JD Vance was officially sworn in as the 50th Vice President of the United States on Monday in a ceremony held at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC. Accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their daughter, the 40-year-old Vance became the third-youngest person to hold the office of Vice President.
The oath of office was administered by US Chief Justice John Roberts. Following Vance’s swearing-in, Donald Trump was set to take the oath as the 47th President of the United States, using the same Bible as Abraham Lincoln, according to CNN.
In a ceremonial prelude to the inauguration, tenor Christopher Macchio performed “Oh, America” in the Capitol Rotunda. Trump arrived at the Capitol alongside outgoing President Joe Biden after participating in a traditional tea ceremony at the White House. Biden greeted Trump warmly, saying, “Welcome Home,” and left a letter for his successor in the Oval Office, CNN reported.
After Trump’s swearing-in, he was scheduled to participate in a signing ceremony in the President’s Room, a tradition started by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. During this ceremony, the new president signs nominations, memorandums, or proclamations, marking his first official acts in office.
The inaugural events also included a luncheon and a review of the troops. Trump was then expected to join the inaugural parade to Capitol Hill. Later in the day, he and First Lady Melania Trump were scheduled to attend a signing ceremony at the White House and deliver remarks at the Convention Centre.
The evening’s celebrations included the first dance at the Liberty Ball, followed by appearances at the Commander-in-Chief Ball and the United Station Ball. The day would conclude with the President and First Lady returning to the White House.
Earlier, on January 6, Trump’s election victory was certified without objections from lawmakers, completing the final step in the election process. Trump secured 312 electoral votes to his opponent’s 226, a result formally confirmed during the certification.
