Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th American President on Wednesday, ending one of the most dramatic transition periods in US political history. The small ceremony of fewer than two thousand people was held at the US Capitol amidst the unprecedented security measures in Washington following the January 6 violence by pro-Trump demonstrators.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, thousands of people missed the inauguration ceremony, and more than 25,000 National Guard troops had been deployed in the district of Columbia. After taking oath from the Chief justice John Roberts, Biden said, “Democracy has prevailed.” On the other hand, Trump, who has not conceded to his rival’s victory in the presidential election, did not participate in the inauguration ceremony, departing from a historic precedent of American democracy.
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Soon after assuming the presidential office, Biden issued a flurry of orders, reversing his predecessor’s policies. Besides, ahead of Biden, his running mate Kamala Harris was sworn in as the Vice President, making his as the first Indian American to hold the office. While addressing the nation, President Biden told the Americans that this was the day of “hope and history.” He further added, “My whole soul is in putting America back together again.”
Additionally, he promised to be the president of all the Americans, including those who voted against him, highlighting a message of unity following four years of Trump’s presidency. Three of his predecessors attended the ceremony, including former president Barrack Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton. Interestingly, Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence also attended the ceremony.
Besides, the extraordinary inauguration ceremony included musical performances by well-known singers, including Lady Gaga, Garth Brooks, and Jennifer Lopez. Another evening concert at the Lincoln Memorial is planned, which will be hosted by the outstanding actor Tom Hanks and will feature musical performances by John Legend, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, and Jon Bon Jovi.
A few hours after the inauguration, President and Vice President visited Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to pay tribute to the US war dead. Later, the presidential motorcade left for the White House, and Biden walked the last block with his family, and before entering his new home, he hugged his wife. While talking to the news reporters later in the day, President Biden said that Trump had written him a “gorgeous letter”, but he added, “Because it was private, I won’t talk about it until I talk to him.”
On the other hand, the outgoing president left the White House early on Wednesday to a nearby Air Force base. While speaking to his farewell ceremony at the Andrews Air Force base, he described his time in the White House as a success. Later, he left for Florida. Interestingly, in his last hours as the US President, Trump granted presidential pardons to more than 140 people, including a former advisor Steve Bannon, who had been facing serious criminal charges.
Following his historic second impeachment, the upper chamber of the US Congress is expected to put him on trial soon. Plus, the Republican Senator Mitch McConnel said on Tuesday that the Capitol rioters had been provoked by lies fed by Trump.
