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u.s. news Diahuebs 21 Januari 2021

Biden takes the helm as president: 'Democracy has prevailed'

(AP) — Joe Biden was of COVID-19 vaccinations est-ranking woman ever to
sworn in as the 46th presi- to anxious Americans and serve in government.
dent of the United States pass a $1.9 trillion virus re-
on Wednesday, summon- lief package. On Day One, he The two were sworn in dur-
ing American resilience to planned a series of executive ing an inauguration ceremo-
confront a historic conflu- actions to roll back Trump ny with few parallels. Tens
ence of crises and urging administration initiatives and of thousands of troops were
people to come together also planned to send an im- on the streets to provide se-
to end an “uncivil war” in migration proposal to Capi- curity precisely two weeks
a nation deeply divided af- tol Hill that would create an after a violent mob of Trump
ter four tumultuous years. eight-year path to citizenship supporters, incited by the Re-
for immigrants living in the publican president, stormed
Declaring that “democracy country illegally. the Capitol in an attempt to
has prevailed,” Biden took prevent the certification of
the oath at a U.S. Capitol The absence of Biden's pre- Biden’s victory.
that had been battered by an decessor from the inaugural
insurrectionist siege just two ceremony, a break from tra- “Here we stand, just days
weeks earlier. dition, underscored the rift after a riotous mob thought
to be healed. they could use violence to si- Harris and their spouses has never been better," said
On a chill Washington morn- lence the will of the people,” were joined by the former Trump. He wished the in-
ing dotted with snow flurries, But a bipartisan trio of three Biden said. "To stop the work presidents to lay a wreath at coming administration well
the quadrennial ceremony former presidents — Bill of our democracy. To drive us the Tomb of the Unknown but never mentioned Biden's
unfolded within a circle of Clinton, George W. Bush and from this sacred ground. It Soldier at Arlington National name.
security forces evocative of Barack Obama — were there did not happen. It will never Ceremony.
a war zone and devoid of to witness the ceremonial happen. Not today, not to- Biden was also to join the The symbolism was striking:
crowds because of the coro- transfer of power. Trump, morrow. Not ever. Not ever.” end of a slimmed-down in- The very moment Trump
navirus pandemic. Instead, awaiting his second impeach- augural parade as he moves disappeared into the door-
Biden gazed out over 200,000 ment trial, was at his Florida The tense atmosphere into the White House. Be- way of Air Force One, Biden
American flags planted on resort by the time the swear- evoked the 1861 inauguration cause of the pandemic, much emerged from Blair House,
the National Mall to symbol- ing-in took place. of Lincoln, who was secretly of this year's parade was to be the traditional guest lodging
ize those who could not at- transported to Washington to a virtual affair featuring per- for presidents-in-waiting,
tend in person. Biden, in his third run for the avoid assassins on the eve of formances from around the and into his motorcade for
presidency, staked his candi- the Civil War, or Roosevelt's nation. the short ride to church.
“The will of the people has dacy less on any distinctive inaugural in 1945, when he
been heard, and the will of political ideology than on gal- opted for a small, secure cer- In the evening, in lieu of the Trump did adhere to one tra-
the people has been heeded. vanizing a broad coalition of emony at the White House in traditional glitzy balls that dition and left a personal note
We’ve learned again that de- voters around the notion that the waning months of World welcome a new president to for Biden in the Oval Of-
mocracy is precious and de- Trump posed an existential War II. Washington, Biden will take fice, according to the White
mocracy is fragile. At this threat to American democ- part in a televised concert House, which did not release
hour, my friends, democracy racy. Biden did not mention But Washington, all but de- that also marks the return of its contents. And Trump, in
has prevailed," Biden said. Trump by name but alluded serted downtown and in its A-list celebrities to the White his farewell remarks, hinted
"This is America’s day. This to the rifts his predecessor federal areas, was quiet. And House orbit after they largely at a political return, saying
is democracy’s day. A day in had helped create. calm also prevailed outside eschewed Trump. Among “we will be back in some
history and hope, of renewal heavily fortified state Capitol those in the lineup: Bruce form.”
and resolve.” “I know the forces that divide buildings across nation after Springsteen, Justin Timber-
Biden never mentioned his us are deep and they are real. the FBI had warned of the lake and Lin-Manuel Mi- Without question, he will
predecessor, who defied tra- But I also know they are not possibility for armed dem- randa. shadow Biden’s first days in
dition and left town ahead of new. Our history has been a onstrations leading up to the office.
the ceremony, but his speech constant struggle between inauguration. This was not an inauguration
was an implicit rebuke of the American ideal that we for the crowds. But Ameri- Trump’s second impeach-
Donald Trump. The new all are created equal and the The day began with a reach cans in the capital city none- ment trial could start as ear-
president denounced “lies harsh, ugly reality of racism, across the political aisle af- theless brought their hopes ly as this week. That could
told for power and for profit” nativism, fear, demonization ter four years of bitter par- to the moment. test the ability of the Senate,
and was blunt about the chal- that have long torn us apart,” tisan battles under Trump. poised to come under Dem-
lenges ahead. Biden said. “This is our his- At Biden's invitation, con- “I feel so hopeful, so thank- ocratic control, to balance
toric moment of crisis and gressional leaders from ful,” said Karen Jennings impeachment proceedings
Central among them: the challenge, and unity is the both parties bowed their Crooms, a D.C. resident with confirmation hearings
surging virus that has claimed path forward and we must heads in prayer in the so- who hoped to catch a glimpse and votes on Biden’s Cabinet
more than 400,000 lives in meet this moment as the cially distanced service just of the presidential motorcade choices.
the United States, as well as United States of America.” a few blocks from the White on Pennsylvania Avenue with
economic strains and a na- House. her husband. “It makes us sad Biden planned a 10-day blitz
tional reckoning over race. Biden came to office with a that this is where we are but of executive orders on mat-
well of empathy and resolve Biden was sworn in by Chief hopeful that democracy will ters that don’t require con-
“We have much to do in born by personal tragedy Justice John Roberts; Harris win out in the end. That’s gressional approval — a mix
this winter of peril, and sig- as well as a depth of experi- by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, what I’m focusing on.” of substantive and symbolic
nificant possibilities. Much ence forged from more than the first Latina member of the steps to unwind the Trump
to repair, much to restore, four decades in Washington. Supreme Court. Vice Presi- Trump was the first president years. Among the planned
much to heal, much to build At age 78, he was the oldest dent Mike Pence, standing in in more than a century to skip steps: rescinding travel re-
and much to gain,” Biden president inaugurated. for Trump, sat nearby as Lady the inauguration of his suc- strictions on people from
said. "Few people in our na- Gaga, holding a golden mi- cessor. After a brief farewell several predominantly Mus-
tion’s history have been more More history was made at his crophone, sang the National celebration at nearby Joint lim countries; rejoining the
challenged, or found a time side, as Kamala Harris be- Anthem accompanied by the Base Andrews, he boarded Paris climate accord; issuing
more challenging or difficult came the first woman to be U.S. Marine Corps band. Air Force One for the final a mask mandate for those
than the time we’re in now.” vice president. The former When Pence, in a last act of time as president. on federal property; and or-
U.S. senator from California the outgoing administration, dering agencies to figure out
Biden was eager to go big is also the first Black person left the Capitol, he walked "I will always fight for you. how to reunite children sepa-
early, with an ambitious first and the first person of South through a door with badly I will be watching. I will be rated from their families after
100 days that includes a push Asian descent elected to the cracked glass from the riot listening and I will tell you crossing the border.
to speed up the distribution vice presidency and the high- two weeks ago. Later, Biden, that the future of this country