Joe Biden was sworn in because the 46th president on Wednesday, bringing to an finish one of the unorthodox, turbulent presidencies in U.S. historical past.
“Today, we celebrate triumph not of a candidate but of a cause: the cause of democracy,” Biden stated moments after taking the oath of workplace. “The people, the will of the people has been heard.”
“We have learned again that democracy is precious, democracy is fragile,” he added. “And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”
In his roughly 25-minute speech, Biden referred to as for nationwide unity and pledged to deal with “with purpose and resolve” the monumental points plaguing the nation, together with the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism and local weather change.
“We can treat each other with dignity and respect,” Biden stated. “We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury. No progress, only exhausting outrage.”
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts led Biden within the oath of workplace, utilizing a Bible that has been within the president’s household since 1893. His son Beau Biden used the identical Bible when he was sworn in as Delaware legal professional normal in 2007.
Minutes earlier, Kamala Harris was sworn in as vp by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the primary Latina member of the courtroom. Harris used a Bible that when belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the primary Black Supreme Court justice.
Harris’ vice presidency is historic in a number of regards: She’s the primary feminine, Black and South Asian particular person to carry the place.
At 78 years previous, Biden is the oldest U.S. president to take the oath of workplace. He is the fifteenth vp to change into the nation’s chief government.
Donald Trump departed the White House shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday for Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the place he delivered temporary unscripted remarks.
“Have a good life,” Trump stated throughout the last moments of his farewell. “We will see you soon.”
Trump is the primary president in 152 years to skip his successor’s inauguration. He nonetheless has not formally conceded the election, nor has he reached out to Biden to congratulate him on his victory. Trump did, nonetheless, leave a letter for Biden within the White House, persevering with a long-standing custom between outgoing and incoming presidents.
Biden has ready a sequence of government actions to signal throughout his first day in workplace, comparable to requiring face masks in federal buildings, rejoining the Paris local weather accord and ending Trump’s so-called Muslim ban.
Read stay updates on Biden’s inauguration under. (Note: An advert blocker might stop you from seeing the weblog, so for those who’re utilizing one, please pause or flip it off.)
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