Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday.

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, taking office at a moment of profound health, economic and political crises with a promise to seek unity after a tumultuous four years that tore at the fabric of American society.

Repost from @nytimes: With his hand on a five-inch-thick Bible that has been in his family for 127 years, Biden recited the 35-word oath of office swearing to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution” in a ceremony administered by Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. The ceremony on a chilly, breezy day with a smattering of snowflakes brought to a close the stormy and divisive four-year presidency of Donald Trump. In characteristic fashion, Trump once again defied tradition by leaving Washington hours before the swearing in of his successor rather than face the reality of his own election defeat, although Mike Pence, his vice president, did attend. Tap the link in our bio for live coverage of the inaugural ceremonies and President Biden’s address. Photo by @erinschaff