Updated Jan 20, 2021 - Politics & Policy

In photos: The Biden and Harris inauguration

Orion Rummler

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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden watch a fireworks show on the National Mall from the Truman Balcony at the White House January 20 — President Biden and first lady Jill Biden watch a fireworks show on the National Mall from the Truman Balcony at the White House on Wednesday night. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

President Biden signed his first executive orders into law from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening after walking in a brief inaugural parade to the White House with first lady Jill Biden and members of their family. He was inaugurated with Vice President Kamala Harris at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday morning.

Why it matters: Many of Biden's day one actions immediately reverse key Trump administration policies, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization, launching a racial equity initiative and reversing the Muslim travel ban.

Lawmakers gathered for the peaceful transfer of power two weeks after an unprecedented siege on the Capitol building by Trump supporters to disrupt the certification of Biden's victory. Trump did not attend Wednesday's ceremony.

In photos

In this screengrab, Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff watch fireworks during the Celebrating America Primetime Special on January 20 — Vice President Kamala Harris and first gentleman Doug Emhoff watch fireworks during the Celebrating America Primetime Special. Photo: Handout/Biden Inaugural Committee via Getty Images

Biden steps out of "The Beast" to join a brief inaugural parade. — Biden steps out of "The Beast" to join a brief inaugural parade. Photo: Biden Inaugural Committee via Getty Images

Photo of Joe Biden signing an executive order in the Oval Office — Biden signs one of a series of first-day orders. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty

Photo of a bust and framed photos sitting in the Oval Office — Photos of Biden and his family in the Oval Office. Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty

Photo of Joe Biden with one hand on a stack of executive orders in the Oval Office — Biden and the stack of executive orders. Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty

Joe and Jill Biden walk in the inaugural parade — The Biden family walks the abbreviated parade route after inauguration. Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Photo of Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff watching troops march in front of the U.S. Capitol — The new president and vice president watch as troops march in front of the Capitol. Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Biden and Harris pay their respects in front of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. — Biden and Harris attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Photo of Jill Biden bending over to embrace Joe Biden — The president is embraced by Jill Biden after taking the oath of office. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Photo of Kamala Harris embracing Doug Emhoff — Harris with Emhoff after being sworn in as the 49th vice president. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Kamala Harris is sworn in — Harris is sworn in as vice president. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Amanda Gorman — Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Lady Gaga in a gown — Lady Gaga at the ceremony. Photo: Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Biden and Obama — Biden greets former President Obama after his inauguration. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

The U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/pool/AFP via Getty Image

Joe and Jill Biden — The Bidens at the ceremony. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama — Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images

Kamala Harris greets Mike Pence — Harris greets Vice President Mike Pence as she arrives at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Chief Justice Roberts — Chief Justice John Roberts leads the U.S. Supreme Court Justices at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Mitt Romney — Republican Sen. Mitt Romney at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Greg Nash/pool/AFP via Getty Images

Ted Cruz in a face mask — GOP Sen. Ted Cruz wearing a face mask that reads "Come and Take It", at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20. Cruz led a group of senators to oppose certifying state Electoral College votes for Biden. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Hillary and Bill Clinton — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Jan. 20. Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Obama at the ceremony. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — U.S. Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Lindsey Graham — GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham at the U.S. Capitol. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

National Guard members stationed near the Capitol — National Guard members at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Bernie Sanders — Sen. Bernie Sanders on the phone at the Capitol on Jan. 20. Photo: Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Mitch McConnell — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao at the inauguration. Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo/pool/AFP via Getty Images

Mike Pence — Pence at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Former President George W. Bush — Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush at the inauguration. Photo: Patrick Semansky/pool/AFP via Getty Images

Klobuchar — Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar speaks at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

The lectern — The podium at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images.

The Capitol building decorated in American flags — Harris applauds as Biden arrives for his inauguration. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Read Biden's full inaugural speech:

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more photos.

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