# Biden & Harris Inauguration Predictions **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 8, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071 "2020-11-08T18:16:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/1 "2020-11-08T18:16:13Z")
1. Will Donald Trump or Mike Pence attend? 2. Will Joe Biden thank both of them(Trump-Pence) for their service? 3. How the heck do they inaugurate him socially distanced? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/2 "2020-11-08T18:18:18Z")
1. No way in Hell 2. Doubt it 3. Easily. Roberts, Jill and Joe are all masked and they do it indoors someplace like Blair House. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/3 "2020-11-08T18:19:13Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Easily. Roberts, Jill and Joe are all masked and they do it indoors someplace like Blair House. I mean, aren’t they going to attempt to do the full show outside the capitol building? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/4 "2020-11-08T18:20:35Z")
I seriously doubt it. Bad optics in addition to being bad health practice. Joe will lead by example. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/5 "2020-11-08T18:25:37Z")
I think it’ll happen inside. This was President Obama taking his second oath of office indoors on January 20th 2013. The date of the 20th fell on a Sunday so they did the big event at the Capitol the following day in which he did the oath again. [https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ty0PCwuypwycs7dHPfOOTA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTQ3MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/theticket/obama-roberts-oath-2013.jpg](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ty0PCwuypwycs7dHPfOOTA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTQ3MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/theticket/obama-roberts-oath-2013.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/6 "2020-11-08T18:51:48Z")
1. Trump wont. Pence will, possibly as the outgoing POTUS. 2. He won’t thank Trump. 50/50 shot that he thanks Pence. 3. I’m picturing something similar to his victory speech last night. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/7 "2020-11-09T00:25:50Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > > [@silenus](#): > > > > Easily. Roberts, Jill and Joe are all masked and they do it indoors someplace like Blair House. > > I mean, aren’t they going to attempt to do t **he full show outside the capitol building?** I’d bet against that (the bolded-by-me part), because of how likely it is that January 20 will come as the culmination of weeks of COVID deaths and hospitalizations at an ever-increasing rate. The news will be bleak. A massive gathering in D.C. will seem out of the question. I mean, I hope I’m wrong about all that. But it’s likely to happen if current trends continue (and Trump isn’t going to lift a finger to stop any of that in coming weeks). ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/8 "2020-11-09T02:42:20Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > - Will Donald Trump or Mike Pence attend? > - Will Joe Biden thank both of them(Trump-Pence) for their service? > - How the heck do they inaugurate him socially distanced? 1- Since it was phrased as “or”, I’d say 95%, Pence is a dick, but he strikes me as more traditionalist and would attend. It’s possible Donald orders him not to, in which case I hope Pence tells him to pound sand. No way in hell does Don the Con attend. 2- I wouldn’t, but I’m not as gracious as Biden. He’ll probably thank the career civil servants for their help in the transition. 3- Indoors. No need for a crowd. Set the good example, especially since the pandemic will still be raging. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/9 "2020-11-09T03:04:25Z")
Hey, I look forward to returning to this thread on Inauguration Day to see how we did. My predictions: 1. No way in hell will Trump attend. I give it 50-50 that Pence will. 2. Joe will find a diplomatic way to acknowledge the past administration with grace, without outright thanking Trump. He’ll say something about “the dedicated people who worked hard in the last Administration because they love America” and/or he’ll thank the voters who supported Trump for caring enough about the country to hold sincere convictions. Though one hopes the Biden speechwriters take the time to make the phrasing more elegant than what I’m spontaneously typing. 3. The physical swearing in will be small (unless Covid miraculously goes away by then). But Democratic operatives will figure out gimmicks to engender a feeling of support and enthusiasm through social media/small local socially distanced gatherings around the country/whatever. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/10 "2020-11-09T03:22:52Z")
1. No to Trump, but I expect Pence to show up unless it’s EXTREMELY small. 2. I was struggling with words, but then this post nailed it: > [@CairoCarol](#): > > Joe will find a diplomatic way to acknowledge the past administration with grace, without outright thanking Trump. He’ll say something about “the dedicated people who worked hard in the last Administration because they love America” and/or he’ll thank the voters who supported Trump for caring enough about the country to hold sincere convictions. 1. I expect the number of people physically present to be small. The only people who need to be there are Roberts, Biden, Harris, and a couple of video people. They will all wear masks. They won’t crowd each other. I expect they will do it outdoors on the mall and have some distanced spectators. They could spray-paint circles in the grass, for instance. But if the pandemic is really raging, they may do it on the white house lawn, essentially in private, with just the principals and a few close family members. ---
**Author:** ![SwissMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@SwissMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwissMan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/11 "2020-11-09T03:31:00Z")
1. Not a chance in hell Trump attends. Pence may attend; at that point, Trump won’t have anything more to offer to him, so he’ll probably try to show some decorum. I get the feeling Trump may actually try to hold a rally of some kind that day. If so, the major media networks and websites need to agree to a total blackout on coverage of it. 2. I agree with previous posters who said Biden will try to thank the people who worked in the previous administration generally, without referring specifically to Trump. 3. The ceremony will likely be a small one, not a typical inaugural. I’m thinking Reagan’s second inaugural in 1985 (held in the Capitol Rotunda, because it was absolutely frigid in D.C. the day of) may serve as something of a template. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/12 "2020-11-09T03:50:13Z")
> [@SwissMan](#): > > I get the feeling Trump may actually try to hold a rally of some kind that day. Excellent prediction. Why didn’t I think of that? I agree. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/13 "2020-11-09T05:11:23Z")
And then he’ll bombard Twitter with claims that the crowd at his rally was soooooo much biglier than Biden’s. Which it most likely will be, because Biden will most likely be adhering to COVID protocol. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/14 "2020-12-17T15:08:05Z")
Looks like Mikey has made other plans… [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/530631-pence-may-leave-for-overseas-trip-after-certifying-vote-report](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/530631-pence-may-leave-for-overseas-trip-after-certifying-vote-report) > Vice President [Mike Pence](https://thehill.com/people/mike-michael-pence) is reportedly planning to leave for a foreign trip after confirming President-elect [Joe Biden](https://thehill.com/people/joe-biden)’s win on Jan. 6. > > Three U.S. officials told [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/17/pence-trump-election-loss-447326?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=00000168-28ce-decb-a779-bbcf6c550000&nlid=630318) that Pence is considering **a week-long overseas trip** that would begin on Jan. 6, the day he is expected to confirm Biden’s win and his ticket’s loss in the presidential election. > > The vote itself places Pence in an awkward spot given [President Trump](https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump)’s refusal to concede the race. Pence’s job is largely ceremonial, but his constitutional duty is to confirm the winner of the election. > > … > > Leaving the country could allow Pence to avoid the ire of Trump and his supporters. > … Ya think? My bold. “Week long”? Um… this isn’t gonna blow over in a week. Better pack spring and summer clothes, too, Mike. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/15 "2020-12-17T15:13:44Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Ya think? > > My bold. “Week long”? Um… this isn’t gonna blow over in a week. Better pack spring and summer clothes, too, Mike. - Does it really get that warm in Russia? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/16 "2020-12-17T15:16:36Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > My bold. “Week long”? Um… this isn’t gonna blow over in a week. Better pack spring and summer clothes, too, Mike. We’d all be better if Pence never returned. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/17 "2020-12-17T15:18:44Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > My bold. “Week long”? Um… this isn’t gonna blow over in a week. Better pack spring and summer clothes, too, Mike. > > We’d all be better if Pence never returned. - Any chance we could just put him on the MTA without exit fare? Yeah, I know it’s no longer the MTA and it’s electronic cards. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/18 "2020-12-17T15:21:36Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Any chance we could just put him on the MTA without exit fare?- _Will he ever return? No, he’ll never return And his fate is still unlearned…_ ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/19 "2020-12-17T15:24:07Z")
Providing that he [leaves the White House](https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-reportedly-threatened-not-to-leave-white-house-on-inauguration-day2020-12). ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071/20 "2020-12-17T16:05:26Z")
I think both Trump and Pence will be there along with Amy Coney-Barrett who will administer the oaths of office to them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-harris-inauguration-predictions/925071.md?page=2)