Inauguration Day 2021: Biden to be sworn in as ‘far right’ National Guard members removed from duty

Joe Middleton
President-elect Joe Biden, with Dr. Jill Biden, participating in a COVID memorial event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington (EPA-EFE)
President-elect Joe Biden, with Dr. Jill Biden, participating in a COVID memorial event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington (EPA-EFE)

Joe Biden is just hours away from being sworn in as the 46th President of the United States as Donald Trump makes his way to Florida to restart life as a private citizen.

Mr Biden gave an emotional speech in his home state of Delaware before heading to Washington and paid tribute to his late son Beau.

It comes amid a heavy security presence in the capital as 20,000 National Guard are on hand to support law enforcement just days after the Capital riots.

Since the violent insurrection authorities have been making extensive efforts to screen National Guard members with 12 removed from proceedings by the FBI due to ties with "fringe right-wing groups or had posted extremist views”, according to the Associated Press.

It comes as Donald Trump’s last act in office was to offer pardons or clemency to 143 people, including his former adviser Steve Bannon and rapper Lil Wayne.