Joe Biden has been sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America. The new President after taking his oath of office declared that, “this is America’s day and democracy’s day”
Mr Biden was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, becoming the oldest holder of the office. He used a five-inch-thick family bible which dates back to 1893 which is held by his wife, Jill.
In his speech, President Biden intimates that, “A new America has risen to the challenge today. We celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy.
“The people, the will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded.
“We’ve learnt again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. At this hour, our friends, democracy has prevailed.”
The President added that America is a “great nation” of “good people”, but “we still have far to go” and there is “much to do” in what he says is a “winter of peril.”
He referenced the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the fight for racial justice in America saying he wants to “restore the soul and secure the future of America.”
He therefore called for “unity” to solve the country’s problems.
“My whole soul is in this, bringing America together. I ask every American to join me in this cause.
“We can make America once again the leading force for good in the world.”
The President however acknowledged that speaking of unity can seem “foolish” to some, but said America’s history has been a “constant struggle” between the ideals of its democracy and its demons.
“Battle is perennial and victory is never assured,” he tells the audience.
Citing events like the Civil War and 9/11, Mr Biden adds that “our better angels have always prevailed.”
President Biden also called for more respect in the US admonishing that politics “doesn’t have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path”.
He called for an end to “facts themselves [being] manipulated and manufactured”.
Referencing the historic election of Kamala Harris as vice president, Joe Biden says “don’t tell me things can’t change”.
The President then called on those who voted against him, to “Hear me out as we move forward. If you still disagree, so be it. That’s democracy.”
He promised to be a president for “all Americans” fighting just has hard for those who didn’t vote for him as those who did.
In a message to the rest of the world, President Biden’s said “America has been tested and we’ve come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances.”
President Biden urged everyone to help write “the next great chapter in the American story”.
“It’s time for boldness as there’s so much to do…I will always level with you.
“I will defend the Constitution. I will defend our democracy. I will defend America.”
America’s new President then asks the audience to pause for a moment of prayer to remember the victims of COVID-19.
Earlier, Kamala Harris made history as she was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, becoming America’s first female, first black and first South Asian American vice president.
She was sworn in on two Bibles – one that belonged to a close family friend called Regina Shelton and another that belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court justice.
