LOC10:09
07:09 GMT
WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- The US inaugurates its 45th president, Donald Trump, at a swearing-in ceremony set to be attended by nearly a million people on Friday with several events planned amid tighter than usual security.
Ahead of the big event, which will be held outside of the Capitol Building, the home of the US Congress, Trump and his wife Melania will join President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for morning tea at the White House.
All four, along with their vice presidents, will then proceed to the Capitol by motorcade to attend the inauguration celebrations alongside Congressmen, diplomats and the public.
Also expected to attend are former presidents Jimmy Carter, George W Bush and Bill Clinton and his wife, former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton who was defeated by Trump in the November 2016 elections.
Trump takes the oath of office at noon right after his vice president-elect, Mike Pence, receives the same honour followed by his inauguration speech moments later.
After a Congressional Lunch at the Capitol, Trump and Pence will then travel around 2.4 km to the White House via Pennsylvania Avenue, amid a parade surrounded by thousands of US veterans, troops and students.
Later in the evening, Trump, Pence and their wives will host inaugural celebration activities across Washington, DC.
On Thursday, both Trump and Pence attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before giving remarks at a pop music concert.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson recently said that this year's inauguration will be "extra fortified" due to the possible threats of lone wolf and vehicle attacks.
Johnson said that non-official vehicles will be prohibited from entering busy areas, which will be guarded by "dump trucks and heavily armoured vehicles."
Around 28,000 personnel, including the FBI and Secret Service, tasked with security have also been deployed around areas hosting the festivities, he said. (end)
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