Joe Biden sworn in as 46th U.S. president
Photo | State House News Service
President Joe Biden
Joseph Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States at 11 minutes to noon on Wednesday, ending a tumultuous and frequently unpredictable four years under outgoing President Donald Trump.
“This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day, a day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge,” Biden said in an inaugural address in which he implored the American public to unite in the face of a multitude of social ills, including misinformation, the coronavirus pandemic, nativism and white supremacy.
“America has to be better than this,” Biden said.
Although it waits to be seen what a Biden Administration will mean for commerce or the state of Massachusetts, the new president has promised to begin dismantling Trump-era policies and initiatives as soon as Wednesday afternoon, including actions planned for immigration reform, national security, Civil Rights policy, and a revamped coronavirus pandemic response. He has promised to re-join the Paris Climate Agreement, as well re-engage with the World Health Organization.
On Thursday, he unveiled a $1.9-trillion coronavirus relief plan which, if passed, is slated to include some $350 billion in state and local aid, as well as additional stimulus checks.
Biden is bringing with him several Massachusetts dignitaries, including former Secretary of State John Kerry and Boston’s Mayor Marty Walsh, who have been named to the National Security Council and nominated as secretary of labor, respectively.
“It’s a new day in America,” Biden tweeted Wednesday morning, before he was sworn in.
Indeed, Biden’s inauguration marked an unprecedented historical change in Washington, being joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman -- and, particularly, woman of color -- to ever hold the office. Harris was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to ever serve on the nation’s highest court.
The ceremony included performances by Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, who sang The Star-Spangled Banner and This Land is Your Land, respectively.
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