Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday at a historic inaugural ceremony, pledging to unite the country and calling on Americans to end the “uncivil war” that has fractured the deeply polarised nation. Kamala Harris was also sworn in as America’s first woman Vice President. “We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance and humility, and if we are willing to stand in the other person’s shoes,” he said. Biden also pledged to repair America’s global alliances, which suffered during his predecessor Trump’s four-year regime. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve, he said.
Biden’s entry into the White House draws the curtain on arguably the most controversial administrations in modern times, and is expected to herald a new era for a bleeding United States of America. Kamala Harris too took oath as the Vice President of the United States, becoming the first woman, woman of colour, African-American and woman of South Asian descent to hold the office. Kamala Harris made history when she was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the US. She is the first woman to hold the country’s second-highest office. In her inaugural address, Harris referred to “American aspiration” and called on people to “do what is good, to unite, to believe in ourselves, believe in our country, believe in what we can do together.”
The inauguration, which was held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, saw no large gatherings as the Presidential Inaugural Committee and local law enforcement officials had asked the public not to travel to Washington DC for the event. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place for the historic inauguration following the January 6 riot at the Capitol by supporters of outgoing President Trump. The event was held under the unprecedented security umbrella of over 25,000 National Guards, who have transformed the capital into a garrison city, mainly because of the threat of more violent protests by the supporters of Trump. Trump on Tuesday extended “best wishes” to the new administration in a farewell video address.
