this is bbc news, i'm laura trevelyan in washington as president biden takes office. we've learned again that democracy is precious. democracy is fragile, and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed! on capitol hill in a fortified washington, mr biden is sworn in as the 46th president as donald trump skips the ceremony. kamala harris is sworn in as vice president, making history as the first woman ever to hold the post. president biden gets straight to work, signing a blizzard of executive orders on climate change, immigration and the mandatory wearing of masks. and the democrats take

control of the senate, swearing in new members — giving president biden a narrow majority in both chambers of congress. welcome to washington where the new president of the united states is at his desk already. minutes after arriving at the white house, joe biden signed executive orders, rejoining the paris climate accord and ending president trump's controversial travel ban. in the senate, power has shifted to the democrats too, as the new members from georgia were sworn in. all this after an inauguration without the public, amid intense security after the storming of the capitol. mr biden called for unity, and an end to the nation's �*uncivil war�*. here's our north america editorjon sopel.

so far, so normal. ladies and gentlemen, the president—elect of the united states. this is what america does every four years but everything today was exceptional given the last two weeks, given the pandemic and the security situation, given the presidency that was ending. at first glance, the west of the vtb capital looks much as it always does but look towards the washington monument and the normal forest of people has been replaced by a garden of flags. a socially distance to inauguration for a nation tiering itself apart. the oath of office, taken by the man who is now tasked with healing the nation's wounds. i do solemnly square... that i will faithfully execute the i will faithfully execute. the office of president of the united states. the platform where he stood two years ago was the staging post for the assault

on congress, mob ruled. today, democracy had come through but it was a close run thing. we have learned, again, that democracy is precious, democracy is fragile and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. he warned america was in the midst of a winter apparel and as any new president... had to confront such an array of problems, number one, turbulence, racial unrest. inflamed by donald trump's insistence the election was stolen. today, on this january day, my whole soul is in this. bringing america together, uniting our people, uniting our nation and i ask every american tojoin me in this course. joe biden never mentioned donald

trump by name but it was a firm repudiation of everything he stood for that he was careful to reach out to the former president's supporters. we must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. we can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. at 78 years old, joe biden becomes the oldest man to become president but the real history is being made by his deputy, kamala harris, the first woman vice president, the first of black and indian heritage, an example of the american dream. so help me god. applause. though covid has brought drabness, this inauguration had sparkle, with lady gaga complete with gold microphone singing the national anthem. # what so proudly we hailed at the

twilight last gleaming. and jennifer lopez, too. # lets get loud. the political great and good were out in force, three former presidents in attendance, republican and democrat and former vice president mike pence was there as well, choosing the inauguration over a rival attraction a few miles away and that is because donald trump had decided to break with 150 years of tradition and snubjoe biden. normally, the outgoing president meets the successor at the front door and rides with him to the capital but mr trump was slipping out the back, still incapable of accepting he lost the election. though the former reality tv has turned film director orchestrated his own departure. he awarded himself a military sendoff, complete

with 21 gun salute and his parting shot will have delighted his supporters and horrified his detractors. and goodbye, we love you, we will be back in some form. and the music was spot on as he flew off on air force one for the last time. # it was my way... #. by the time now ex—president trump arrived in florida, maloney went from sombre black to beach club chic. never comfortable in washington, she might find the transformation a whole lot easier than her husband. joe biden is now in the white house and he wants to hit the ground running. there will be a flurry of executive orders to reverse a lot of trump era policies but policy always change with a new president. what will be so different is the manner of governing. crazy town is likely

to be replaced by dullsville but maybe that is what america needs right now. jon sopel, bbc news, washington. let's go live now to president biden who is speaking at the white house. i really mean it. so you should not be doing this unless you feel it. i always say, a simple proposition, i trust people more with the idea and concern starts in their gut, because their heart and it to articulate it by a good brain. rather than the person who thinks of it and electorally but never feels it. the people you can count on other people it starts in their gut, works to which their heart and have the intellectual capacity to do what needs to be done. and so folks can we have a lot going on, a lot of opportunities, we can meet this existential threat of climate change. i really believe it. again, the world has figured out, the united states has figured out it

makes a gigantic difference. makes a gigantic difference, these unseen threats. here you can't breathe, living and fence line communities. so much more we can do, such an awful lot to do but i know you, i know your heart, your dedication, your commitment to this nation. and i know you can do it, and we are going to do it by leading with one core american value. humility. trust, collegiality, diversity, competency and family. i want to thank yourfamilies for the thank your families for the sacrifices. but thank yourfamilies for the sacrifices. but i'm thank your families for the sacrifices. but i'm not thank yourfamilies for the sacrifices. but i'm notjoking when i say this, if you ever are working with me and i hear you treat another colleague with disrespect of talk down to someone, i promise you i will fire you on the spot. on the spot. know if commands or bites.

everybody, everybody is entitled to be treated with decency and dignity. that's been missing in a big way in the last four years. cathy has gone through all your backgrounds and talk to me about you, i'm confident you have the capacity to do it. we are going to bejudged you have the capacity to do it. we are going to be judged whether you have the capacity to do it. we are going to bejudged whether or not we restore the integrity and the competency of this government. i need your help badly. last thing i will say, i'm going to make mistakes. i'm gonna make mistakes and when they make them i will acknowledge them. and i will tell you. i will need your help to help me correct them. we are not going to walk away, we are going to take responsibility. that's what we do, that's what you do, that's what so many of you have done it throughout your career and expect you to do it again. so i'm happy we are starting, have tojoin all of again. so i'm happy we are starting, have to join all of you, there's almost a thousand of you on this call, and yourfamilies. so thank you, thank you, thank you very much. thatin you, thank you, thank you very much. that in this nation everyone, and i mean everyone, is given an

opportunity and that's who we are as a country. and that's who we have always been thought to be. i was asked a long time ago when i was with the president of china, and i was in the tibetan plateau with him, and he asked me in a private dinner and he asked me in a private dinner and we had an interpreter, he said can you define america for me? and i said yes, and i meant it. is that i can do in one word. one word. possibilities. possibilities. we believe anything is possible. if we set our mind to it. unlike any other country in the world. possibilities. you are my possibilities. you are the way we are going to get this done, i monitored to now administer the oath of office to each of you, and if you will, raise your right hand and repeat after me. i can state your name. do solemnly swear

that i will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies foreign and domestic. that will bear true faith and allegiance the same. that i without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. and that i will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which i am about to enter. so help me god. thank you. welcome, and as my mum would say, god love you all, we've got a lot of work to do. a lot of work to do. thank you for being

willing tojoin. bye—bye. ok? find willing to “oin. bye-bye. 0k? and that is willing tojoin. bye—bye. ok? and that is presidentjoe biden there, just swearing in new members of the white house staff, he said there were more than 1000 members of staff on that call. got them there to swear that oath to defend the constitution of the united states telling staff members that they have a lot to do, that they must serve with humility and also if they don't treat colleagues with respect he will fire them, it was now to our correspondent who it's in washington for us. president brian tried to draw a contrast with his predecessor, president trump. == predecessor, president trump. —— president biden. absolutely, he said we were _ president biden. absolutely, he said we were bringing back integrity to the government, no politics or complaint _ the government, no politics or complaint with the size of his win, no beef— complaint with the size of his win, no beef with the intelligence community can be the first few hours

of the _ community can be the first few hours of the president trump public presidency. so quite a stark difference between how president trump _ difference between how president trump began his administration and the weight— trump began his administration and the weightjoe biden is. even admitted that he will make mistakes, and when _ admitted that he will make mistakes, and when he does so will try to correct — and when he does so will try to correct them and let me know when that happens. this cannot be more different— that happens. this cannot be more different from the last four years. and larry. — different from the last four years. and larry, the new president has got straight to work setting a blizzard of executive orders, and we are also going to get a briefing in the next hourfrom the new going to get a briefing in the next hour from the new press secretary. yes, expected to have a press briefing — yes, expected to have a press briefing within the next 45 minutes or so _ briefing within the next 45 minutes or so. already been telegraphing some _ or so. already been telegraphing some of— or so. already been telegraphing some of the new changes the ministration is bringing in, for instance — ministration is bringing in, for instance even the president trump 'ust instance even the president trump just before he left office, said that the — just before he left office, said that the measures will be lifting the travel ban for anyone coming from _ the travel ban for anyone coming from europe and brazil, because of the number— from europe and brazil, because of the number one restrictions, from the number one restrictions, from the 25th _ the number one restrictions, from the 25th i — the number one restrictions, from the 25th i believe already tweeted that that —

the 25th i believe already tweeted that that will not be happening. it will be _ that that will not be happening. it will be getting those restrictions in place — will be getting those restrictions in place and for the first so we will hear— in place and for the first so we will hear how this administration will hear how this administration will be _ will hear how this administration will be dealing with the press. they almost _ will be dealing with the press. they almost disappeared completely in the last few— almost disappeared completely in the last few months, and what they did there _ last few months, and what they did there were — last few months, and what they did there were quite adversarial. the last one — there were quite adversarial. the iast one for— there were quite adversarial. the last one for president trump was also an— last one for president trump was also an advisor to the campaign and sometimes — also an advisor to the campaign and sometimes is not quite clear what she's— sometimes is not quite clear what she's talking about advisor to the campaign — she's talking about advisor to the campaign or talking as press secretary? that relationship is going — secretary? that relationship is going to — secretary? that relationship is going to be quite different whenjen psaki takes the briefing room within the next _ psaki takes the briefing room within the next hour or so. as psaki takes the briefing room within the next hour or so.— the next hour or so. as you were 'ust the next hour or so. as you were just saying _ the next hour or so. as you were just saying that. _ the next hour or so. as you were just saying that, president - the next hour or so. as you were just saying that, president biden was there signing executive orders almost as soon as he walked into the white house. he confirmed that donald trump had left him a note. as is customary, from one departing president to another. but he woudln't reveal its contents. the president wrote a very generous letter. because it was private, i will not talk about it until i

talk to him, but it was generous. so, larry, that was generous, that which we know from president biden, the note he got from president trump, and also we were told that it was the outgoing chief of staff who really had to prod to mr trump to write that note. because of course the president was not at the inauguration, was he? absolutely. and so that's _ inauguration, was he? absolutely. and so that's why _ inauguration, was he? absolutely. and so that's why the _ inauguration, was he? absolutely. and so that's why the contents - inauguration, was he? absolutely. and so that's why the contents ofl and so that's why the contents of this letter— and so that's why the contents of this letter is the subject of much rumour— this letter is the subject of much rumour in— this letter is the subject of much rumour in washington tonight. people want to— rumour in washington tonight. people want to know what president trump wrote _ want to know what president trump wrote there, generous how he's describing — wrote there, generous how he's describing up or not saying exactly what it _ describing up or not saying exactly what it was — describing up or not saying exactly what it was in there. was president trump _ what it was in there. was president trump magnanimous for once considering in his farewell address it and _ considering in his farewell address it and even— considering in his farewell address it and even mentionjoe biden by name _ it and even mentionjoe biden by name. how magnanimous can be? in the previous— name. how magnanimous can be? in the previous presidents have been quite kind to _ previous presidents have been quite kind to their successors. but

president _ kind to their successors. but president trump, given how until the last minute _ president trump, given how until the last minute declared until he won the presidency did not. you know, you and _ the presidency did not. you know, you and i— the presidency did not. you know, you and i both that we will miss the tweets. _ you and i both that we will miss the tweets. so — you and i both that we will miss the tweets, so many new stories that were _ tweets, so many new stories that were launched by the tweets, and it will be _ were launched by the tweets, and it will be no _ were launched by the tweets, and it will be no more tweets.— will be no more tweets. larry, this is true and — will be no more tweets. larry, this is true and already _ will be no more tweets. larry, this is true and already there _ will be no more tweets. larry, this is true and already there is - will be no more tweets. larry, this l is true and already there is someone else in charge of that white house twitter account and it's a very different tone. soon after the inauguration vice president harris swore three new demcratic senators into office, giving the democratic party the control of both chambers of congress, and the presidency, for the first time in a decade. the new arrangement makes democratic senator chuck schumer the majority leader, he gave a short speech saying that the inauguration had given him hope sot this was an inauguration unlike most others _ this was an inauguration unlike most others krauser— this was an inauguration unlike most others. krauser customarily- this was an inauguration unlike most others. krauser customarily line - this was an inauguration unlike most others. krauser customarily line the i others. krauser customarily line the national— others. krauser customarily line the national matt— others. krauser customarily line the national mall were _ others. krauser customarily line the national mall were absent _ others. krauser customarily line the national mall were absent at - others. krauser customarily line the national mall were absent at a - national mall were absent at a reminder— national mall were absent at a reminderthat_ national mall were absent at a reminderthat our— national mall were absent at a reminder that our nation - national mall were absent at a reminder that our nation is - national mall were absent at a l reminder that our nation is still national mall were absent at a . reminder that our nation is still in the throes — reminder that our nation is still in the throes of _ reminder that our nation is still in the throes of a _

reminder that our nation is still in the throes of a deadly _ reminder that our nation is still in the throes of a deadly pandemic. | reminder that our nation is still in - the throes of a deadly pandemic. the presence _ the throes of a deadly pandemic. the presence of— the throes of a deadly pandemic. the presence of thousands _ the throes of a deadly pandemic. the presence of thousands of— the throes of a deadly pandemic. the presence of thousands of national- presence of thousands of national guardsmen, — presence of thousands of national guardsmen, police _ presence of thousands of national guardsmen, police and _ presence of thousands of national guardsmen, police and secret- presence of thousands of national- guardsmen, police and secret service was a _ guardsmen, police and secret service was a reminder— guardsmen, police and secret service was a reminder that _ guardsmen, police and secret service was a reminder that two _ guardsmen, police and secret service was a reminder that two weeks - guardsmen, police and secret service was a reminder that two weeks ago, i was a reminder that two weeks ago, in this— was a reminder that two weeks ago, in this very— was a reminder that two weeks ago, in this very room. _ was a reminder that two weeks ago, in this very room, and _ was a reminder that two weeks ago, in this very room, and on _ was a reminder that two weeks ago, in this very room, and on those - was a reminder that two weeks ago, in this very room, and on those veryj in this very room, and on those very steps _ in this very room, and on those very steps where — in this very room, and on those very steps where president _ in this very room, and on those very steps where president biden - in this very room, and on those very steps where president biden took. in this very room, and on those very. steps where president biden took the oath, a _ steps where president biden took the oath, a mob — steps where president biden took the oath, a mob of— steps where president biden took the oath, a mob of violent— steps where president biden took the oath, a mob of violent criminals- oath, a mob of violent criminals tried _ oath, a mob of violent criminals tried to — oath, a mob of violent criminals tried to dismantle _ oath, a mob of violent criminals tried to dismantle our— oath, a mob of violent criminals. tried to dismantle our democracy, our sacred — tried to dismantle our democracy, our sacred democracy, _ tried to dismantle our democracy, our sacred democracy, brick- tried to dismantle our democracy, our sacred democracy, brick by. tried to dismantle our democracy, . our sacred democracy, brick by brick and would _ our sacred democracy, brick by brick and would try— our sacred democracy, brick by brick and would try again _ our sacred democracy, brick by brick and would try again if _ our sacred democracy, brick by brick and would try again if they— our sacred democracy, brick by brick and would try again if they could. i and would try again if they could. but as— and would try again if they could. but as president _ and would try again if they could. but as president biden _ and would try again if they could. but as president biden said - and would try again if they could. but as president biden said a - and would try again if they could. j but as president biden said a few hours _ but as president biden said a few hours ago. — but as president biden said a few hours ago. today— but as president biden said a few hours ago, today democracy- but as president biden said a few hours ago, today democracy hasl hours ago, today democracy has prevailed — hours ago, today democracy has prevailed the _ hours ago, today democracy has prevailed. the will— hours ago, today democracy has prevailed. the will of— hours ago, today democracy has prevailed. the will of the - hours ago, today democracy hasj prevailed. the will of the people hours ago, today democracy has . prevailed. the will of the people is heated. _ prevailed. the will of the people is heated. the — prevailed. the will of the people is heated, the peaceful— prevailed. the will of the people is heated, the peaceful transfer- prevailed. the will of the people is heated, the peaceful transfer of. heated, the peaceful transfer of power _ heated, the peaceful transfer of power fulfilled. _ heated, the peaceful transfer of power fulfilled. it _ heated, the peaceful transfer of power fulfilled. it takes - heated, the peaceful transfer of power fulfilled. it takes a - heated, the peaceful transfer of power fulfilled. it takes a lot. heated, the peaceful transfer of. power fulfilled. it takes a lot more than a _ power fulfilled. it takes a lot more than a band — power fulfilled. it takes a lot more than a band of— power fulfilled. it takes a lot more than a band of hooligans _ power fulfilled. it takes a lot more than a band of hooligans to - power fulfilled. it takes a lot more than a band of hooligans to bring i than a band of hooligans to bring our grants— than a band of hooligans to bring our grants democracy— than a band of hooligans to bring our grants democracy down. - the senate majority leader there. i'm joined byjanet napolitano who was us secretary of homeland security under president obama. thank you for so much forjoining us. president biden said today that democracy prevailed, but what symbol do you think it sent to the world from the fact that the peaceful

transfer of power had to be secured by the presence of so many members of the national guard? weill. by the presence of so many members of the national guard?— of the national guard? well, it was a safe inauguration, _ of the national guard? well, it was a safe inauguration, and _ of the national guard? well, it was a safe inauguration, and it - of the national guard? well, it was a safe inauguration, and it was - a safe inauguration, and it was highlighted by a wonderful speech by now president biden. the capital area was— now president biden. the capital area was secure, as it needed to be, but i _ area was secure, as it needed to be, but i think— area was secure, as it needed to be, but i think it — area was secure, as it needed to be, but i think it showed the world that american _ but i think it showed the world that american democracy is resilient. it took one _ american democracy is resilient. it took one on— american democracy is resilient. it took one on the chin two weeks ago but did _ took one on the chin two weeks ago but did not— took one on the chin two weeks ago but did not delay the certification of the _ but did not delay the certification of the electoral college vote, and it did _ of the electoral college vote, and it did not — of the electoral college vote, and it did not delay or interrupt the inauguration of our new president. so yes— inauguration of our new president. so yes it _ inauguration of our new president. so yes it was, as i said, a hit on the chin. — so yes it was, as i said, a hit on the chin. but— so yes it was, as i said, a hit on the chin, but not in knockout punch. by the chin, but not in knockout punch. by any— the chin, but not in knockout punch. by any stretch of the imagination. as someone that has served with now president biden, he's been a public life are almost half a century, what

does it mean to him this day to become president on his third attempt? i become president on his third attemt? ., . attempt? i cannot imagine the feelinus attempt? i cannot imagine the feelings that _ attempt? i cannot imagine the feelings that president - attempt? i cannot imagine the feelings that president biden l attempt? i cannot imagine the - feelings that president biden must have _ feelings that president biden must have. been through so much in his life, have. been through so much in his life. so— have. been through so much in his life. so many— have. been through so much in his life, so many ups and so many tragedies _ life, so many ups and so many tragedies including the death of his first wife _ tragedies including the death of his first wife and a daughter, and just a few— first wife and a daughter, and just a few years — first wife and a daughter, and just a few years ago the death of his oldest _ a few years ago the death of his oldest son. and he has had to withdraw— oldest son. and he has had to withdraw from the three previous presidential cycles, and so this time _ presidential cycles, and so this time he — presidential cycles, and so this time he was the perfect candidate. the timing — time he was the perfect candidate. the timing was right, and i along with millions of other americans are thrilled _ with millions of other americans are thrilled that he is our president. hes— thrilled that he is our president. he's got— thrilled that he is our president. he's got right to work, president biden, citing this blizzard of executive orders, but is that probably a reflection of the fact

that democrats of only the narrowest of majorities in congress? trio. i of ma'orities in congress? no, i think of majorities in congress? no, i think it's a _ of majorities in congress? no, i think it's a function _ of majorities in congress? no, i think it's a function of _ of majorities in congress? no, i think it's a function of the - of majorities in congress? no, i think it's a function of the fact l think it's a function of the fact that— think it's a function of the fact that he — think it's a function of the fact that he could do things by executive order— that he could do things by executive order very— that he could do things by executive order very quickly. and he wanted to -et order very quickly. and he wanted to get off— order very quickly. and he wanted to get off to _ order very quickly. and he wanted to get off to a _ order very quickly. and he wanted to get off to a quick start, he wanted to undo— get off to a quick start, he wanted to undo some of the actions of the trump _ to undo some of the actions of the trump administration, he wanted to -et trump administration, he wanted to get right— trump administration, he wanted to get right on— trump administration, he wanted to get right on the covid virus, and with— get right on the covid virus, and with the — get right on the covid virus, and with the country is going to do there — with the country is going to do there so _ with the country is going to do there. so it was a matter of things he could _ there. so it was a matter of things he could do— there. so it was a matter of things he could do quickly, the right thing to do— he could do quickly, the right thing to do that — he could do quickly, the right thing to do that focus on the issues that he wants— to do that focus on the issues that he wants to — to do that focus on the issues that he wants to focus on while the legislative cycle begins. janet, thank ou legislative cycle begins. janet, thank you so — legislative cycle begins. janet, thank you so much _ legislative cycle begins. janet, thank you so much for- legislative cycle begins. janet, thank you so much forjoiningl legislative cycle begins. janet, i thank you so much forjoining us. thank you. among president biden's first actions was to make wearing face—coverings compulsory, on federal property — part of his administrations effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic which has cliamed the lives of more

than 400,000 americans. joining me now is dr payal patel, an infectious diseases physician at the university of michigan. thank you so much forjoining us. do you think this is really going to make a difference, a mask mandate on federal property, not an national mask mandate? i federal property, not an national mask mandate?— federal property, not an national mask mandate? ,, ,, ., mask mandate? i think you know the federal government _ mask mandate? i think you know the federal government is _ mask mandate? i think you know the federal government is a _ mask mandate? i think you know the federal government is a role - mask mandate? i think you know the federal government is a role model. federal government is a role model for private property and other places in the us, and so it's more of may be an attitude shift that on federal property a mask is going to be necessary. we know that despite some of the good news that has come out with people starting to get vaccinated, we are still having major hotspots in many states. i think it might be a small drop, but important and significant move. jae important and significant move. joe

biden does want to vaccinate 100 million americans in his first 100 days. it's been patchy can be the beginning of the vaccine roll—out, what can he really do to speeded up? yeah, i think that it's an important goal, and even if the country gets to 90 million, that would be so much better than the pace that we have been going at right now. there's a lot of factors involved here, it's notjust lot of factors involved here, it's not just a supply lot of factors involved here, it's notjust a supply issue. we've had supplies, not getting into people public arms. so it's kind of all along the chain and my hope is that the federal government is going to use kind of a multifaceted approach to try to work at this. they are going to have to work at the local level helping pharmacies get more doses, helping clinics get more doses, helping clinics get more doses, and then kind of a larger level. in boston we know that fenway stadium, a baseball stadium is going to be used to help with mass vaccination. i think is going to be a lot of different ways to try to

get to that goal.— a lot of different ways to try to net to that coal. ., ~' ,, ,., . get to that goal. thank you so much for 'oinin: get to that goal. thank you so much forjoining us- _ ron bonjean was an adviser for the trump transition team and served as lead spokesman in both the house of representatives and senate. thank you forjoining us. do you think it would have served, now former president trump a better had he attended the inauguration today? that's a good question. i think he made the right decision by not attending. a lot of attention would have been placed on president trump, and while it was seen as a snob, and it was a snobby, you know protocol states that he should've gone, in the end i think after everything that has happened, it was probably best to have him not there, and have it completely focused on biden's inauguration. find it completely focused on biden's inauguration.— it completely focused on biden's inau:uration. . ., inauguration. and when he said that he will be back— inauguration. and when he said that he will be back in _ inauguration. and when he said that he will be back in some _ inauguration. and when he said that

he will be back in some form, - inauguration. and when he said that he will be back in some form, whatl he will be back in some form, what did you take that to mean?- he will be back in some form, what did you take that to mean? that's a very curious — did you take that to mean? that's a very curious thing. _ did you take that to mean? that's a very curious thing. i _ did you take that to mean? that's a very curious thing. i have _ did you take that to mean? that's a very curious thing. i have seen - did you take that to mean? that's a very curious thing. i have seen that| very curious thing. i have seen that he has been exploring potentially starting a new party called the patriot party, that was broken in the wall streetjournal, and the last day or so. i'm not sure what form that would take if would be a political party or if you would start some type of trump news network, who knows. one thing for sure is we have not seen the last of president trump, he will try to come you know, get involved in public life at some point somehow meaning that, you know, he someone that loves attention. as we have set for years, he's an audience of one. not being part of the conversation is not something he's going to be used too. i think it's something many americans, you know, would like to see, wanted to see some change but i think he might be back. you see, wanted to see some change but i think he might be back.— think he might be back. you are there in virginia, _

think he might be back. you are there in virginia, you _ think he might be back. you are there in virginia, you can - think he might be back. you are| there in virginia, you can already feel the change in mood, can't you come in the washington area know that the president is gone. in a very different administration has taken over. this very different administration has taken over-— taken over. as think you seen a eaceful taken over. as think you seen a peaceful transfer _ taken over. as think you seen a peaceful transfer of _ taken over. as think you seen a peaceful transfer of power - taken over. as think you seen a | peaceful transfer of power which taken over. as think you seen a l peaceful transfer of power which i think to the relief of many of us in the washington area took place. and what we are likely going to see our a normalised decision—making process. everything is not stopping read the president desk with piles of paper president trump making decisions at the last minute. we are probably going to see much more of the conventional style or process, i really appreciated biden's speech argue about unity and this difficult time. he is going to have challenges ahead of him focusing on defeating the coronavirus, and stimulating the economy back going again. so as president bush said to president clinton left in the oval office for him on the transfer of power, president bush said your success is

our success. president bush said your success is our success-— our success. sorry to cut you off there, thank— our success. sorry to cut you off there, thank you _ our success. sorry to cut you off there, thank you so _ our success. sorry to cut you off there, thank you so much - our success. sorry to cut you off there, thank you so much for i our success. sorry to cut you off - there, thank you so much forjoining us. you are watching bbc news as presidentjoe biden takes the reins of power. hello, and we yet have more severe weather in our forecast for thursday. we start the day still with the met office amber warning in force for heavy rain across northern england. that will lapse through the morning but, obviously, the flooding situation lags somewhat behind the falling rain, so i don't anticipate the flood warnings going up once again across england. and then for scotland, we have an amber warning for the risk of disruption across the borders where heavy snow is set to fall accompanied by strong winds. the reason for all of these problems is storm christoph, this deep area of low pressure. it's now pulling off into the north sea but behind it, we've dragged down some cold air all the way south from the arctic right the way across the uk, and that gives us a cold start to thursday.

it means ice is possible, well, just about anywhere — a lot of surface water lying around aside from where we see showers falling first thing. but wintry weather for scotland the biggest issue through the course of the day. the rain, improving across northern england. still some showers around here, though. still some wintry, even as far south as the southern pennines, perhaps the odd one getting into the peaks. to the far south of the uk, perhaps some rain grazing the south coast. much of england and wales seeing a dry and sunny day but feeling chillier certainly. northern ireland largely fine. scotland keeps on packing in those wintry showers even overnight thursday into friday as christoph pulls off towards scandinavia. there will be some, as well, for northern ireland, a few more for northern england but scotland with the greatest risk of piling up some more snowfall. a widespread frost, though, takes us into friday. so, again with that surface water sitting around across many parts of the uk, could be ice just about anywhere as the day gets under way. friday, quite a bit of sunshine for england and wales. a few showers of rain

running into the south. some more wintry showers though for northern england grazing the north of northern ireland, and across scotland. but friday, in contrast to the last few days, a much quieter day. as for the weekend, low pressure still to the north west. we feed in some weather systems around it through the course of the weekend. don't put too much stake on the exact detail of where these are pushing through but you can see white there. those weather systems are set to interact with the very cold air. hard to put the detail on them because they are quite small, but the upshot is we will all be sitting in the colder air this weekend. and if those features do run in where you are, you could see some snow.

this is bbc world news. the headlines. joe biden has entered the white house after being sworn in as the 46th president of the united states. in his inauguration speech, he said democracy had prevailed and appealed for unity. he takes office at a time when a deeply divided country is reeling from a raging coronavirus pandemic and a battered economy. democrats have now taken control of the senate, with vice president kamala harris swearing in three new members to give the party a narrow grip on both houses of congress. president biden has wasted no time in getting down to work. he's begun signing a string of executive orders in the oval office, including on climate, health, immigration and the mandatory wearing of masks.