WASHINGTON (AP) – Joe Biden vowed to be the 46th president of the United States, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” and calling for American resistance and unity to deal with the historical confluence of the deeply divided nation’s crisis.
Denouncing a national “uncivil war,” Biden was sworn in Wednesday at a U.S. Capitol that had been stormed by an insurrectionary siege just two weeks earlier. Then, taking his place in the oval office of the White House, he plunged into a pile of executive actions that began to undo the heart of his polarizing predecessor. the agenda on issues from the deadly pandemic to climate change.
At the Capitol, with the American tradition of peaceful transfers of power that never seems more fragile, the ceremony took place within a circle of security forces reminiscent of a war zone and devoid of crowds due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, Biden contemplated a cold Washington morning splashed with snowdrops to see more than 200,000 American flags planted at the National Mall to symbolize those who could not attend in person.
“The will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded. We have learned again that democracy is beautiful and that democracy is fragile. At this time, my friends, democracy has prevailed, “Biden said in his speech. “It simply came to our notice then. This is the day of democracy. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolution ”.
The story was made by her side as Kamala Harris became the first woman to be vice president. The former California U.S. senator is also the first black person and the first person of South Asian descent to be elected to the vice presidency and the highest-ranking woman to serve in the U.S. government.
Biden never mentioned his predecessor, who defied tradition and left the city before the ceremony, but his speech was an implicit reprimand from Donald Trump. The new president denounced “the lies that are told to gain power and reap benefits” and was blunt about the challenges we faced.
The main one is: the virus that has grown and caused more than 400,000 lives in the United States, as well as economic tensions and a national calculation about race.
“We have a lot to do in this winter of danger and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain, “said Biden.” Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a more difficult or difficult time than the moment we are now “.
Biden was eager to go very early, with ambitious first 100 days, including a push to speed up the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to anxious Americans and approve a $ 1.9 trillion economic relief package. dollars. It included a plethora of executive orders on issues that do not require Congressional approval: a mix of substantive and symbolic steps to disconnect the Trump years. His actions included re-entry into the Paris climate agreements and a mandate to wear masks to federal properties.
“There’s no time to start like today,” a masked Biden said. in the Oval Office. Then he swore to hundreds of helpers – practically – telling them: “You are my possibilities.”
The absence of Biden’s predecessor at the opening ceremony highlighted the national rupture to heal.
But a bipartisan trio of former presidents – Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama – were there to witness the transfer of power. Trump, awaiting his second impeachment trial, was at his Florida resort when the oath took place.
Biden, in his third presidential candidacy, bet less on his distinctive political ideology than on encouraging a broad coalition of voters around the idea that Trump posed an existential threat to American democracy. Four years after Trump’s “American Carnage” speech painted a dark portrait of national decay, Biden warned that the fabric of the nation’s democracy was tearing apart, but it could be repaired.
“I know that the forces that divide us are deep and real. But I also know that they are not new. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we all believe to be equal and the harsh and ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear and demonization have torn at us for a long time, ”Biden said. “This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the way forward and we must fulfill this moment as the United States of America.”
Swearing the oath with his hand on a five-inch-thick Bible that has been 128 years his family, Biden came to office with a well of empathy and resolution born of personal tragedy, as well as a depth of forged experience of more than four decades in Washington. At 78, he is the oldest president to be sworn in.
Both he and Harris and their spouses walked the last short part of the route to the White House after a brief parade. Biden then entered the Oval Office, a room he knew well as vice president, for the first time as commander-in-chief.
At the Capitol before, Biden, like all attendees, wore a face mask except when speaking. Tens of thousands of National Guard soldiers were on the streets to provide security precisely two weeks after a violent crowd of Trump supporters, incited by the Republican president, stormed the building in an attempt to avoid certification of Biden’s victory. .
“Here we are, a few days after a revolting mob thought they could use violence to silence people’s will,” Biden said. “Stop the work of our democracy. To expel us from this sacred ground. It didn’t happen. It will never happen. Not today, not tomorrow. May. Mai. “
The tense atmosphere evoked the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, who was secretly transported to Washington in 1861 to prevent assassins on the eve of the Civil War, or the inauguration of Franklin Roosevelt in 1945, when he opted for a small safe ceremony. in the White House in the waning months of World War II.
But Washington, almost deserted from downtown and its federal areas, was quiet. And calm also prevailed outside heavily fortified state Capitol buildings across the country after the FBI warned of the possibility of armed demonstrations leading to the inauguration.
The day began with a scope through the political corridor after four years of bitter partisan battles under Trump. At Biden’s invitation, congressional leaders on both sides bowed their heads in prayer at the socially distanced service a few blocks from the White House.
Biden was invested by Chief Justice John Roberts; Harris by Judge Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latin member of the Supreme Court. Vice President Mike Pence, representing Trump, sat nearby while Lady Gaga, wearing a gold microphone, sang the national anthem accompanied by the U.S. Marine Corps band.
When Pence, in a last act of outgoing administration, left the Capitol, he walked through a door with very cracked glass from the riot two weeks ago. Later, Biden, Harris and their spouses joined the ex-presidents to lay a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier at the Arlington National Ceremony.
In the afternoon, a desolate White House in the waning days of Trump came back to life, with Biden staff installed and new COVID-19 security measures, such as plastic shields on desks.
In the evening, instead of the traditional balls welcoming a new president in Washington, Biden and Harris appeared separately at the Lincoln Memorial to participate in a televised concert that also marked the return of the A-list celebrities. in the orbit of the White House after they largely shunned Trump. Among the members of the formation: Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The bidens ended the night watching fireworks from a White House balcony.
This was not an inauguration for the crowds. But the Americans in the capital brought their hopes to the moment.
“I feel so hopeful, so grateful,” said Karen Jennings Crooms, a DC resident who was hoping to spot the presidential caravan on Pennsylvania Avenue with her husband. “It’s sad that it’s where we are, but we hope democracy wins in the end. That’s what I’m focusing on.”
Trump was the first president in more than a century to bypass the inauguration of his successor. After a brief farewell celebration at nearby Andrews base station, he boarded Air Force One for the last time as president.
“I will always fight for you. I’ll be watching. I will be listening and telling you that the future of this country has never been better, ”Trump said. He wished the incoming administration well, but never mentioned Biden’s name.
Trump followed a tradition and left a personal note for Biden in the Oval Office. Biden would only tell reporters that it was “a very generous letter.”
Trump, in his farewell video comment, hinted at a political comeback, saying “we will come back somehow.” It will no doubt overshadow Biden’s early days in office.
Trump’s second impeachment trial could begin as early as this week. This will test the capacity of the Senate, which is now under democratic control, to balance the prosecution processes with the confirmation hearings and votes on Biden’s Cabinet options.
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Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Darlene Superville in Washington and Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
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