President-elect Joe Biden is set to arrive in Washington on Tuesday on the eve of his inauguration - with the usual celebrations and politics replaced by a military lockdown.
Outgoing President Donald Trump doesn't plan to invite the Bidens to the White House before the inauguration - denying them the customary gesture of goodwill afforded him four years ago. Trump will also become the first president since Andrew Johnson to skip his successor's swearing in - he'll instead leave Washington early Wednesday morning for Florida, where he plans to live.
Meanwhile, the White House remains busy one day before president-elect Joe Biden's down-sized inauguration as Donald Trump requests a bigger military farewell.
Trump Wants Military Parade
The outgoing president wants to hold a military parade for his farewell on the same day of Biden's inauguration.
Trump wants a huge crowd of his supporters to attend the send-off. And he also wants the red-carpet event to accommodate his political backers.
The White House has already sent out invitations for an event scheduled at 8 a.m. at Joint Base Andrews.
However, some reports suggested Trump may not get the farewell he wants as a result of a Senate impeachment trial and several other investigations.
Capitol Briefly Locks Down
On Monday the Capitol complex was shut down temporarily owing to a security alert after witnesses reported smoke near the area.
Biden ordered inauguration rehearsals halted. Officials said there were no threats to the public.
Security has been tightened around the Capitol since earlier this month, after five people were killed when pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol. Thousands of National Guard reserve soldiers were deployed around central Washington, D.C. to prevent similar events.
Trump said he won't attend the inauguration - and there are many reports outgoing first lady Melania Trump will defy tradition and not be around for Jill Biden's walk-through at the White House's private quarters.
Biden Seeks Unity In Inaugural Speech
The president-elect has been adjusting the content of his speech, aides said.
Aside from historian and presidential biographer Jon Meacham, Biden is being assisted by Mike Donilon, who has been an adviser for the president-elect for many years.
Biden is faced with a divided nation - especially since the Jan. 6 chaos at the Capitol.
On the other hand it is expected Biden's inaugural speech will concentrate on encouraging unity among Americans as the country sets its eyes on a further reopening and recovery from the pandemic.
