In five days, president-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated. The 78-year-old Democrat’s swearing-in will take place at what is destined to be a one-of-a-kind Inauguration Day.
Firstly, the ceremony will take place before a much smaller audience than usual due to health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Under normal circumstances, members of Congress usually receive 200,000 inauguration tickets to distribute among their constituents; this year, lawmakers each received only two tickets — for themselves and a plus-one, according to the Washington Post.
The security presence in Washington DC has also been increased dramatically following the January 6 riots on Capitol Hill.
Over 20,000 National Guard troops were deployed to the US Capitol since the event; social media has been inundated with images of soldiers resting wherever they can find floor space throughout the halls of Congress.
Tim Ryan and Rosa DeLauro giving free coffee and donuts to National Guard stationed at Capitol https://t.co/kFMTypgeuu pic.twitter.com/BSvr4nqLJy
— The Hill (@thehill) January 15, 2021
House Democrats request cots for National Guard troops stationed in Capitol https://t.co/teeiM1obhO pic.twitter.com/PA7hLwaqLh
— The Hill (@thehill) January 15, 2021
Additionally, the National Mall will be closed to the public. As many as a million attendees have gathered on the Mall to watch their new President sworn into office in previous years.
In 2021, Washington DC looks more like an occupied territory in an active war zone than a district celebrating a peaceful transition of power and the start of a new administration.
Getting into the office be like— ✋ #NationalGuard #dc pic.twitter.com/o4efOBWVf0
— Connie Lee 이카니 (@connieleeTV) January 15, 2021
Now in DC: Blockades with vehicles from the National Guard are seen for blocks surrounding the US Capitol building. pic.twitter.com/L3sRdDd357
— James Klüg (@realJamesKlug) January 15, 2021
Photos of the Day: National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia are supporting law enforcement through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. More: https://t.co/26phd2dYnw 📷: https://t.co/oeZbLLd52Z #Inauguration2021 pic.twitter.com/GPL2L1W08s
— National Guard (@USNationalGuard) January 15, 2021
Will Joe Biden Take the Oath in Front of the Capitol?
Will Biden Take Oath in Front of the Capitol?
- Matchup Odds
- Yes-500
- No+250
Is there anything better than wagering on an event for which you already know the outcome? Well, despite the steep –500 moneyline odds, betting on “Yes” is as good as printing free money. Because we already know that Joe Biden plans to take his oath in front of the Capitol!
“President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris will be sworn into office on the steps of the Capitol next month, but those who are planning his inauguration are urging Americans to stay at home and limit gatherings during the event.
Biden’s planning committee for the first time stated definitely Tuesday that he will be sworn in to office on the west side of the Capitol, the location that has been used in recent years, and he will give an inauguration address from the platform.”
Hurry up before MyBookie pulls the market off the board! (The odds were still available as of 3 PM PST on Friday 1/15.)
What Color Tie Will Joe Biden Be Wearing?
| Joe Biden’s Tie Color | Betting Odds |
| Blue | -150 |
| Black | +120 |
| Grey | +225 |
| Red | +250 |
| Purple | +300 |
So far, I’ve failed to predict a single elected official’s tie color correctly when these props have popped up in the past. (The other times this question was raised was before the two parties’ national conventions and the first debate.)
Of course, this type of prop bet is mostly for fun; there’s only so much a politics bettor can do to predict a person’s wardrobe choices accurately. Nevertheless, I have a few thoughts on the matter.
If you’ve been paying attention, Joe Biden has repeatedly expressed his desire to heal the nation’s political divide by reaching across the aisle and working with Republicans. Since winning the election, the prevailing theme has been one of unity and bipartisanship (much to the chagrin of many on the left who were promised a progressive President in exchange for not abandoning the Democratic Party).
This spirit of (corporatist) cooperation is why Biden is settling for $10,000 in student loan debt relief instead of using an executive order to eliminate $50,000+ as previously discussed. It’s also why the promised $2,000 checks that won both Georgia Senate seats – and control of the upper chamber — for Democrats have already been reduced to $1,400.
What does this have to do with the color of Joe Biden’s tie?
Well, I think he may choose a color that will represent this appeal for bipartisanship symbolically.
As a Democratic president-elect, wearing blue would be the obvious choice…which is why it’s a –150 favorite. It would also do nothing but perpetuate the sort of political gang war mentality into which our political system has devolved.
Will Joe and Jill Biden Share A Dance on the Virtual Inauguration?
Joe and Jill Biden Share A Dance?
- Matchup Odds
- Yes-300
- No+200
Rather than the usual Inauguration Day festivities, a 90-minute virtual event titled “Celebrating America” will air on all the major networks and streaming services. It’s expected to be done in the same vein as the Democratic National Convention.
Assuming the performances are all recorded in different locations and considering there are no inaugural balls scheduled, I’d say the odds of Joe and Jill Biden sharing a dance on camera take a major hit.
At the same time, the new First Family will be featured prominently during the broadcast. Is it possible they’ll dance at the White House while the musical performances play? Maybe on a split-screen?
In this case, I think it’s imperative we prioritize considering the betting lines. This year’s Inauguration Day festivities are occurring under such unusual conditions, and there’s a lot of unpredictability at play. As such, I’m leaning towards taking the better payout.
If the musical performances aren’t happening in the same room as the Biden’s, there’s a chance the First Couple won’t feel the urge to start dancing. I tend to think Democratic organizers will encourage them to dance together, but I’m not confident enough to bet on it at –300 odds.
If the production is presented similarly to the Democratic National Convention, the broadcast could cut away to the musicians without showing the Biden’s on-screen at all. We may only see them in a series of pre-planned or pre-recorded speeches, while the broadcast jumps around to the various presenters and performers.
Will Joe Biden be Photographed on the Balcony of the White House Jan 20?
Joe Biden Photographed?
- Matchup Odds
- Yes+170
- No-250
I’m assuming MyBookie is referring to the Truman Balcony, which overlooks the South Lawn of the White House.
(It’s the same location that Donald Trump gave his address to the nation, announcing that he’d returned to the residence following his bout with COVID-19 – remember, the one where he was visibly gasping for air?)
In my research, I could not find any traditions involving newly inaugurated presidents appearing on the balcony; however, they’re usually attending inaugural balls on the night of their swearing-in. Could Joe Biden use the area to stage some photographs allowing the public an alternative opportunity to lay eyes on the President on an unconventional Inauguration Day?
Doesn’t the balcony provide the perfect setting for the Biden family to be filmed during the virtual inauguration? The Obama’s named the Truman Balcony as their favorite spot in the White House. They’ll almost certainly be part of Wednesday’s celebration.
Once again, I’m taking the more favorable odds. I can’t think of a more perfect location for the Biden family to be shown during the virtual inauguration. If the new President can’t attend any celebratory balls, the Truman Balcony is the next best option.
Which Amtrak Service Will Joe Biden Be on Jan 20?
| 1st Country Trump Enters | Betting Odds |
| 5:22a EST from Wilmington | +600 |
| 7:11a EST from Wilmington | +600 |
| 7:36a EST from Wilmington | +125 |
| 8:01a EST from Wilmington | +400 |
| 8:35a EST from Wilmington | +200 |
| 8:51a EST from Wilmington | +300 |
| 9:17a EST from Wilmington | +400 |
| 9:34a EST from Wilmington | +400 |
| 9:58a EST from Wilmington | +1200 |
| 10:29a EST from Wilmington | +1500 |
Sometimes the right bet is the one you don’t make. That’s undoubtedly the case when it comes to this betting line, as once again, we already have the answer. It’s “none of the above.”
On Thursday, the media reported that Biden was forced to cancel plans to travel to his inauguration via Amtrak.
“President-elect Joe Biden will no longer be taking an Amtrak trip from Wilmington, Del., to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration next week due to security concerns, according to multiple reports.
“Two officials familiar with the planning told CNN that some of the concerns were based on Biden’s arrival at Union Station, just blocks away from the Capitol.
“The president-elect previously told his team to keep moving forward with initial plans to ride on Amtrak despite last Wednesday’s deadly riot at the Capitol or complications caused by the pandemic, according to the news outlet.
“The Associated Press confirmed the reported change, citing a person briefed on the decision. The news service noted that Amtrak was a preference for Biden during his 36 years in the Senate and he even used Amtrak for a train tour through Ohio and Pennsylvania during his presidential campaign.”
According to Joe Biden’s transition team, the FBI and Secret Service briefed the president-elect about possible security threats. The nature of those threats was not made public, but the story is consistent with the increased presence of National Guard troops and police in Washington DC.
Since the chaotic events on January 6, security services have been monitoring online chatter and warning officials that additional armed demonstrations and attacks are being planned. The government is taking no chances next week, so it isn’t a surprise that Joe Biden won’t be allowed his train ride.
Will Joe Biden Greet Mike Pence at the Inauguration?
Will Biden Greet Pence at the Inauguration?
- Matchup Odds
- Yes-190
- No+145
While the Republican Party’s MAGA wing is being purged, Mike Pence has positioned himself firmly alongside Mitch McConnell and the moderate, establishment GOP. The move has enraged Trump supporters who now see their fallen hero’s former running mate as a traitor. Still, it’s saved the Vice President’s respectability and future among the political elite.
It’s been reported that Donald Trump plans to leave the White House early on Inauguration Day and won’t be attending Biden’s swearing-in. Instead, the outgoing President will fly to Joint Base Andrews for a military ceremony before retiring to Florida.
That makes Pence the top representative of the Trump White House at the inauguration, overseeing the transfer of power to the Biden administration. Remember the theme the president-elect chose for his Inauguration Day?
“America United.”
I am fully expecting Joe Biden to make a point of greeting Vice President Mike Pence at the ceremony. It will be necessary for the new administration to display solidarity before the American people.
Embracing Pence will signal that Biden and the Democrats aren’t going after all Republicans, just Donald Trump and any of his violent supporters. There’s no way that Democratic strategists will pass up this opportunity to isolate Trump further while reinforcing the “unity” message.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pence receive the warmest, most prolonged greeting of anyone in attendance.
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