In Pictures: Joe Biden takes helm as US president

Joe Biden has become the 46th president of the United States.

Published Jan 20, 2021

Last updated Jan 21, 2021

Joe Biden has become the 46th president of the United States after swearing the oath of office in Washington.

The inauguration ceremony unfolded at a US Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago, encircled by security forces evocative of those in a war zone, and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are some of the images from Washington as Donald Trump departed the White House after a tumultuous four years:

Biden Inauguration — Joe Biden steps out to be sworn in as 46th president of the United States (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Jennifer Lopez also sang during the ceremony (Win McNamee/AP)

Former president Bill Clinton and his wife, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, arrive — Former president Bill Clinton and his wife, ex-secretary of state Hillary Clinton, also attended along with George W Bush and his wife Laura (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Law enforcement personnel monitoring surrounding areas during the 59th presidential inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington — Law enforcement personnel monitoring surrounding areas during the 59th presidential inauguration at the US Capitol (Susan Walsh/AP/Pool)

President Donald Trump waves as he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington — Earlier, president Donald Trump waved as he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House for the last time (Alex Brandon/AP)

President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden attend Mass at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle during Inauguration Day ceremonies in Washington, with vice president-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff to the left — The Bidens attended mass at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle in Washington DC ahead of the swearing-in (Evan Vucci/AP)