PRESIDENT Joe Biden will leave the Oval Office today, marking an end to his presidency and time at the forefront of US politics.
The outgoing commander-in-chief, 82, has fulfilled a turbulent four years which included the Covid pandemic, a slew of global conflicts and managing speculation over his mental fitness.
Where will Joe Biden go after the inauguration?
Despite bowing out of the presidency, Joe Biden has hinted that he intends to continue working on foreign and domestic policy.
“Although I’m leaving, you’re stuck with me, I’m not going away,” Biden told The View in September.
“Because there are so many other things I want to do in terms of the Biden Institute Penn on foreign policy [and] the Biden Institute in Delaware on domestic policy to keep the things going that we started, and I think we can get it done,” he said.
On January 20, president-elect Donald Trump will raise his right hand and place his left on a Bible, which is typically held by the incoming First Lady – in this case, Melania Trump.
After that, Trump will recite these words: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Where will Biden live?
Mr Biden looks set to head back to his home state of Delaware with wife Jill.
The couple own two homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach respectively.
Mr and Mrs Biden will also be relieved to drop the weighty responsibilities of leading the country and spend more time with their children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchild.
But the former president will likely still jet into Washington DC every now and then.
Mr Biden may well join other former commanders-in-chief at the ex-presidents’ club.
The cluster of former Democrat and Republican leaders get together at inaugurations, high profile funerals and other significant events.
During public health emergencies, the unique set also join forces to raise money and awareness for affected communities
What did Biden say in his farewell speech?
President Biden made his final public speech to the American people on January 16.
Among other things, the outgoing commander-in-chief heeded warning about an “unchecked” group of super wealthy individuals posing a threat to democracy.
“In the past four years, our democracy has held strong and every day I’ve kept my commitment to be president for all Americans for one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history,” he said.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.
Powerful forces want to wield their unchecked influence, to eliminate the steps we’ve taken to tackle the climate crisis, to serve their own interest for power and profit.
“We must not be bullied into sacrificing the future, the future of our children and our grandchildren, must keep pushing forward and push faster.
“There’s no time to waste.”
He added: “A president’s powers is not unlimited. It’s not absolute and it shouldn’t be.
“And in a democracy, there’s another danger to the concentration of power and wealth.
It erodes the sense of unity and common purpose. It causes distrust and division.”
“Participating in our democracy becomes exhausting and even disillusioning.
