CAN THEY REALLY UNITE AMERICA?
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Sworn in as 46th U.S. President;
Kamala D. Harris Sworn in as First
Madam / Black / Indian / Jamaican Vice President
WASHINGTON, D.C. – They ran with the objective of uniting a broken country…now, they have their chance.
On Jan. 20, 2021, the United States of America welcomed its 46th Commander-in-Chief and 49th Second-in-Command. The inauguration was much different than in years past. There was no sea of thousands of supporters welcoming the new administration. The reason being two-fold; one, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has forced the need to refrain from large gatherings, and two, the Capitol Hill siege from two weeks prior that forced the need for immense security protocols.
First, Vice President Kamala Devi Harris was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Born on Oct. 20, 1964, the former California U.S. Senator is now the first woman and minority to ever serve as Vice President, and has also become the highest ranking female in the United States Government. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, has the distinction of being America’s first “second gentleman.”
Then, President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. was sworn in by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts on the steps of the Capitol at 11:49 a.m. A former Vice President under Barack H. Obama, Biden now owns the distinction of being the oldest President ever sworn into office, at the age of 78, born on Nov. 20, 1942. His wife, Jill Biden, will serve as the First Lady of the United States – all while maintaining her position as an educator.
In his first address to the nation as Commander-in-Chief, President Biden stressed his mission of unity, asking for Americans to lower the temperature and, “without unity, there is no peace.” Biden also sought to impress the importance of ending systemic racism, addressing the climate crisis, fighting the pandemic, and safeguarding the truth, which seemed to reference the recent denials of the election results.
“The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious, and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed,” said President Biden. “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve.”
Among those in attendance were former Vice President Mike Pence, as well as former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton along with their wives. Former POTUS Jimmy Carter and his wife did not attend for safety reasons.
Of course, the most glaring absence was that of former President Donald Trump, who flew with former First Lady Melania Trump to Florida on Air Force One right before Biden was sworn into office. Trump became the first president in over 150 years not to attend the inauguration of his successor.
