Members of Congress have started to arrive at the Capitol for Inauguration.
Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell told reporters "it is disappointing that for the first time in our country’s history we will not have a peaceful transfer of power," but added that today is a day of "renewal."
Democratic Rep. Karen Bass said that for her, today is about getting control of the Covid-19 pandemic and that "for me personally is, is that an end of the divisiveness an end of the racism, of the narcissism, I mean it's been a terrible four years, it really has. Our country has been ripped apart. I was here on January 6. And so today what it means for me personally is that maybe our nation can heal now."
Bass, who did not attend Trump’s inauguration, said that today was a historic day to be able to watch Kamala Harris be sworn in as the first woman and also the first Black and South Asian woman to be sworn into office.
"It’s a new day in America" Rep. Juan Vargas, a Democrat from California, said.Â
Asked about the enhanced security around the event, Vargas shared that he has had conversations with many members of the National Guard and that they are excited to be at the event.
"We have met so many Guardsmen and it has been fantastic," Vargas said. "They’re all excited about being here."
"It has been uplifting in a way that I did not expect."
Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Mitch McConnell were also seen arriving at the Capitol ahead of the event.