State Dept. condemns arrests, repression in Russia

It called for the release of protesters and opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

This is the fifth day of the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Top headlines:

Here is how events are unfolding. All times Eastern.
Jan 20, 2021, 2:55 PM EST

Biden, Harris visit Arlington National Cemetery with Obama, Bush, Clinton

The newly-anointed first and second families are at Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Biden and Harris are accompanied by all living former presidents -- other than now former President Donald Trump, who landed in his Florida Resort earlier in the day without greeting Biden, and former President Jimmy Carter, who spoke with Biden and sent his well wishes but was unable to travel due to coronavirus concerns.

PHOTO: Former Presidents attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Jan. 20, 2021 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Jan. 20, 2021 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

PHOTO: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Jan. 20, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 20, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined now President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in a historic moment at the solemn site. At the start of the ceremony, a military band played the "National Anthem" and "Taps."

Officials transfer license plates of the motorcade ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th US President on Jan. 20, 2021 at the US Capitol in Washington.
Melina Mara/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

When Biden's motorcade arrived, now with a "46" on the limo's license plate, smoke from the traditional 21-gun salute drifted through the air.

Jan 20, 2021, 2:32 PM EST

Biden reviews the readiness of military troops

In another customary event, Biden -- the nation's new commander in chief -- reviewed the readiness of troops from the steps of the Capitol's East Front.

Pass in Review is a military tradition in which the incoming president reviews the readiness of military troops with every branch of the military represented in the demonstration.

President Joe Biden salutes as first lady Jill Biden puts her hand over her heart during the pass in review after the inauguration ceremony, in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021.
Mike Segar/Reuters

At the conclusion of the inauguration ceremonies on Capitol Hill, troops in Revolutionary War-era uniforms, some with instruments -- and all in masks -- marched before the first and second families to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff attend a Pass in Review ceremony on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol after the 59th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington.
President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff attend a Pass in Review ceremony, hosted by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, at the U.S. Capitol after the 59th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris watch a military pass in review ceremony on the East Front of the Capitol at the conclusion of the inauguration ceremonies, in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Following the pass, Biden, Harris and their families headed to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In a show of unity, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined them.

Jan 20, 2021, 2:17 PM EST

Congressional leaders present gifts to Biden

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.

Jan 20, 2021, 1:34 PM EST

Biden signs first documents as president

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.

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