Sometime around noon today, President-Elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. 

After a Senate career of 36 years and an eight-year run as vice president under Barack Obama, Biden now will be leading the country alongside former Sen. Kamala Harris — the first female vice president. Together, they will take their oaths of office on the steps of the United States Capitol.

This inauguration is consistent with the country’s long tradition of transitioning to a new president, but it will ultimately differ significantly from the years in the past.

One major difference is that the event will largely be watched virtually, online instead of by in-person crowds.

This decision is one that comes as the world still suffers from a global pandemic, and the investigation continues into the U.S. Capitol attack two weeks ago. Public attendance has been discouraged and will be restricted.

President Donald Trump has stated his reluctance to attend his successor’s inauguration, something that only three prior presidents have done throughout the nation’s history. However, Vice President Mike Pence is expected to be present. 

This detail highlights the biggest challenge for Biden’s path going forward — the state of the union.

As it now stands, the United States is the most politically divided it has been in decades. Biden’s administration faces the daunting task of trying to unite the country.

The authorization of up to 25,000 members of the National Guard to secure the nation’s capital and to protect the inauguration is the certification of this divide. As Biden and Harris are sworn in, a second impeachment for Trump is underway.

No matter how one looks at it, Biden’s task of leading a polarized nation is a tall order. 

Harris’s important role in the next administration also cannot be understated. Her role will become crucial, as the Senate will be evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, giving her the tie-breaker vote in future decisions.

The upcoming days and weeks under a new administration will be either felt with relief or uncertainty by the American people, as Biden’s call for healing and unity will be put to the test.