Hours after outgoing President Donald Trump left the White House, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States alongside Kamala Harris as his Vice President. Biden and Harris inherit a country splintered by political divides, racial tensions and a botched pandemic response even as COVID-19 continues to ravage communities across America.
His first remarks as president touched on the mayhem that roiled the Capitol two weeks ago, in which supporters of Trump interrupted a joint-Congressional session held to finalize Biden's victory. Biden further implored Americans to "end this uncivil war that pits red against blue."
Trump was the first president in 150 years to not attend his successor's inauguration, though he reportedly left a handwritten note for Biden in the White House.
See the pictures.
Fireworks are displayed over the White House as part of Inauguration Day ceremonies for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Vice-President Kamala Harris and her husband U.S. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff attend the "Celebrating America" event at the Lincoln Memorial after the inauguration in Washington on Jan. 20, 2021. (Photo by JOSHUA ROBERTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden watch a fireworks show on the National Mall from the Truman Balcony at the White House on Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Fireworks light up the sky by the Washington Monument during inauguration ceremonies on Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Joe Biden holds his grandson Beau Biden at the White House on Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Joe Biden speaks during a virtual swearing in ceremony of political appointees from the State Dining Room of the White House on Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
US President Joe Biden sits in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, after being sworn in at the US Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021. (Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images)
President Joe Biden hugs first lady Jill Biden as they prepare to walk into the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, after being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. (Evan Vucci/AP)
President Joe Biden, first lady Dr. Jill Biden and the Biden family walk an abbreviated parade route after Biden's inaugural ceremony, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)
Vice President Kamala Harris (C) and US Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff walk up the stairs of the Eisenhower Building of the White House in Washington, DC, on Jan. 20, 2021. (Nicholas Kamm / AFP via Getty Images)
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden signs documents in the President's Room at the U.S. Capitol following the 59th presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2020. Biden had tweeted shortly after his swearing in ceremony, "There is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crises we face. That's why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families." (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Vice President Kamala Harris leaves after she was inaugurated along with President Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021. (Patrick Semansky/AP)
President Joe Biden embraces Dr. Jill Biden, son Hunter and daughter Ashley after being sworn in during his inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Supporters of President Joseph Biden celebrate as they listen to speak during the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Law enforcement and state officials are on high alert for potentially violent protests as Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States at today's inauguration ceremony. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Dr. Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021, watched by their children Ashley and Hunter. (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States during his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Sonia Sotomayor, associate justice of the Supreme Court, administers the oath of office to Vice President Kamala Harris during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman delivers a poem at the inauguration of President Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Jennifer Lopez performs during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Newly sworn in Vice President Kamala Harris looks back at Jennifer Lopez during the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga hugs former President Barack Obama after the inauguration of President Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga sings the national anthem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021. (Greg Nash/AP)
President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden arrive at Biden's inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Former President Barack Obama greets Vice President-elect Kamala Harris ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Jan. 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Jonathan Ernst/AP)
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff arrive to the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Former President Barack Obama waves as he arrives to the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama arrive at the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush arrive at the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, and Rosario Dawson arrive at the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Former President Bill Clinton arrives with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Vice President Mike Pence arrives before US president-elect Joe Biden is sworn in, Jan. 20, 2021, at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, arrives for the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021.
Doug Emhoff, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, incoming first lady Jill Biden, President-elect Joe Biden and Sen. Roy Blunt arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, Jan. 20, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
President-elect Joe Biden and incoming first lady Jill Biden celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington.
Outgoing President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump speaks briefly at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Jan. 20, 2021.
President Donald Trump speaks briefly before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Jan. 20, 2021.
Outgoing President Donald Trump, center left, and U.S. First Lady Melania Trump arrive to a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Jan. 20, 2021. Trump had listed off a few accomplishments of his administration, including the creation of the Space Force, before he left for Mar-a-Lago.
Marine One carrying President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump as they departed from the White House flies over the U.S. Capitol ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Outgoing President Donald Trump waves as he boards Marine One at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.
Air Force One is prepared for Donald Trump for his last ride as the President of the United States, as flags fly on a stage at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Jan. 20, 2021.
