Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been inaugurated as the president and the vice president of the United States.
The duo took an oath of office at the East Front Steps of the Capitol, the opposite side of the Capitol Hill that was rocked by chaos when pro Trump protesters hit the streets. They take over from Donald Trump and Mike Pence who have ruled for four years ending their reign with a head-cracking challenge presented by the global pandemic.
Joseph Robinette Biden clutched hands with his wife Jill Biden and took an oath office putting to rest the long wait riddled with political bickering.
Kamala Harris stepped up in her blue dress to take her oath. She lifted her right hand as she smiled in fashion in the presence of the country’s chief justice John Roberts. She finished and hugged for her husband Doug Emhoff, perhaps reconciling with the fact that she is the first female vice president of the land.
Healing the wounds
The new president described event as a platform to ‘celebrate the course of democracy after the will of the people prevailed.’
He would then extend an olive branch to his fierce Republican rival in the last election Donald Trump, even as he headed the memory lane to reminisce the country’s path to democracy.
He said: ‘‘I thank my predecessor from the Republican Party from the bottom of my heart. American story depends not on some of us but all of us. We have come so far and we still have far to go.’’
Biden renewed his commitment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, terror and gun violence
Amidst recent violent protests clouded with claims of favouritism in the way police officers treat rioters, Biden sounded a warning for the people to show respect. He emphasised his intention to unite the countries and heal the cracks left behind by a divisive poll.
‘‘We must reject the culture of violence. If we disagree so be it. That’s America. That’s democracy. I will be president of all Americans,’’ he said.
Attendance
The event featured artistic performance from personalities who prepared the ground for the historic ceremony. Jesuit Father Leo O’Donovan opened with the invocation before Lady Gaga hit the podium with an iconic dress as she graced the event with the National Anthem. Other notable performances came from Jenipher Lopez and a poetic piece by Amanda Gorman that pulled the curtain to close the event.
It was an event like no other. For a country that has seen the worst of COVID-19 pandemic, leading the chart of deaths, and cases; Biden’s inauguration was destined to be a test of fate.
Biden supporters joined the dignitaries among them the former heads of states to witness the salient day on the calendar of the United States. Masked and wrapped in their warm clothes, Americans cheered with whistles and claps as the event unfolded.
Some of the attendees included Bernie Sanders, former presidents Jimy Carter, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, for vice president Mike Pence among many others.
Earlier on, Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump left in the White House in the company of First Lady Melania and boarded and helicopter which flew them to the Joint Air Force Base Andrews for an exit party.
Trump appeared to renege on his hard stance that the election was rigged and instead seized the moment to wish the leadership success albeit with a warning that he would remain active with oversight role.
‘‘I will always fight for you. I will be watching, I will be listening and I will tell you that the future of this country has never been better. I wish the new administration great luck and great success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular,’’ he remarked.