MR. PRESIDENTIAL

Biden pledges to be President for all, says ‘uncivil war’ must end even as Trump skips inauguration

WASHINGTON: Joseph Robinette Biden Jr took office Wednesday as the 46th US President, calling for an “end (to) this uncivil war” in a rousing speech that was aimed at uniting a country left bitterly divided by his predecessor Donald Trump, and help it overcome challenges posed by a raging pandemic, distrust of each other, and “a culture in which facts themselves are manipulated, and even manufactured”.

On a cold and blustery morning at the US Capitol, Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice President before Biden, marking a series of firsts that will secure her a unique place in American history as the first woman, African-American and American of Indian, South Asian and Asian descent ever elected to the high office that will put her just a heartbeat away from the presidency. She was administered the oath by Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court justice.

“Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause; the cause of democracy, the people, the will of the people, has been heard,” Biden said after being sworn into office by US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. “On this hallowed ground just a few days ago, violence sought to shake the Capitol’s very foundation. We come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power. As we have for more than two centuries.”

The US President said: “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, and conservative versus liberal. We can do this. If we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance... And if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes, as my mom would say just for a moment; stand in their shoes.”

In a message to the world, President Biden said: “America has been tested, and we’ve come out stronger for it.” He promised to “repair our alliances” and engage with the world once again, not to face “yesterday’s challenges, but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges”.

“This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day,” Biden said as he began his inaugural address. “A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge.” “We have much to do in this winter of peril, and significant possibilities: much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain.”

Joe Biden is sworn in as President as First Lady Jill Biden holds the Bible during the inauguration ceremony at US Capitol.