Biden inauguration LIVE updates: POTUS says 'time to move forward', leaders congratulate

Newly Elected President Joe Biden's team is producing a celebrity-filled primetime show tonight as the traditional celebrations have been tonned down due to the pandemic. The show will be hosted by Tom Hanks and will be aired on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and MSNBC from 8:30pm to 10pm ET. It will be featuring performances from Jon Bon Jovi, who campaigned with Biden in Pennsylvania, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons.  

The show "Celebrating America" will also feature remarks from the President and the Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Senate confirmed Biden’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines. The former CIA deputy director will become a core member of Biden’s security team, overseeing the 18 agencies. She was confirmed 84-10.

During the press conference, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Joe Biden's first call to a foreign leader will be to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She also said that the newly elected President has plans to call various US allies. 

White House press secretary Jen Psaki is conducting the Biden administration's first ever press briefing. 

In a virtual ceremony, President Joe Biden swore in presidential appointees from the White House. 

President Joe Biden signed three executive orders just few hours after being sworn in. The orders involve wearing masks on federal property, ensuring racial equality and rejoining the Paris climate accord. He termed these moves as "starting points" that will fulfill the promises that he made during the campaign. 

Just hours after swearing in, President Joe Biden has sent notice to the United Nations saying that the US will be reentering the Paris climate accord. As per experts, rejoining the accord is a significant step by the Biden administration. 

President Joe Biden's White House released list of people who will lead federal agencies on an acting basis. This comes when he is awaiting confirmation of his Cabinet picks. As per a statement by the White House, most names that have been announced are career civil servant. 

Vice President Kamala Harris has returned to the Capitol to swear in three new senators- Georgia's Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock and Alex Padilla. 

According to royal source, Queen Elizabeth sent a private congratulatory message to US President Joe Biden ahead of the inauguration. The letter's content has not been disclosed. 

While taking oath at the US Capitol, which became the target of riots, just two weeks earlier, Joe Biden said, "democracy has prevailed", says AP. 

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are joined by Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton at a wreath-laying ceremony, taking place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. 

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulates 46th US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration. "Here’s to a healthier, fairer, safer, more sustainable world!", says Tedros. 

In a message which was sent minutes after the second Catholic US president was sworn in, Pope Francis told Joe Biden that he was praying to bring reconciliation in the United States and all across the world. Francis said that he hopes that Biden will work towards a society marked by true justice, freedom and respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor and vulnerable people. 

According to WAFA, the Palestinian official news agency, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated President Biden and Vice President Harris. Abbas said, "We look forward to working together for peace and stability in the region and the world", reports news agency WAFA. 

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff participate in a pass in review on the East front of the Capitol with members of the military.

US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden along with Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff travel to Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

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French President Emmanuel Macron said, "I welcome the return of the United States to the Paris Climate Agreement: Welcome back!"

"It is together that we can succeed in meeting the challenges of our time. It is all together that we can change the climate situation by taking action for our planet," he added.

As per reports, before leaving office, former US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum to extend US Secret Service protection by six months for all his children, according to a senior US official.

The whitehouse.gov website has been updated to reflect Joe Biden is the new President.

Several Republican lawmakers praised Joe Biden's inaugural speech. While  Senator Romney reportedly said that Biden’s speech was “very powerful,” Senator Pat Toomey hailed Biden’s call for unity. Meanwhile, Senator Lisa Murkowski said Biden’s remarks were well done and “what we needed.”

Biden participates in the signing ceremony at the US Capitol. He's signing Inauguration Day Proclamation, Nominations to Cabinet Positions, Nominations to sub-Cabinet Positions. after this, he will be will review the readiness of military troops on the East Front of the Capitol with every branch of military represented at the event.

The US Vice President  Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff are escorting former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence down the steps of the US Capitol after the inauguration ceremony.

Amanda Gorman, the nation's first-ever youth poet laureate, delivered a message of the country's resilience through her poem 'The Hill We Climb' at US President Biden's inauguration ceremony.

Being American is more than a pride we inherit. It's the past we step into and how we repair it," Gorman said.

"We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be, a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free. We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will become the future," she continued.

Country music star Garth Brooks performed "Amazing Grace" following President Joe Biden's inaugural address and said, "I'm gonna ask you to sing this last burst with me, the people at home, the people at work, as one united," 

Joe Biden, who has officially become the  46th president of the United States, said in the inaugural address that "This is democracy's day, a day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve."

He said, "Today we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause — the cause of democracy. The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We've learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed."

Lady Gaga performs US national anthem.

As per reports, Donald Trump has arrived at Mar-a-Lago estate on an island off the coast of Palm Beach in Florida which will be his permanent home as his tumultuous presidency comes to an end.

Joe Biden inaugurated as 46th US President and was sworn in by Chief Supreme Court Justice John Roberts.

Meanwhile, deputy press secretary Judd Deere reportedly said in a statement to pool that "President Donald J. Trump granted a full pardon to Albert J. Pirro, Jr." who was convicted on conspiracy and tax evasion charges after improperly deducting $1.2 million of his personal expenses in business write-offs.

US media reports that Kamala Harris is expected to take her oath of office today using two Bibles. One of them previously belonged to a former neighbour and her family friend, Regina Shelton, and another belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated President-elect Joe Biden on inauguration day.

"I warmly congratulate Joe Biden on his historic inauguration as 46th president of the United States and look forward to working closely with his new administration as we defeat Covid and build back better from the pandemic," Johnson said in a statement.

Only through international cooperation can we truly overcome the shared challenges which we face," he added.

President-elect Joe Biden's motorcade has arrived at the US Capitol ahead of his inauguration and Congress members are expected to greet him upon his entrance to the Capitol building.

Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be escorted to inauguration ceremony by Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer.

Even though Donald Trump left the Washington DC area hours before the inauguration was scheduled to begin, outgoing vice president Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his wife, the former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao have arrived at the US Capitol.

Former Presidents and First Ladies, Barack and Michelle Obama & Bill and Hillary Clinton have also arrived at the US Capitol for Biden-Harris inauguration for the 46th US administration.

Watch live here

Joe Biden and US First Lady-elect Jill Biden, Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman-elect Douglas Emhoff attend church service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

CNN reports citing a person familiar with the matter that outgoing US President Donald Trump has left a note for President-elect Joe Biden. However, the contents of the note were not immediately clear. Earlier, in his last address as the president of the United States, Trump refrained from congratulating Biden and vice president-elect Harris but said: "I wish the administration great success" before adding that he is sure they will be successful owing to the "great foundation" laid by the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, Trump’s era in Washington is over as he has left the White House for the last time as the President. According to CNN, Trump and his wife Melania are being flown in Marin One to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland where he will be holding of a “sending off” ceremony, which was due to start at 8:00am (local time). During his departure, the outgoing President spoke to reporters and said that it was “great honour” for him to serve the country.