Biden takes office
Joe Biden called for America to end its ‘‘uncivil war’’ between political factions yesterday as he attempted to draw a line under the divisions of Donald Trump’s presidency.
In his inaugural address beside the Capitol after being sworn in as the 46th US president on his family Bible, Biden talked of the need for ‘‘tolerance’’, ‘‘humility’’ and a better understanding of each other.
The Democrat urged those who did not vote for him to hear him out, saying that ‘‘politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path’’.
While the message of unity was the dominant theme of the speech, Biden also spelled out the daunting challenges he hopes to overcome.
He talked of the need to counter ‘‘political extremism, white supremacy [and] domestic terrorism’’ – forces seen in the mob which two weeks ago stormed the building he stood beside.
Biden also held a moment of silence for America’s more than 400,000 victims of Covid-19, promised to rebuild the economy and pledged to take on the scourge of racial injustice.
‘‘This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day,’’ Biden said at the start of his speech, framing his ascent to power as proof that the country’s democratic institutions still stand strong.
He added later: ‘‘We have learnt again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.’’
Those comments were a reference to the immense pressure on the transfer of power created in large part by Trump’s refusal to admit defeat.
The outgoing president was absent yesterday, flying straight to Florida and becoming the first president to snub his successor’s inauguration in such a manner since Andrew Johnson in 1869.
The ceremony was a moment of personal triumph for Biden, coming 48 years after he became a senator and 34 years after he embarked on the first of three White House bids.
It was also historic on a number of fronts.
At 78, Biden is the oldest president to take office. Kamala Harris, who was sworn in moments before Biden, became the first woman, first AfricanAmerican and first AsianAmerican to become vicepresident.
Biden put unity at the heart of his first presidential address as he spoke overlooking the
National Mall, empty of people due to security concerns.
‘‘I understand that many Americans view the future with some fear and trepidation,’’ he said. ‘‘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. If we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes just for a moment.’’
In another passage echoing the central theme, Biden said: ‘‘History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity.
‘‘We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbours. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature.
‘‘For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury. No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos.
‘‘This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. And, we must meet this moment as the United States of America.’’
Biden’s call for unity was reflected in the day’s ceremonies. Despite Trump’s absence, Mike
Pence, the outgoing vicepresident, attended the inauguration. At one point he was seen chatting and laughing with Harris, doing what Trump had declined to by being seen before the cameras with his successor. Also in attendance were former Republican president George W Bush and former Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
All three men and their wives joined Biden and Harris to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, another display of bipartisanship.