State Dept. condemns arrests, repression in Russia

Ahead of Biden being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, guests are arriving at a fortified U.S. Capitol -- where just two weeks to the day pro-Trump supporters stormed the West Front steps.

But two weeks later, even Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley -- who objected to Biden's Electoral College victory that same day -- have arrived on Capitol Hill for Biden's inauguration.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- who attended Mass with Biden earlier and has condemned Trump, who he said "provoked" the mob -- has also arrived with wife Elaine Chao, Trump's former transportation secretary who became the first Cabinet member to resign because of the Capitol riot.

Former Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, also present, told reporters he was there to "honor this process," adding that Biden was "legitimately elected."

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have arrived, as well, with Michelle Obama posting on Instagram shortly before that she is feeling "hopeful for what's to come."

Former New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez was also spotted on the carpet ahead of Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Garth Brooks' performances.

In an earlier interview on ABC's "Good Morning America," incoming White House communications director Kate Bedingfield spoke about Biden’s inaugural address, reiterating Biden plans to strike an optimistic tone in the forward-looking remarks calling for unity and drawing inspiration from his time on the campaign trail.

“He spent the last year and a half traveling the country and then when he couldn't travel the country speaking virtually with people all over the country, hearing their story, hearing about their resilience, seeing them being the best that they could be in their communities in incredibly hard times,” Bedingfield said.

On NBC's "Today" program, incoming White House press secretary Jen Psaki said despite heighted concerns around security, Biden’s team thought it was “important” to take the oath of office outside at the Capitol.

“It sends an incredibly powerful message to the country and to the world, to see the president of the United States being sworn in outside. We've taken a number of precautions. We have heeded the advice and guidance of our security team, of the secret service, who have been preparing for this for a year,” she said.

After attending Mass with bipartisan congressional leaders, Biden and Harris are headed to their inaugural ceremonies on Capitol Hill where leaders on both sides of the aisle have already showed up.

Former President Barack Obama has tweeted to his former vice president, "Congratulations to my friend, President @JoeBiden! This is your time."

After the inaugural ceremonies on Capitol Hill, Obama and Michelle Obama are expected to join Biden and Harris at Arlington National Cemetery in the afternoon, where the new leaders of the free world will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In a show of unity, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton are also expected to attend.

Not long after he takes the presidential oath Wednesday, Joe Biden will use the power of his pen to begin a sweeping transformation of U.S. policy through dozens of executive orders, presidential memoranda and other official directives.

The wave of executive action will unfold over Biden’s first 10 days, according to incoming administration officials. If the plan plays out as expected, the number, scope and impact of the new president’s early moves would exceed those undertaken by his three most recent predecessors.

-ABC News' Devin Dwyer