Mike Pence watched his replacement, J.D. Vance, take the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Jan. 20, eight years after standing in the same position. Karen Pence skipped the service

"This is a day when every American does well to celebrate our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power," Pence wrote.

President Donald Trump used his second inaugural address to hold up his indomitability and escape from a would-be assassin’s bullet as a metaphor for a “strong,” “proud” nation that “will not be conquered.

Trump said his pardons and commutations for Jan. 6 defendants were justified, and argued that people who commit violent crime in other cities don't get charged.

Some of the president's own team had signalled not all of those arrested over the Capitol riot would be released - until Monday.