Obamas to attend Biden inauguration

Former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama will be in attendance for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration later this month, a spokeswoman confirmed Friday.

“President and Mrs. Obama look forward to attending the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on January 20 in Washington, D.C.,” Katie Hill said in a statement.

The Obamas were widely expected to be there when Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are sworn into office. Confirmation of their attendance came shortly after President Trump said he would not attend the swearing-in ceremony.

The Obamas will join former President Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush on Inauguration Day at the Capitol. Former President Carter, who is 96, and his wife Rosalynn Carter are not expected to attend.

Biden served as vice president alongside Obama for eight years, and the two remain close friends. The 44th president campaigned for Biden in the final weeks of the 2020 presidential race, while Michelle Obama delivered a stinging rebuke of Trump during the Democratic National Convention in August. The former first lady, who is among the most popular figures in the party, otherwise stayed off the campaign trail last year.

Biden’s inauguration will be scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic, and officials have urged Americans to avoid traveling to the nation’s capital to be there in person. Virtual events are planned, though the swearing-in ceremony is still expected to take place outside the Capitol.

Security concerns have been heightened in the wake of a violent mob of pro-Trump supporters that breached the Capitol on Wednesday after the president urged them to march on the building and discourage lawmakers from certifying Biden as the winner of the election.

The U.S. Secret Service, which is leading security efforts for the inauguration, said Thursday it has been planning for over a year for all possible contingencies to ensure a safe event.