Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart,” Biden said. “I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. Four years after Trump’s “American Carnage” speech painted a dark portrait of national decay, Biden warned that the fabric of the nation’s democracy was tearing but expressed faith that it could be repaired. Trump, awaiting his second impeachment trial, was at his Florida resort by the time the swearing-in took place.īiden, in his third run for the presidency, staked his candidacy less on any distinctive political ideology than on galvanizing a broad coalition of voters around the notion that Trump posed an existential threat to American democracy. Bush and Barack Obama - were there to witness the ceremonial transfer of power. The absence of Biden’s predecessor from the inaugural ceremony underscored the national rift to be healed.īut a bipartisan trio of former presidents - Bill Clinton, George W. WATCH: Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris On Day One, he planned a series of executive actions to roll back Trump administration initiatives and also planned to send an immigration proposal to Capitol Hill that would create an eight-year path to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally. “Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged, or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now.”īiden was eager to go big early, with an ambitious first 100 days including a push to speed up the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations to anxious Americans and pass a $1.9 trillion economic relief package. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain,” Biden said. “We have much to do in this winter of peril, and significant possibilities. The new president denounced “lies told for power and for profit” and was blunt about the challenges ahead.Ĭentral among them: the surging virus that has claimed more than 400,000 lives in the United States, as well as economic strains and a national reckoning over race. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve.”īiden never mentioned his predecessor, who defied tradition and left town ahead of the ceremony, but his speech was an implicit rebuke of Donald Trump. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed,” Biden said. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. “The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. Instead, Biden gazed out over 200,000 American flags planted on the National Mall to symbolize those who could not attend in person. On a cold Washington morning dotted with snow flurries, the quadrennial ceremony unfolded within a circle of security forces evocative of a war zone and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic. Capitol that had been battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks earlier. Watch all of PBS NewHour’s Inauguration Day coverage in the video player above.īiden took the oath at a U.S. for the ceremony this year.WASHINGTON (AP) - Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” and summoning American resilience and unity to confront the deeply divided nation’s historic confluence of crises. flags were expected to cover a section of the National Mall to represent Americans unable to travel to Washington, D.C. In this photo, a "Field of Flags" covers the National Mall as the U.S Capitol Building is prepared for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. and environs for the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States. Here is a look at the scene in Washington D.C. The January 6 assault on the Capitol and a raging coronavirus pandemic meant changes that were hard to miss, everything from masked inspectors to law enforcement in full tactical gear. But well before the Januswearing-in of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, it was apparent that this year's event would look quite different. The inauguration of a president is usually marked by lavish balls, colorful parades and hundreds of thousands of spectators.
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