The Washington Monument and the National Mall are visible from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol at the site of the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.
The Washington Monument and the National Mall are visible from the west front of the U.S. Capitol at the site of the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press
Herb Scribner
By Herb Scribner

President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday — but it will be much different than in years past because of the ongoing pandemic.

  • Biden will become president as the coronavirus pandemic has taken more than 400,000 lives in the nation, and as security officials worry about possible domestic terrorism after what occurred at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, according to NBC News.

What will happen Wednesday?

  • Biden and Harris will be sworn in as president and vice president around 10 a.m. MT.
  • Biden will deliver his first remarks as president of the country thereafter.
  • On Wednesday night, Biden and Harris will take part in a virtual television event titled “Celebrating America.”

Any other performances?

Pop stars Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez are expected to perform at the event Wednesday. Rock legend Bruce Springsteen and country superstar Garth Brooks will also perform during Biden’s ceremony.

  • Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem.
  • Lopez and Brooks will join Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in history, for a performance.
  • Springsteen will sing at the “Celebrating America” TV event, which airs at 6:30 p.m. MT.

Details, where and how to watch

  • All major networks will have coverage of the inauguration.
  • Major media networks like CNN, Fox News, Fox Business, MSNBC and Noticias Telemundo will have extended coverage.

How to stream

The following outlets will have streaming options, too. Some of them require trial sign-ups.

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