State Dept. condemns arrests, repression in Russia

In their first promenade around Capitol Hill in their new roles, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were presented with gifts from congressional leaders -- a light-hearted, customary event that featured laughter and jokes in a familiar atmosphere given both Biden's and Harris' ties to the Senate.

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Chair Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., presented Biden and Harris with custom-made crystal vases, which the Lenox Company has crafted for the last nine inaugurations, with Biden's vase featuring the White House and Harris' featuring the Capitol. She said they "represent the hope and the faith the American people have placed in you to move our country forward."

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened his remarks with a light joke, saying he "had to note" that "not only did we just swear in a son and daughter of the Senate to these high offices but both these former senators skipped the House altogether."

McConnell went on to give Harris a flag that flew over the earlier swearing-in ceremony and praise her history-making moment.

"Today this flag flew over our former colleagues' inauguration as the very first female vice president of the United States, so to our very distinguished colleague, madam vice president," he said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi then also presented an inauguration flag to Biden, which she stressed was a "symbol of the hope, healing and the enthusiasm that you have for our country."

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. -- who objected to election results -- presented Harris, "a proud daughter of California," with a photo of the moment she took the oath on the Capitol steps. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., presented the same to Biden, invoking their shared faith and appreciation of hymns.

As is customary after taking the oath of office, Biden signed three documents while in the President's Room at the Capitol, according to the office of the president.

Biden signed an Inauguration Day Proclamation, nominations to Cabinet positions and nominations to sub-Cabinet positions.

Traditionally, a luncheon on Capitol Hill follows the signing, but with coronavirus concerns it was canceled this year.

The first tweet from Biden as president using the @POTUS Twitter account handle has hit the internet.

“There is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crises we face. That's why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families," it reads.

Moments after she took the oath of office, Vice President Kamala Harris issued her first tweet through her new Twitter handle as vice president.

All White House Twitter accounts have now been transitioned from the Trump administration to the Biden administration, Twitter announced.

Former Vice President Mike Pence -- now also the former president of the Senate -- and former second lady Karen Pence have departed the Capitol following the inaugural ceremonies.

Harris and Pence greeted each other at the event after Pence left a handwritten note for Harris and called her last week -- 68 days after Biden and Harris were projected the winners.