The inauguration ceremony was flanked with camouflaged guards, pop icons and messages of unity Credit: Shutterstock Squinting into the sun with a hand on the Bible, Joe Biden said the words he dreamed of uttering for at least half of his life. “I, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States.” Mr Biden, 78, had spent 36 years as a US senator, eight years as US vice president, and tried three different times to reach the top job. Here, standing before the US Capitol shortly before noon with relatives nearby and the world watching, he finally achieved his goal.