WASHINGTON — Joseph R. Biden Jr. has been sworn in as president of the United States and Kamala Harris has become the first female Vice President in US history. "Democracy has prevailed," the new US president said, calling for unity after the violence seen at Capitol Hill. Donald Trump departed the White House earlier in the day, stating that it was an "honor" to serve as president. Trump did not take part in the inauguration ceremony — becoming the first outgoing president to do so in 152 years. President Biden signed Cabinet nominations and an inaugural document in a ceremonial first action as president. Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice-president ahead of Biden. She is the first woman — and the first black and Asian-American person — to serve in the role, a heartbeat from the presidency. The inauguration took place at the US Capitol. There was extra-tight security after the building was stormed by violent pro-Trump protesters in a deadly riot on Jan 6. Some 25,000 National Guards protected the ceremony, which missed the traditional hundreds of thousands of spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic. In his inaugural address, Biden said it was a day of "history and hope". "My whole soul is in putting America back together again," he added. Highlighting a message of unity after the turbulent Trump years, he promised to be a president "for all Americans" — including those who voted against him. Among those attending the ceremony were three of his predecessors: Barack Obama — under whom Biden served for eight years as vice president — Bill Clinton and George W Bush. Former Vice President Mike Pence also attended. He skipped Trump"s farewell military salute event. The inauguration ceremony included musical performances by Lady Gaga — who sang the national anthem — as well as Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks. An evening concert at the Lincoln Memorial in the city will be hosted by Tom Hanks and will feature Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, and Demi Lovato. In the afternoon, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to pay their respects to US military war dead, accompanied by former US Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. The new president"s motorcade was led to the White House by an escort of police motorcycles. He walked the last block with his family and hugged his wife Jill before entering their new home. — Agencies