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President Biden on Wednesday pledged that the United States “can overcome” the Covid-19 pandemic, even as he warned that it is entering “what may be the toughest and deadliest period” of the crisis. The remarks, made during key moments in his inauguration address on the west front of the Capitol, represented a forceful pledge that the country can bring the pandemic to an end. (Facher, 1/20)

KHN: Biden Takes The Reins, Calls For A United Front Against Covid And Other Threats 

Joe Biden on Wednesday took the oath to become the 46th president of the United States, vowing to bring the nation together in the midst of an ongoing pandemic that has claimed more than 400,000 lives, enormous economic dislocation and civil unrest so serious that the U.S. Capitol steps where he took his oath were surrounded not by cheering crowds, but by tens of thousands of armed police and National Guard troops. In his inaugural address, given outside despite concerns for his physical security, Biden emphasized unity, the driving theme of his campaign. “My whole soul is in this, bringing America together, uniting our nation,” he said. “And I ask every American to join me in this cause.” (Rovner, 1/20)

Biden’s first day as president was most remarkable for the abject lack of normalcy in a heavily guarded capital that featured far more armed troops than spectators. With the coronavirus pandemic at its worst point — the number of Americans killed by Covid-19 topped 400,000 on Tuesday — much of the pomp and circumstance of a typical inauguration was curtailed. And many on Biden’s staff continued to work from home rather than join the president in the West Wing. (Pager, 1/20)

At the Capitol, with America’s tradition of peaceful transfers of power never appearing more fragile, the ceremony unfolded within a circle of security forces evocative of a war zone and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, Biden gazed out on a cold Washington morning dotted with snow flurries to see over 200,000 American flags planted on the National Mall to symbolize those who could not attend in person. (Lemire, Miller and Jaffe, 1/21)

Joe Biden has promised to unite the states to vanquish the coronavirus. And he may have a narrow opening as increasingly contagious forms of Covid spread. Even more patients will crowd hospitals as the more-transmissible variants take hold. More will die. The U.S. death toll passed 400,000 Tuesday; incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain has bluntly pointed out that it will likely top a half million within weeks. (Kenen and Roubein, 1/20)

Former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday delivered a comprehensive report to newly sworn in President Biden detailing the work of the White House coronavirus task force as Biden prepares to reshape aspects of the federal government’s pandemic response. The 140-page report, a copy of which was obtained by The Hill, outlines the Trump administration’s pandemic response dating back to when China first reported a cluster of pneumonia cases originating in Wuhan. (Samuels, 1/20)

Only six of the nine members of the Supreme Court attended President Biden’s swearing-in Wednesday, the first time in more than 20 years that not all of the justices witnessed the ceremony. Justices Clarence Thomas, Stephen G. Breyer and Samuel A. Alito Jr., the court’s three oldest, were the no-shows. “Several of the justices elected not to attend the inauguration ceremony in light of the public health risks posed by the COVID pandemic,” Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathleen Arberg said in a statement. (Barnes, 1/20)

Joseph R. Biden Jr. moves into the White House on Wednesday facing many weighty issues: a global pandemic. A crushing recession. Racial injustice. Right-wing extremism. But Mr. Biden’s personal weight-control and exercise regimen will face a different kind of burning question: Can he bring his Peloton bike with him? The answer, cybersecurity experts say, is yes. Sort of. (Stolberg, 1/20)