The swearing-in ceremony was attended by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton.
Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America on Wednesday at the Capitol which was guarded by 25,000 National Guards in an unprecedented move to protect the place amidst the threat of more violent protests by Trump supporters. The 78-year-old Democratic leader, who is the oldest president in American history, took the oath of office by placing his left hand on his 127-year-old family Bible held by his wife Jill Biden. The oath was administered by Chief Justice John Roberts.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. Biden said in the inaugural address, "At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. Today we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause. The cause of democracy."
Biden has taken office during the time of crisis when the pandemic has killed more than 400,000 Americans and the economy has suffered great damage. "We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts, if we show a little tolerance and humility and we're willing to stand in the other person's shoes," Biden said.
Trump supporters had breached the Capitol to stop the counting of electoral votes that later declared Biden's victory. "Together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division, of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healings and goodness," he said. Biden, after coming into power, revoked several controversial policies that were implemented by the Trump administration. He signed 15 executive orders on the very first day. He rejoined Paris Climate Agreement, terminated national emergency to build the U.S-Mexico wall and ended the travel ban predominantly on Muslim countries.
Biden said that the United States faces "a rise of political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront, and we will defeat." "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 and demonization have long torn us apart." He has promised to take America forward and bridge the gap between communities and all individuals so that all can live in harmony.
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