Biden’s Administration Begins
February 1, 2021 2021-08-05 21:44Biden’s Administration Begins
Biden and Harris Inaugurated on Capitol Hill
On January 20th, 2021, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States. History was made when Harris became the first female, first black, and first South Asian vice president.
Court Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Biden, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who also swore in Biden in 2013 as Vice President, swore Harris as vice president. Biden made his first speech as President shortly after, and while it was lengthy, it held an important message.
“To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America, requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy, unity,” President Biden said.
The whole Inauguration day had a theme of “America United” and Biden brought that into his speech. He spoke of unity and respect for others and our country. Biden called for the “end of this uncivil war that pits red against blue.” He vowed to be a “President for all Americans.”
Commentators and reporters spoke of how the speech was one for the books. On Fox News, Chris Wallace said, “I thought it was a great speech … I thought this was the best inaugural address I have ever heard.” Biden’s speech lasted a total of 21 minutes and left people in awe and approval.
Amanda Gorman, a young, 22-year-old poet, recited her original poem, The Hill We Climb, in front of the world. In her poem, Gorman talked about strength, unity, respect, justice, and healing. The message behind the poem was so strong that it brought people to tears.
While the attendance was undoubtedly a star-studded list, it was nowhere near the number of people it could have been due to Covid. Only one thousand tickets were sold this year, and every other year they sold much more. In a regular year, the number of tickets sold is much larger, but this year it has reduced to one thousand.
Attendees had to wear masks and social distance. Though many significant people came, the absence of one spoke more volumes than if they did show. Former President Donald Trump did not go to Biden’s inauguration. He became the first President in 150 years to not go to their successor’s inauguration.
Though this day brought many people joy and a sense of hope to a new beginning, it did not fill everyone with happiness. Riots broke out later that same night. One of the main spots where riots happened was in Portland, Oregon, where rioters were seen with a poster saying, “We don’t care who is the President. We want revenge.” Rioters brought violence to the streets and vandalized multiple federal buildings until Federal police deployed tear gas to break up the group of around 200 people. Denver, Seattle, Columbus, and Ohio also had people rioting and marching.
January 20th will go down in history for multiple reasons: Biden and Harris getting sworn in, the absence of Trump, the beautiful poem, the call for unity, and the riots defying just that. Biden has kept his promise and started to undo orders approved by Trump and signed some of his new order in an attempt to start his presidency off by following the foundation of promises that his campaign was built on.
