Joe Biden sworn in as 46th President
President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden wave to the crowd following the inauguration. Photo courtesy of Associated Press
Joe Biden is officially the 46th President of the United States.
Following increasing speculation of violence and insurrection brewing toward Inauguration Day, the swearing-in ceremony proceeded peacefully and without conflict.
The FBI had warned of violence at all 50 state capitals surrounding Inauguration Day. Minnesota saw “small weekend protests” in St. Paul with no arrests, according to KARE11.
Biden’s highly anticipated inaugural address was largely centered on unity, working together and the servitude of all Americans.
“We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal,” Biden said.
Former President Donald Trump was not in attendance, choosing instead to depart for southern Florida.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attended. Former President Jimmy Carter was not in attendance, but he and his wife Rosalynn “sent their best wishes,” according to a statement from the Carter Center.
Skipping inauguration breaks a century-and-a-half-long tradition of inaugural attendance by a sitting president. Time Magazine reported that while this is uncommon, it’s not a first.
Most recently, President Andrew Johnson elected not to attend President Ulysses Grant’s inauguration after Democrats refused to nominate Johnson as their candidate.
Kamala Harris took the Oath of Office, Jan. 20, 2021. Photo courtesy of Alex Wong via Getty Images
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) gave a stirring speech before President Biden’s inauguration.
“This is the day our democracy picks itself up, brushes off the dust and does what America always does, goes forward as a nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” Klobuchar said.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared her thoughts on the new vice president in an interview with CNN.
“I am convinced she’s going to be a terrific partner to Joe Biden and, you know, really put all of her experience and the expertise to work on behalf of the American people,” Hillary Clinton said.
Hillary Clinton also spoke on how she felt about the way the inauguration proceeded.
“I was so relieved and grateful that we were able to celebrate the transfer of power in a peaceful way, which has been a hallmark of our country,” Hillary Clinton said.
Former Vice President Mike Pence was in attendance among other notable Republicans, including Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rep. Pete Satuber (R-Minn.) and Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.).
Cruz recently spearheaded a campaign with the backing of multiple Republican politicians in an effort to overturn the election. Noem had also made comments on Twitter implying some states are not held to proper standards regarding election integrity.
The ceremony included patriotic performances from various pop-culture icons including Jennifer Lopez, Garth Brooks, Lady Gaga, Amanda Gorman and more.
Gorman, the nation’s first youth poet laureate, made history by becoming the youngest poet ever to perform at a presidential inauguration. She read aloud her original poem “The Hill We Climb,” calling for unity.
Biden has already expressed plans to issue a bevy of executive orders on day one in a move to immediately unravel Trump’s legacy.
The executive actions will include changes to the United States response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other actions include changes to undo Trump’s actions against the environment, immgration, the U.S. Census, and other regulatory changes, according to CBS News.
On behalf of Biden, the United States will also be rejoining the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.
More of Biden’s plans for the early stages of his presidency will be put forth in the coming days.