Biden’s inauguration on the steps of the US Capitol will be among the strangest in American history because of the one-two punch of a coronavirus pandemic sweeping the nation and heightened security following deadly mob violence at the Capitol itself. In this daunting situation he will try to find the words to begin healing a bitterly polarised nation. But quite possibly nothing Biden says will be as important as the symbolism of Vice-President Mike Pence and former presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama gathering to witness a peaceful transfer of power. Many hope that the bipartisan tableau will herald a return to political norms and a turning of the page after four years of turmoil under Trump, who has announced that he will be the first president in 150 years to boycott the ceremonial handover to his successor.