As Joe Biden took office as the 46th President of the United States, all eyes are now on West Asia. On this week's West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you what a Biden White House could mean for the region. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

The West Asia Post | What will a Biden White House mean for West Asia?

The United States is planning to reverse former President Donald Trump's immigration policies that have time and again been described as 'Draconian'. According to the White House, the US President Joe Biden told his Mexican counterpart that his administration is undoing the 'Draconian' approach.

US to reverse Trump's 'Draconian' immigration approach

US President Joe Biden and his family have entered the White House for the first time after being his swearing-in&nbsp;ceremony on Wednesday.

Biden's first telephone conversation with a foreign leader will be with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and it will happen on Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

Standing on the steps of the US Capitol that was ransacked by pro-Trump mobs exactly two weeks earlier, Biden was sworn in moments after Kamala Harris took the oath as America's first woman vice president.

"Democracy is precious, democracy is fragile and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed," Biden said before a National Mall that was virtually empty due to the ultra-tight security and a raging Covid-19 pandemic that he vowed to confront immediately.

"We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts, if we show a little tolerance and humility and we're willing to stand in the other person's shoes," he said.

"Together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division, of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healing and goodness."

But Trump, who falsely said that he was cheated out of a second term and egged on his supporters before their rampage at the Capitol, broke 152 years of tradition by refusing to attend his successor's inauguration.

Biden pushed through a flurry of orders the moment he entered the White House, starting with rejoining the 2015 Paris climate accord, from which the United States was the sole outlier after a withdrawal by Trump, an ally of the fossil fuel industry.

"We are going to combat&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change in a way we have not done so far," the new US leader said in the Oval Office as he signed papers to rejoin the Paris deal, which was negotiated by Barack Obama when Biden was his vice president.

Biden also halted the US exit from the World Health Organization, rescinded a ban on visitors from several Muslim-majority nations and halted construction of Trump's cherished wall on the Mexican border.

'President for all Americans'

In his inaugural address, Biden appealed to supporters of Trump, who shattered political norms by ruthlessly belittling rivals, denouncing entire ethnic groups and trying to cast doubt on basic facts.

"I will be a president for all Americans," the veteran Democrat said.

But Biden confronted head-on the rise of domestic extremism, as evidenced during Trump's presidency by the Capitol mob, deadly attacks on synagogues and immigrants, and a violent march by neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The United States faces "a rise of political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront, and we will defeat," Biden said.

"Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear and demonization have long torn us apart."

At 78, Biden is the oldest-ever US president, a job he first sought in 1987. He is only the second Roman Catholic president after John F Kennedy and swore his oath on a bulging old family Bible.&nbsp;

Harris, the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, became the highest-ranking woman in US history, and the first Black person and first person of Asian heritage as the nation's number two.&nbsp;

She and her husband Doug Emhoff -- America's first-ever "second gentleman" -- were escorted to the inauguration by Eugene Goodman, a Black police officer at the Capitol who was seen luring the mostly white mob away from the Senate chambers in a video that went viral.

Empty Washington

Central Washington took on the dystopian look of an armed camp, protected by some 25,000 National Guard troops tasked with preventing any repeat of the January 6 violence.&nbsp;

With the public essentially barred from attending due to the pandemic, Biden's audience at the National Mall instead was 200,000 flags planted to represent the absent crowds.

Biden, who has vowed a major escalation in the nation's Covid vaccination drive, warned that the "toughest and deadliest period" was still ahead.&nbsp;

So far, more than 400,000 people have died of Covid in the United States, more than in any other country.

"We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation," he said, striking a new tone after Trump's mockery of mask-wearing and business closings meant to halt the virus.

While the public crowds were gone, Biden brought in celebrity power -- absent four years ago with Trump.

Lady Gaga, in a dress with a black bodice and a billowing red skirt, sang the national anthem and Tom Hanks prepared to host a televised evening appearance with the new president.

Jennifer Lopez sang a pop rendition of "This Land is Your Land," often considered the unofficial US national anthem, ending it by exclaiming the final words of the pledge of allegiance -- "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" -- in Spanish.

The new first lady, Jill Biden, invited a 22-year-old poet, Amanda Gorman, who became a star of the day with verse on how democracy "can never be permanently defeated."

Biden and Harris started their administration by jointly paying respects to fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery followed by an inaugural parade -- devoid of the usual crowds -- that featured both an Army fife and drum corps in the red coats of George Washington's time, and a drumline and dancers from Howard University, the historically Black institution that counts the new vice president as a graduate.

Trump vows to be back

Trump left Washington hours before the inauguration, walking on a red carpet on the White House lawn with his wife Melania into the Marine One presidential helicopter, which flew near the inauguration-ready Capitol before heading to Andrews Air Force Base.

"This has been an incredible four years," Trump told several hundred cheering supporters at a campaign-style event with cannons before leaving for his Florida resort in his last trip on Air Force One.

"We will be back in some form," vowed Trump, who retains a hold on much of the Republican Party despite being the first president to be impeached twice.

In a first hint of graciousness, Trump wished the next administration "great luck and great success" -- without saying Biden's name.

Biden said that Trump left him a traditional letter that was "very generous" but declined to reveal the contents.

Mike Pence, the outgoing vice president who clashed with Trump in his final days by acknowledging he could not overturn the election, attended the inauguration and was spotted laughing with Harris.

Also taking part were former presidents Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and their wives -- including Hillary Clinton, for whom Biden's victory was especially sweet four years after her narrow, surprise defeat to Trump.

In the middle of his last night at the White House, Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of 73 people including his former campaign chief Steve Bannon, who was charged with defrauding donors who thought they were building Trump's wall.

US President Joe Biden and his family have entered the White House for the first time after being his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday. Biden's first telephone conversation with a foreign leader will be with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and it will happen on Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

US President Joe Biden and his family have entered the White House for the first time after being his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday. Biden's first telephone conversation with a foreign leader will be with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and it will happen on Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. Standing on the steps of the US Capitol that was ransacked by pro-Trump mobs exactly two weeks earlier, Biden was sworn in moments after Kamala Harris took the oath as America's first woman vice president. "Democracy is precious, democracy is fragile and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed," Biden said before a National Mall that was virtually empty due to the ultra-tight security and a raging Covid-19 pandemic that he vowed to confront immediately. "We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts, if we show a little tolerance and humility and we're willing to stand in the other person's shoes," he said. "Together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division, of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healing and goodness." But Trump, who falsely said that he was cheated out of a second term and egged on his supporters before their rampage at the Capitol, broke 152 years of tradition by refusing to attend his successor's inauguration. Biden pushed through a flurry of orders the moment he entered the White House, starting with rejoining the 2015 Paris climate accord, from which the United States was the sole outlier after a withdrawal by Trump, an ally of the fossil fuel industry. "We are going to combat climate change in a way we have not done so far," the new US leader said in the Oval Office as he signed papers to rejoin the Paris deal, which was negotiated by Barack Obama when Biden was his vice president. Biden also halted the US exit from the World Health Organization, rescinded a ban on visitors from several Muslim-majority nations and halted construction of Trump's cherished wall on the Mexican border. 'President for all Americans' In his inaugural address, Biden appealed to supporters of Trump, who shattered political norms by ruthlessly belittling rivals, denouncing entire ethnic groups and trying to cast doubt on basic facts. "I will be a president for all Americans," the veteran Democrat said. But Biden confronted head-on the rise of domestic extremism, as evidenced during Trump's presidency by the Capitol mob, deadly attacks on synagogues and immigrants, and a violent march by neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Virginia. The United States faces "a rise of political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront, and we will defeat," Biden said. "Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear and demonization have long torn us apart." At 78, Biden is the oldest-ever US president, a job he first sought in 1987. He is only the second Roman Catholic president after John F Kennedy and swore his oath on a bulging old family Bible. Harris, the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, became the highest-ranking woman in US history, and the first Black person and first person of Asian heritage as the nation's number two. She and her husband Doug Emhoff -- America's first-ever "second gentleman" -- were escorted to the inauguration by Eugene Goodman, a Black police officer at the Capitol who was seen luring the mostly white mob away from the Senate chambers in a video that went viral. Empty Washington Central Washington took on the dystopian look of an armed camp, protected by some 25,000 National Guard troops tasked with preventing any repeat of the January 6 violence. With the public essentially barred from attending due to the pandemic, Biden's audience at the National Mall instead was 200,000 flags planted to represent the absent crowds. Biden, who has vowed a major escalation in the nation's Covid vaccination drive, warned that the "toughest and deadliest period" was still ahead. So far, more than 400,000 people have died of Covid in the United States, more than in any other country. "We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation," he said, striking a new tone after Trump's mockery of mask-wearing and business closings meant to halt the virus. While the public crowds were gone, Biden brought in celebrity power -- absent four years ago with Trump. Lady Gaga, in a dress with a black bodice and a billowing red skirt, sang the national anthem and Tom Hanks prepared to host a televised evening appearance with the new president. Jennifer Lopez sang a pop rendition of "This Land is Your Land," often considered the unofficial US national anthem, ending it by exclaiming the final words of the pledge of allegiance -- "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" -- in Spanish. The new first lady, Jill Biden, invited a 22-year-old poet, Amanda Gorman, who became a star of the day with verse on how democracy "can never be permanently defeated." Biden and Harris started their administration by jointly paying respects to fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery followed by an inaugural parade -- devoid of the usual crowds -- that featured both an Army fife and drum corps in the red coats of George Washington's time, and a drumline and dancers from Howard University, the historically Black institution that counts the new vice president as a graduate. Trump vows to be back Trump left Washington hours before the inauguration, walking on a red carpet on the White House lawn with his wife Melania into the Marine One presidential helicopter, which flew near the inauguration-ready Capitol before heading to Andrews Air Force Base. "This has been an incredible four years," Trump told several hundred cheering supporters at a campaign-style event with cannons before leaving for his Florida resort in his last trip on Air Force One. "We will be back in some form," vowed Trump, who retains a hold on much of the Republican Party despite being the first president to be impeached twice. In a first hint of graciousness, Trump wished the next administration "great luck and great success" -- without saying Biden's name. Biden said that Trump left him a traditional letter that was "very generous" but declined to reveal the contents. Mike Pence, the outgoing vice president who clashed with Trump in his final days by acknowledging he could not overturn the election, attended the inauguration and was spotted laughing with Harris. Also taking part were former presidents Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and their wives -- including Hillary Clinton, for whom Biden's victory was especially sweet four years after her narrow, surprise defeat to Trump. In the middle of his last night at the White House, Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of 73 people including his former campaign chief Steve Bannon, who was charged with defrauding donors who thought they were building Trump's wall.

'Democracy has prevailed': First family enters the White House for first time

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's inauguration preparations are underway in Washington DC amid tight security. White officials were seen making arrangements for the inauguration event. WION brings you a report.

Preparations underway for Biden-Harris inauguration in Washington DC

In less than 24 hours, Donald Trump will leave the White House. The preparations for Joe Biden's inauguration are underway in full swing. But Trump supporters are 'determined' to overturn election results. WION's Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Donald Trump's last day in Office

Joe Biden will continue the tradition of having pets inside the White House. The arrival of the Bidens and their dogs Major and Champ at the White House this week will mark the return of a longstanding tradition - four-legged furry friends have always been a part of the 18-acre estate that is home to the US president. 
 
Outgoing President Donald Trump was the first president since Andrew Johnson in the 1860s not to share the presidential digs with a dog or a cat - or even a raccoon, like the one kept by Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s. 
 
Major, a German Shepherd, is the first rescue dog to move in at the White House. The Bidens adopted him in November 2018 from the Delaware Humane Association. Champ, also a German Shepherd, joined the family in 2008. 
 
"From shelter pup at the Delaware Humane Association to First Dog at the White House, Major Biden is barking proof that every dog can live the American dream," said the group, which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indoguration-for-major-biden-as-joe-biden-prepares-white-house-move-355817">hosted an online 'indoguration'&nbsp;fundraiser </a>on January 17 to celebrate Major`s move into the White House on January 20. 
 
Former President Barack Obama was dog-less while campaigning, but promised his daughters Sasha and Malia a puppy during his acceptance speech after winning the 2008 election. The Obamas eventually had a portugues Water Dog called Bo who was gifted to the family by the late Senator Ted Kennedy.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-inauguration-day-2021-live-updates-trump-pardons-73-people-including-ex-aide-steve-bannon-357872">US Inauguration Day 2021 Live updates</a> 
 
The Obamas adopted a second dog of the same breed, Sunny, in 2013, according to the Presidential Pet Museum. 
 
The 'first pets' of America enjoy perks as well. Like George W Bush`s Scottish Terrier, Barney, flew on Air Force One and starred in `Barney Cam` videos to celebrate the holiday season. "He never discussed politics and was always a faithful friend," Bush said when Barney died in 2013. 
 
The Clintons` Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Buddy, joined cat Socks at the White House; while George HW Bush and family had several dogs in the White House, including Millie, the star of a children`s book written by Bush`s wife Barbara. 
About 67% of all U.S. homes had a pet in 2019, up from 56% three decades ago, the American Pet Products Association reported last year. 
 
And the pandemic has given pet ownership a further boost. Animal shelter adoptions jumped about 15% as people turned to furry friends to help them cope with the isolation from lockdown orders.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-religious-services-to-a-musical-night-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-joe-bidens-inauguration-day-357933" hreflang="en">From religious services to a musical night: A comprehensive guide to the Joe Biden's inauguration day</a> 
 
Biden`s wife Jill has hinted that maybe they will also host a cat in the near future.&nbsp; 
 
Interestingly, the Naval Observatory, which is the home of the vice president, will be saying goodbye to four pets.&nbsp;

Vice President Mike Pence and his family had a cat named Hazel, a dog named Harley, a snake named Sapphira, and a bunny named Marlon Bundo. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband don`t own pets.

<h5><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lady-gaga-tom-hanks-justin-timberlake-the-complete-celebrity-line-up-at-joe-bidens-inaugural-ceremony-357942" hreflang="en">Lady Gaga, Tom Hanks, Justin Timberlake: The complete celebrity line up at Joe Biden's inaugural ceremony&nbsp;</a></h5>

(With inputs from Reuters)

Joe Biden will continue the tradition of having pets inside the White House. The arrival of the Bidens and their dogs Major and Champ at the White House this week will mark the return of a longstanding tradition - four-legged furry friends have always been a part of the 18-acre estate that is home to the US president.

Joe Biden will continue the tradition of having pets inside the White House. The arrival of the Bidens and their dogs Major and Champ at the White House this week will mark the return of a longstanding tradition - four-legged furry friends have always been a part of the 18-acre estate that is home to the US president. Outgoing President Donald Trump was the first president since Andrew Johnson in the 1860s not to share the presidential digs with a dog or a cat - or even a raccoon, like the one kept by Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s. Major, a German Shepherd, is the first rescue dog to move in at the White House. The Bidens adopted him in November 2018 from the Delaware Humane Association. Champ, also a German Shepherd, joined the family in 2008. "From shelter pup at the Delaware Humane Association to First Dog at the White House, Major Biden is barking proof that every dog can live the American dream," said the group, which hosted an online 'indoguration' fundraiser on January 17 to celebrate Major`s move into the White House on January 20. Former President Barack Obama was dog-less while campaigning, but promised his daughters Sasha and Malia a puppy during his acceptance speech after winning the 2008 election. The Obamas eventually had a portugues Water Dog called Bo who was gifted to the family by the late Senator Ted Kennedy. US Inauguration Day 2021 Live updates The Obamas adopted a second dog of the same breed, Sunny, in 2013, according to the Presidential Pet Museum. The 'first pets' of America enjoy perks as well. Like George W Bush`s Scottish Terrier, Barney, flew on Air Force One and starred in `Barney Cam` videos to celebrate the holiday season. "He never discussed politics and was always a faithful friend," Bush said when Barney died in 2013. The Clintons` Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Buddy, joined cat Socks at the White House; while George HW Bush and family had several dogs in the White House, including Millie, the star of a children`s book written by Bush`s wife Barbara. About 67% of all U.S. homes had a pet in 2019, up from 56% three decades ago, the American Pet Products Association reported last year. And the pandemic has given pet ownership a further boost. Animal shelter adoptions jumped about 15% as people turned to furry friends to help them cope with the isolation from lockdown orders. From religious services to a musical night: A comprehensive guide to the Joe Biden's inauguration day Biden`s wife Jill has hinted that maybe they will also host a cat in the near future. Interestingly, the Naval Observatory, which is the home of the vice president, will be saying goodbye to four pets. Vice President Mike Pence and his family had a cat named Hazel, a dog named Harley, a snake named Sapphira, and a bunny named Marlon Bundo. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband don`t own pets. Lady Gaga, Tom Hanks, Justin Timberlake: The complete celebrity line up at Joe Biden's inaugural ceremony (With inputs from Reuters)

White House to be home for Joe Biden's pets Major and Champ: A brief history on 'first pets' of America 

According to the reports, Donald Trump has decided to form a new political party called the 'Patriot Party'. He has discussed the same with his supporters, as per The Wall Street Journal.

Speculations about Trump's political endeavours continue

A night before the much-awaited inauguration day US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris took part in an evening ceremony at the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial to honour the 400,000 American lives lost to COVID-19.

Prez Biden and Vice-Prez Harris's first event after arriving in Washington

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris inauguration preparations are underway in Washington DC amid tight security. The field of flags display in the National Monument Washington DC was put up by the Biden inaugural committee.

US: Over 191,000 flags put up by Biden inaugural committee

2 days before Joe Biden's inauguration, all 50 states of the US are on alert for armed protests. 25,000 troops have been deployed to guard Washington DC. It's the biggest security presence for any inauguration in US History. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Ahead of Biden's inauguration, Washington turned into a garrison city

Are U.S. troops becoming a threat to American democracy? Defence officials fear that U.S. service members could stage an attack during the Biden's inauguration. They are now vetting 25,000 National Guard Officers. WION's Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: FBI to vet 25,000 National Guard Officers

Joe Biden will enter the White House with a long to-do list. In the first 10 days, the President-elect plans to reverse several controversial decisions of Donald Trump. WION's Palki Sharma tells you what's on Biden's agenda.

Gravitas: Joe Biden's plans for the first 10 days in office

As the investigation into the riots at the US Capitol continues fresh evidence has surfaced which holds Donald Trump's allies responsible.

WION Fineprint: Riot at the US Capitol was incited by Trump's comments

According to reports, Donald Trump will be leaving for Florida just hours before Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony on January 20.

Trump to leave White House hours before Biden's inauguration

Thousands of security personnel from the National Guard Law & Enforcement Agency is descending upon the US Capital, Washington DC for Joe Biden’s inauguration as president on Wednesday.

Washington on high alert ahead of Biden inauguration

Following the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol by Pro-Trump rioters, serious scrutiny and security concerns have gripped Washington. US defence officials are now worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members securing the Joe Biden's inauguration.

FBI vetting guard troops amid fears of insider attack

Trump hotels are rebranding themselves. Trump Organisation's biggest lender has reportedly cut ties with the company. Trump's golf courses are losing business. Is this the end of Brand Trump? What will Trump do after leaving the White House?

Gravitas: Trump's post-presidency plans

President-elect Joe Biden has launched a new Twitter handle to build his following before taking command of White House accounts on&nbsp;Inauguration Day.

Biden's account has just one tweet and it has already been verified by social networking platform Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Folks — This will be the account for my official duties as President. At 12:01 PM on January 20th, it will become <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>. Until then, I'll be using <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a>. And while you're here, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUSBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUSBiden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SenKamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenKamalaHarris</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SecondGentleman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecondGentleman</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Transition46?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Transition46</a>.
— President-elect Biden (@PresElectBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresElectBiden/status/1349918127413407747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Twitter&nbsp;Inc on Thursday said it will transfer institutional White House&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;accounts to Biden administration when the US&nbsp;President-elect swears in on January 20.

Twitter&nbsp;said it will facilitate the transfer of institutional White House&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;accounts including, @WhiteHouse, @POTUS, @VP, @FLOTUS, and @PressSec, adding those accounts will not automatically retain the followers from the prior administration.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;the Trump administration’s&nbsp;@POTUS&nbsp;account will be publicly archived as @POTUS45, just as the Obama administration’s account was archived as&nbsp;@POTUS44.

Earlier,&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;Inc Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said on Wednesday that banning President Donald Trump from its social media platform after last week's violence at the U.S. Capitol was the "right decision," but said it sets a dangerous precedent.

San Francisco-based&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;last week removed Trump's account, which had 88 million followers, citing the risk of further violence following the storming of the Capitol by supporters of the president.

Trump's refusal to accept any responsibility for the horrifying scenes on January 6 has infuriated allies and opponents alike.

President-elect Joe Biden has launched a new Twitter handle to build his following before taking command of White House accounts on Inauguration Day. Biden's account has just one tweet and it has already been verified by social networking platform Twitter.

President-elect Joe Biden has launched a new Twitter handle to build his following before taking command of White House accounts on Inauguration Day. Biden's account has just one tweet and it has already been verified by social networking platform Twitter. Folks — This will be the account for my official duties as President. At 12:01 PM on January 20th, it will become @POTUS. Until then, I'll be using @JoeBiden. And while you're here, follow @FLOTUSBiden @SenKamalaHarris @SecondGentleman and @Transition46. — President-elect Biden (@PresElectBiden) January 15, 2021 × Twitter Inc on Thursday said it will transfer institutional White House Twitter accounts to Biden administration when the US President-elect swears in on January 20. Twitter said it will facilitate the transfer of institutional White House Twitter accounts including, @WhiteHouse, @POTUS, @VP, @FLOTUS, and @PressSec, adding those accounts will not automatically retain the followers from the prior administration. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s @POTUS account will be publicly archived as @POTUS45, just as the Obama administration’s account was archived as @POTUS44. Earlier, Twitter Inc Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said on Wednesday that banning President Donald Trump from its social media platform after last week's violence at the U.S. Capitol was the "right decision," but said it sets a dangerous precedent. San Francisco-based Twitter last week removed Trump's account, which had 88 million followers, citing the risk of further violence following the storming of the Capitol by supporters of the president. Trump's refusal to accept any responsibility for the horrifying scenes on January 6 has infuriated allies and opponents alike.

Verified in one tweet: Joe Biden launches new Twitter handle to build following before taking command of White House

US Vice President Mike Pence has rejected invoking the 25th amendment to declare President Donald Trump incapable of executing his duties.

Breaking news: Pence says he will not invoke 25th amendment to remove Trump

The outgoing&nbsp;US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has declared a state of emergency in Washington a few days after his supporters marched into the Capitol building to destroy government property and protest against the US election results.

The news broke out in the late hours of Monday through a&nbsp;White House press office. The release claims the decision has been taken to make sure no such incident takes place in future as the inauguration ceremony for Joe Biden is scheduled to take place next week.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-warns-armed-trump-supporters-could-hold-protests-in-all-50-states-ahead-of-bidens-inauguration-356130" hreflang="en">FBI warns armed Trump supporters could hold protests in all 50 states</a>

"Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that an emergency exists in the District of Columbia and ordered Federal assistance to supplement the District’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from the 59th Presidential Inauguration from January 11 to January 24, 2021," the release states.

Through this action, the President has given authority to the&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to "coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the District of Columbia."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/days-after-capitol-riots-donald-trump-and-mike-pence-meet-in-oval-office-sources-356142">Days after Capitol riots, Donald trump and Mike Pence meet in Oval Office</a>

Further, FEMA can identify, mobilise and use discretion to provide resources and equipment to prevent any impacts of violence or situations of emergency. "Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 100 percent Federal funding."

This decision has come hours after&nbsp;he acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, resigned from his post due to the violence at the Capitol a week. ago. Following his rsignation, the White House press release states&nbsp;Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas J. Fargione as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-donald-trump-be-impeached-356125">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-donald-trump-be-impeached-356125/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">The decision has also come a few hours after the FBI&nbsp;warned that armed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-introduce-trump-impeachment-article-in-us-house-356120">Trump</a>&nbsp;supporters could hold protests in all 50 states between the coming weekend and January 20 when the president-elect Joe Biden takes the oath.</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Following this warning, the Pentagon has also authorised&nbsp;15,000 National Guard troops to be deployed in the capital city to make sure no more riots take place, especially in the next one week.&nbsp;Chief of the defence department's National Guard Bureau Daniel Hokanson said that at least 6,200 have already been deployed in capital Washington with another 10,000 planned deployment over the weekend.</div>

The outgoing US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in Washington a few days after his supporters marched into the Capitol building to destroy government property and protest against the US election results.

The outgoing US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in Washington a few days after his supporters marched into the Capitol building to destroy government property and protest against the US election results. The news broke out in the late hours of Monday through a White House press office. The release claims the decision has been taken to make sure no such incident takes place in future as the inauguration ceremony for Joe Biden is scheduled to take place next week. Also read| FBI warns armed Trump supporters could hold protests in all 50 states "Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that an emergency exists in the District of Columbia and ordered Federal assistance to supplement the District’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from the 59th Presidential Inauguration from January 11 to January 24, 2021," the release states. Through this action, the President has given authority to the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to "coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the District of Columbia." Also read| Days after Capitol riots, Donald trump and Mike Pence meet in Oval Office Further, FEMA can identify, mobilise and use discretion to provide resources and equipment to prevent any impacts of violence or situations of emergency. "Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 100 percent Federal funding." This decision has come hours after he acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, resigned from his post due to the violence at the Capitol a week. ago. Following his rsignation, the White House press release states Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas J. Fargione as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area. WATCH| The decision has also come a few hours after the FBI warned that armed Trump supporters could hold protests in all 50 states between the coming weekend and January 20 when the president-elect Joe Biden takes the oath. Following this warning, the Pentagon has also authorised 15,000 National Guard troops to be deployed in the capital city to make sure no more riots take place, especially in the next one week. Chief of the defence department's National Guard Bureau Daniel Hokanson said that at least 6,200 have already been deployed in capital Washington with another 10,000 planned deployment over the weekend.

Ahead of Biden's inauguration, Trump approves emergency declaration for Washington

Joe Biden receives his second and final dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Delaware. When asked about security concerns on his inauguration day, Biden responded by saying that he is not afraid of taking the oath outside.

Capitol riots raises security concerns for inauguration

Democrats and the US house representatives planned to start the impeachment proceedings of Wednesday unless outgoing President Donald Trump steps down or is removed.

Democrats plan to start impeachment procedure on Wednesday

Days after Trump's loyalists unleashed violence in the Capitol hill, calls for the impeachment of outgoing President Donald Trump is gaining momentum. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that she is ready to start impeachment proceedings.

Calls for Trump's impeachment gain momentum

House Democrats are prepared to impeach President Donald Trump if he doesn’t immediately resign, as the president came under increasing pressure from members of both parties for encouraging a mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol.

House Democrats readying for unprecedented second impeachment

Two months after the presidential election, Georgia voters will decide in two runoff elections on Tuesday which party controls the Senate, determining how much President-elect Joe Biden can accomplish during his first two years in the White House.

Because of a fluke of scheduling and the 2019 retirement of Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Republican, both Senate seats in Georgia were on the 2020 ballot. If the Democratic candidates, Jon Ossoff, a documentary film executive, and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a minister, win, Democrats will hold sway over the Senate by a single vote. If either of the Republican incumbents, Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, prevail, Republicans will retain their Senate majority.

Georgia law requires candidates to capture at least 50% of the vote to be declared a winner — a vestige of segregation-era policies designed to prevent Black candidates from sneaking through a crowded field of white opponents.

Neither of the state’s Senate races reached that threshold in November, forcing both into runoffs. Perdue is facing Ossoff in a regularly scheduled contest, and Loeffler, who was appointed to Isakson’s seat in December 2019, is vying against Warnock, who leads the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, in a special election.

About 3 million voters have already cast their ballots in the races. Here’s what we’re watching for as more voters head to the polls on Election Day.

Both Jon Ossoff and David Perdue want to nationalize their contest.

Perhaps no Republican in Congress has co-opted the Trump political ethos more fully than Perdue, a former corporate executive who made millions of dollars by outsourcing American jobs overseas and has now fully adopted President Donald Trump’s America First message.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-will-fight-like-hell-to-hold-on-to-presidency-donald-trump-354509">&nbsp;I will 'fight like hell' to hold on to presidency: Donald Trump</a>

And few Democrats are as representative of the party’s Trump-era resistance than Ossoff, a 33-year-old with a short resume who has proved to be a strong candidate and able fundraiser by emphasizing his commitment to a standard-issue multiracial progressive agenda.

Each man has sought to nationalize the stakes of the campaign. Ossoff has campaigned with former President Barack Obama, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Perdue has promised to “fight for Trump” and has called for Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to resign after Biden won the state.

Both of the candidates have framed the race in terms of its national implications, with Ossoff arguing that only if Georgia elects Democratic senators can Biden enact his legislative agenda — starting with increasing stimulus checks to $2,000 from $600. Perdue has said that he and Loeffler are the last bulwarks against a liberal takeover of Washington.

In November, Perdue won about 88,000 more votes than Ossoff, out of roughly 4.95 million cast. But the general election votes don’t carry over to the runoffs, and there is some evidence in the data for the early voting period that Democratic voters turned out in stronger numbers than Republicans did.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-leaked-audio-tape-reveals-he-wanted-to-find-votes-to-win-us-election-354264">Donald Trump's leaked audio tape reveals he wanted to 'find' votes to win US election</a>

Kelly Loeffler and Raphael Warnock are political novices with very different styles.

Loeffler, a wealthy businesswoman and political newcomer, was Gov. Brian Kemp’s controversial choice last year to step in for Isakson.

Conservative Republicans as well as Trump had backed another candidate. As if to prove them both wrong, Loeffler has embraced a conservative platform and become one of the president’s staunchest loyalists.

During a year in office, she has not become wildly popular among Georgians. In a field of 20 candidates in the November election, she garnered only 26% of the vote.

She has spent much of the past eight weeks in attack mode against Warnock, claiming that he would serve as a “rubber stamp” for socialism while she stands as a bulwark upholding American democracy. But on Monday evening, she aligned herself with Trump’s push to overturn the election results, announcing that she would vote against certifying Biden’s victory in the Electoral College.

She made the announcement after the end of the early voting period — which Democrats are expected to have dominated — and on the eve of Election Day and a rally with Trump as she seeks to gin up Republican turnout.

Warnock has also never run for public office, but he has been politically involved as an advocate for voting rights.

A seasoned orator, Warnock’s campaign stump speech resembles a Sunday morning church service. He shies from outright attacks on his opponent, instead emphasizing his childhood in a Savannah housing project and the influence of his hardworking father.

One exception is the Warnock campaign’s advertising that focused on the swirling controversy over Loeffler’s trades last year of millions of dollars of stock in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. The Justice Department conducted an investigation into whether Loeffler had traded on insider information gleaned during a Senate coronavirus briefing last January. Investigators notified her in May, however, that the government would not pursue charges.

These are the two most expensive Senate races ever.

The twin contests in Georgia have obliterated past spending records for Senate races, even after a year in which most of the previous marks had already been felled.

The Perdue-Ossoff race, including the spending before the runoff, is the priciest ever, with nearly $470 million in spending, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The No. 2 slot goes to the Loeffler-Warnock contest, which has shelled out more than $362 million so far. And both totals will rise when the final spending figures are reported.

For some perspective, only one Senate race before 2020 had ever topped $200 million.

The spending has meant waves and waves of negative advertisements in recent weeks, with Republicans casting both Democrats, but especially Warnock, as “radical” and too liberal for Georgia. The Democrats have framed the incumbents as out-of-touch rich senators who have traded on their positions to increase their personal wealth while ignoring the needs of Georgians.

In the runoffs alone, nearly $500 million in advertising has been run, most of it negative, according to data from AdImpact, which tracks television and digital buys. There is so much spending that the campaigns are buying tens of millions of dollars in ads in the media markets of neighboring states that spill over into Georgia.

The Democratic candidates themselves have been outraising the Republican incumbents. Each Democrat raised more than $100 million from mid-October to mid-December. But a flood of money into conservative super PACs has meant that the Republicans are outspending the Democrats overall on the airwaves, though some of that advantage is offset by the fact that television stations can charge higher prices for ads to super PACs.

One thing is certain: This election will break turnout records.

Even before the Election Day polls open, these high-stakes races have drawn unprecedented interest.

Already, more than 3 million people have voted, both by absentee ballot and at early voting sites around the state. That breaks the record for a Georgia Senate runoff election that was set in 2008, when 2.1 million people voted.

The early turnout data suggests high participation among Black voters, who make up a large part of Georgia’s Democratic electorate — a good sign for the party. A website that tracks voting shows that 31% of those who have voted so far are Black.

Another positive sign for Democrats is that 100,000 absentee ballots were requested by voters who did not participate in the November election. Many of them are believed to have registered to vote recently.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the two Democrats will win. One fact that bodes well for Republicans is the preference among Georgia Republicans to vote on Election Day. Another is that Democrats traditionally haven’t done well in Georgia runoff elections, which historically appeal to voters who are older, whiter and more Republican.

How will Trump’s core supporters respond to an election he says is illegal?

The Georgia contests come 15 days before Biden is to be sworn in, but Perdue and Loeffler have not been able to use their strongest argument — that they and a Republican Senate majority would serve as a check on the incoming Democratic president.

Trump’s repeated efforts to overturn the election results — the latest being a call on Saturday to Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, urging him to “find” more than 11,000 votes — have left the incumbents pledging to fight for the president rather than legislate in a post-Trump political era.

The political far right’s refusal to acknowledge Biden’s victory has led to high-profile calls for conservatives to boycott Georgia’s runoff contests and tweets from the president that the runoff system, embedded in Georgia elections for generations, is itself illegal.

What’s not known is how many core Trump supporters will be so put off by the president’s defeat, and angered by right-wing conspiracy theories about it, that they will abstain from voting in the runoffs.

Republicans have never lost a statewide runoff election in modern Georgia, since Democratic turnout has traditionally fallen from the level of general elections. But for the first time, Democrats have a mature and robust get-out-the-vote operation, and Republicans are the ones worried about their voters’ enthusiasm.

At a rally on Monday night in Dalton, Georgia, Trump again falsely claimed that he won Georgia and vowed to get involved in 2022 primary challenges to sitting Republicans who he said had not been sufficiently loyal to his efforts to overturn the result of the election.

“I’m going to be here in a year and a half,” he said. “And I’m going to be campaigning against your governor and your crazy secretary of state.”

Two months after the presidential election, Georgia voters will decide in two runoff elections on Tuesday which party controls the Senate, determining how much President-elect Joe Biden can accomplish during his first two years in the White House.

Two months after the presidential election, Georgia voters will decide in two runoff elections on Tuesday which party controls the Senate, determining how much President-elect Joe Biden can accomplish during his first two years in the White House. Because of a fluke of scheduling and the 2019 retirement of Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Republican, both Senate seats in Georgia were on the 2020 ballot. If the Democratic candidates, Jon Ossoff, a documentary film executive, and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a minister, win, Democrats will hold sway over the Senate by a single vote. If either of the Republican incumbents, Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, prevail, Republicans will retain their Senate majority. Georgia law requires candidates to capture at least 50% of the vote to be declared a winner — a vestige of segregation-era policies designed to prevent Black candidates from sneaking through a crowded field of white opponents. Neither of the state’s Senate races reached that threshold in November, forcing both into runoffs. Perdue is facing Ossoff in a regularly scheduled contest, and Loeffler, who was appointed to Isakson’s seat in December 2019, is vying against Warnock, who leads the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, in a special election. About 3 million voters have already cast their ballots in the races. Here’s what we’re watching for as more voters head to the polls on Election Day. Both Jon Ossoff and David Perdue want to nationalize their contest. Perhaps no Republican in Congress has co-opted the Trump political ethos more fully than Perdue, a former corporate executive who made millions of dollars by outsourcing American jobs overseas and has now fully adopted President Donald Trump’s America First message. Also read| I will 'fight like hell' to hold on to presidency: Donald Trump And few Democrats are as representative of the party’s Trump-era resistance than Ossoff, a 33-year-old with a short resume who has proved to be a strong candidate and able fundraiser by emphasizing his commitment to a standard-issue multiracial progressive agenda. Each man has sought to nationalize the stakes of the campaign. Ossoff has campaigned with former President Barack Obama, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Perdue has promised to “fight for Trump” and has called for Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to resign after Biden won the state. Both of the candidates have framed the race in terms of its national implications, with Ossoff arguing that only if Georgia elects Democratic senators can Biden enact his legislative agenda — starting with increasing stimulus checks to $2,000 from $600. Perdue has said that he and Loeffler are the last bulwarks against a liberal takeover of Washington. In November, Perdue won about 88,000 more votes than Ossoff, out of roughly 4.95 million cast. But the general election votes don’t carry over to the runoffs, and there is some evidence in the data for the early voting period that Democratic voters turned out in stronger numbers than Republicans did. Also read| Donald Trump's leaked audio tape reveals he wanted to 'find' votes to win US election Kelly Loeffler and Raphael Warnock are political novices with very different styles. Loeffler, a wealthy businesswoman and political newcomer, was Gov. Brian Kemp’s controversial choice last year to step in for Isakson. Conservative Republicans as well as Trump had backed another candidate. As if to prove them both wrong, Loeffler has embraced a conservative platform and become one of the president’s staunchest loyalists. During a year in office, she has not become wildly popular among Georgians. In a field of 20 candidates in the November election, she garnered only 26% of the vote. She has spent much of the past eight weeks in attack mode against Warnock, claiming that he would serve as a “rubber stamp” for socialism while she stands as a bulwark upholding American democracy. But on Monday evening, she aligned herself with Trump’s push to overturn the election results, announcing that she would vote against certifying Biden’s victory in the Electoral College. She made the announcement after the end of the early voting period — which Democrats are expected to have dominated — and on the eve of Election Day and a rally with Trump as she seeks to gin up Republican turnout. Warnock has also never run for public office, but he has been politically involved as an advocate for voting rights. A seasoned orator, Warnock’s campaign stump speech resembles a Sunday morning church service. He shies from outright attacks on his opponent, instead emphasizing his childhood in a Savannah housing project and the influence of his hardworking father. One exception is the Warnock campaign’s advertising that focused on the swirling controversy over Loeffler’s trades last year of millions of dollars of stock in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. The Justice Department conducted an investigation into whether Loeffler had traded on insider information gleaned during a Senate coronavirus briefing last January. Investigators notified her in May, however, that the government would not pursue charges. These are the two most expensive Senate races ever. The twin contests in Georgia have obliterated past spending records for Senate races, even after a year in which most of the previous marks had already been felled. The Perdue-Ossoff race, including the spending before the runoff, is the priciest ever, with nearly $470 million in spending, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The No. 2 slot goes to the Loeffler-Warnock contest, which has shelled out more than $362 million so far. And both totals will rise when the final spending figures are reported. For some perspective, only one Senate race before 2020 had ever topped $200 million. The spending has meant waves and waves of negative advertisements in recent weeks, with Republicans casting both Democrats, but especially Warnock, as “radical” and too liberal for Georgia. The Democrats have framed the incumbents as out-of-touch rich senators who have traded on their positions to increase their personal wealth while ignoring the needs of Georgians. In the runoffs alone, nearly $500 million in advertising has been run, most of it negative, according to data from AdImpact, which tracks television and digital buys. There is so much spending that the campaigns are buying tens of millions of dollars in ads in the media markets of neighboring states that spill over into Georgia. The Democratic candidates themselves have been outraising the Republican incumbents. Each Democrat raised more than $100 million from mid-October to mid-December. But a flood of money into conservative super PACs has meant that the Republicans are outspending the Democrats overall on the airwaves, though some of that advantage is offset by the fact that television stations can charge higher prices for ads to super PACs. One thing is certain: This election will break turnout records. Even before the Election Day polls open, these high-stakes races have drawn unprecedented interest. Already, more than 3 million people have voted, both by absentee ballot and at early voting sites around the state. That breaks the record for a Georgia Senate runoff election that was set in 2008, when 2.1 million people voted. The early turnout data suggests high participation among Black voters, who make up a large part of Georgia’s Democratic electorate — a good sign for the party. A website that tracks voting shows that 31% of those who have voted so far are Black. Another positive sign for Democrats is that 100,000 absentee ballots were requested by voters who did not participate in the November election. Many of them are believed to have registered to vote recently. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the two Democrats will win. One fact that bodes well for Republicans is the preference among Georgia Republicans to vote on Election Day. Another is that Democrats traditionally haven’t done well in Georgia runoff elections, which historically appeal to voters who are older, whiter and more Republican. How will Trump’s core supporters respond to an election he says is illegal? The Georgia contests come 15 days before Biden is to be sworn in, but Perdue and Loeffler have not been able to use their strongest argument — that they and a Republican Senate majority would serve as a check on the incoming Democratic president. Trump’s repeated efforts to overturn the election results — the latest being a call on Saturday to Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, urging him to “find” more than 11,000 votes — have left the incumbents pledging to fight for the president rather than legislate in a post-Trump political era. The political far right’s refusal to acknowledge Biden’s victory has led to high-profile calls for conservatives to boycott Georgia’s runoff contests and tweets from the president that the runoff system, embedded in Georgia elections for generations, is itself illegal. What’s not known is how many core Trump supporters will be so put off by the president’s defeat, and angered by right-wing conspiracy theories about it, that they will abstain from voting in the runoffs. Republicans have never lost a statewide runoff election in modern Georgia, since Democratic turnout has traditionally fallen from the level of general elections. But for the first time, Democrats have a mature and robust get-out-the-vote operation, and Republicans are the ones worried about their voters’ enthusiasm. At a rally on Monday night in Dalton, Georgia, Trump again falsely claimed that he won Georgia and vowed to get involved in 2022 primary challenges to sitting Republicans who he said had not been sufficiently loyal to his efforts to overturn the result of the election. “I’m going to be here in a year and a half,” he said. “And I’m going to be campaigning against your governor and your crazy secretary of state.”

Georgia senate runoffs: What to watch for

US President-Elect Joe Biden and outgoing President Donald Trump held rival rallies in the state of Georgia to ensure that there are supporters to close the US Senate Elections that would determine the balance of power in Washington.

United States: Joe Biden & Donald Trump hold rival rallies in Georgia state

Sixty-one percent of White House appointees are women and 54 per cent are people of colour, President-elect Joe Biden's transition team said.

On Wednesday, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris surpassed their goal of naming 100 members of their incoming administration.

These accomplished individuals join a historic and barrier-breaking White House and administration that looks like America, and is ready to deliver results for working families on day one, Biden's transition team said.

The Biden-Harris administration will prioritise diversity of ideology and background, and foster talent to address the nation's most complex challenges, it said.

The White House staff represents a small percentage of the total number of Biden-Harris appointees that will serve across the federal government, said the transition.

"The first 100+ White House appointees, including those announced today, represent America in the following ways: 61 per cent are women, 54 per cent are people of colour, AAPI appointees represent more than twice their share of the national population, LGBTQ+ appointees account for 11 per cent of all White House staff," said the Biden transition.

According to the statistics released by the Biden transition, almost 20 per cent of appointees are first-generation Americans and about 40 per cent of White House senior staff have children at home.

"From the beginning, Vice President-elect Harris and I have sought to build an administration that looks like America. Building a diverse team will lead to better outcomes and more effective solutions to address the urgent crises facing our nation. The appointees named today will draw from their expertise and life experiences to help us build the country back better. Moving forward together, there's nothing we can't accomplish," Biden said.

Harris said to meet unprecedented challenges facing the American people, an administration should be build that reflects the very best of the country.

"These remarkable public servants have the knowledge and expertise to hit the ground running on day one. And I look forward to working with them to get this virus under control, safely and responsibly reopen our economy and our schools, and build back our country in a way that lifts up all Americans," she said.

"The president-elect and vice president-elect have been committed to building a White House team that is filled with crisis-tested experts who will hit the ground running on day one. I am thrilled that we have accomplished our goal of naming 100 staff members by the end of 2020 - and I could not be more proud of the talented and diverse team we will put to work for the American people," said incoming White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain.

Sixty-one percent of White House appointees are women and 54 per cent are people of colour, President-elect Joe Biden's transition team said. On Wednesday, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris surpassed their goal of naming 100 members of their incoming administration.

Sixty-one percent of White House appointees are women and 54 per cent are people of colour, President-elect Joe Biden's transition team said. On Wednesday, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris surpassed their goal of naming 100 members of their incoming administration. These accomplished individuals join a historic and barrier-breaking White House and administration that looks like America, and is ready to deliver results for working families on day one, Biden's transition team said. The Biden-Harris administration will prioritise diversity of ideology and background, and foster talent to address the nation's most complex challenges, it said. The White House staff represents a small percentage of the total number of Biden-Harris appointees that will serve across the federal government, said the transition. "The first 100+ White House appointees, including those announced today, represent America in the following ways: 61 per cent are women, 54 per cent are people of colour, AAPI appointees represent more than twice their share of the national population, LGBTQ+ appointees account for 11 per cent of all White House staff," said the Biden transition. According to the statistics released by the Biden transition, almost 20 per cent of appointees are first-generation Americans and about 40 per cent of White House senior staff have children at home. "From the beginning, Vice President-elect Harris and I have sought to build an administration that looks like America. Building a diverse team will lead to better outcomes and more effective solutions to address the urgent crises facing our nation. The appointees named today will draw from their expertise and life experiences to help us build the country back better. Moving forward together, there's nothing we can't accomplish," Biden said. Harris said to meet unprecedented challenges facing the American people, an administration should be build that reflects the very best of the country. "These remarkable public servants have the knowledge and expertise to hit the ground running on day one. And I look forward to working with them to get this virus under control, safely and responsibly reopen our economy and our schools, and build back our country in a way that lifts up all Americans," she said. "The president-elect and vice president-elect have been committed to building a White House team that is filled with crisis-tested experts who will hit the ground running on day one. I am thrilled that we have accomplished our goal of naming 100 staff members by the end of 2020 - and I could not be more proud of the talented and diverse team we will put to work for the American people," said incoming White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain.

In Biden's team for White House, 61% are women, 54% are people of colour

United States President-elect Joe Biden will take over the presidential duties from Donald Trump starting January 20, 2021. On December 28, Biden announced members of the core team responsible for digital strategy at the White House.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/joe-biden-promises-to-reverse-trumps-immigration-policies-352419/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Part of the Digital Strategy team is India-born Aisha Shah, who will work as the Partnerships Manager. Prior to this, she had served the Digital Partnerships Manager on the Biden-Harris election campaign.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/new-coronavirus-variant-hits-us-as-biden-vows-all-out-effort-353244" hreflang="en">New coronavirus variant hits US as Biden vows all-out effort</a>

Currently, Shah works as an “Advancement Specialist” for the Smithsonian Institution. Earlier, she worked as the Assistant Manager for the Corporate Fund of the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. 
 
Shah has also worked as a strategic communications specialist at Buoy, which is an integrated marketing firm.

Aisha Shah was born in Kashmir, India and was raised in Louisiana, USA. She is an alumni of Davidson College.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/biden-says-trump-aides-setting-roadblocks-for-his-transition-team-353070" hreflang="en">Biden says Trump aides setting 'roadblocks' for his transition team</a>

"This team of diverse experts has a wide range of experience in digital strategy and will help connect the White House to the American people in new and innovative ways. They bring a shared commitment to building our nation back better, and I am thrilled to have them on our team,” Biden said in a statement ahead of the revelation.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris had earlier claimed how important it is to be inclusive for this administration. 
&nbsp;

United States President-elect Joe Biden will take over the presidential duties from Donald Trump starting January 20, 2021. On December 28, Biden announced members of the core team responsible for digital strategy at the White House.

United States President-elect Joe Biden will take over the presidential duties from Donald Trump starting January 20, 2021. On December 28, Biden announced members of the core team responsible for digital strategy at the White House. Part of the Digital Strategy team is India-born Aisha Shah, who will work as the Partnerships Manager. Prior to this, she had served the Digital Partnerships Manager on the Biden-Harris election campaign. Also read: New coronavirus variant hits US as Biden vows all-out effort Currently, Shah works as an “Advancement Specialist” for the Smithsonian Institution. Earlier, she worked as the Assistant Manager for the Corporate Fund of the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Shah has also worked as a strategic communications specialist at Buoy, which is an integrated marketing firm. Aisha Shah was born in Kashmir, India and was raised in Louisiana, USA. She is an alumni of Davidson College. Also read: Biden says Trump aides setting 'roadblocks' for his transition team "This team of diverse experts has a wide range of experience in digital strategy and will help connect the White House to the American people in new and innovative ways. They bring a shared commitment to building our nation back better, and I am thrilled to have them on our team,” Biden said in a statement ahead of the revelation. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris had earlier claimed how important it is to be inclusive for this administration.

India-born Aisha Shah part of the upcoming Digital Strategy White House team under Biden

US weapons manufacturer Raytheon Technologies Corp will be able to sell the weapons directly to the Saudis when it receives the licence

Trump administration pushing $498m arms sale to Saudi Arabia: Reports

Their names were included in a wave of pre-Christmas pardons announced by the White House. Trump granted full pardons to 15 people and commuted all or part of the sentences of five others.

Donald Trump grants full pardons to 15 individuals including Russian probe figure George Papadopoulos

Donald Trump concludes his terms in White House. He has announced a wave of Pardons. The pardon include former campaign aide of George Papadopoulos who is pleaded guilty in the Russia probe.

Donald Trump grants full pardons to 15 people

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