Two weeks after the United States Capitol was surrounded by a violent mob in order to prevent its rise, Joe Biden
Joe BidenTrump grants clemency to over 100 people, including Bannon Scalise bringing Donna Brazile as a guest on Biden’s inauguration Sidney Powell gives up on the Georgia kraken process MORE he was sworn in as the 46th president in an inaugural ritual – unlike any previous one – that seemed to reflect all of the country’s own conflicting hopes and tensions.
Looking at the dome of the Capitol on the west lawn, it was all pomp and ceremony, flags and former presidents that paraded to the sound of the Navy Band.
But turning 180 degrees revealed a surprising scenario of vacancy and militarization, where members of the military kept an empty National Mall, but for 200,000 flags whipping in the cold winter wind. They were planted there to represent the crowd that was unable to attend because of the increase in the coronavirus pandemic, which killed more than 400,000 people in the United States alone.
The objective of the day was achieved – a peaceful transfer of power after a deadly attack on the nation’s most brilliant symbol of democracy – but that was only after blocking Washington with fleets of military vehicles; an imposing array of about 2.5 meters topped by coils of barbed wire; and tens of thousands of National Guard soldiers, some of them carrying M4 rifles.
The theme was national reconciliation – “Without unity, there is no peace,” said Biden from the flag-covered dais – but he was speaking to a crowd that included Trump supporters who a few days earlier had led the fight to overturn his electoral victory.
There was Rep. Jim Jordan
James (Jim) Daniel JordanMcCarthy will not support efforts to overthrow Cheney Wyoming The Republican Party shares the ‘protest’ it received over Cheney’s impeachment vote The Memorandum: Historic vote leaves Trump more isolated than ever MORE (R-Ohio), the former Freedom Caucus leader who spoke at a “Stop the Steal” rally after the November election, along with the House’s two top Republican leaders, Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthyHere is how presidents move to the White House in just a few hours on the day of their inauguration. Three more big companies suspend PAC donations after the Pence Capitol riots, other Republican Party officials must skip Trump’s farewell MORE (California) and Steve Scalise
Stephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseScalise bringing Donna Brazile as a guest at the inauguration of Biden Republican Party Legislator: Trump ‘put all our lives at risk’ Scalise labels riot on Capitol ‘domestic terrorism’ MORE (Over there.). And Sens. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzBlinken states plan to maintain US embassy in Jerusalem Head of Intercept’s office: Biden’s leading candidate for the DOJ antitrust division previously represented Google’s lawyers urge the Missouri Supreme Court to investigate the actions of Hawley before the Capitol Riot MORE (R-Texas) and Josh Hawley
Joshua (Josh) David HawleyBiden will send immigration reform bill to Congress after being sworn in to Biden the nix border barrier, ‘Muslim ban’ on first day in office Biden DHS, Intel chooses need to prioritize cybersecurity after SolarWinds hack MORE (R-Mo.) – aspiring 2,024 who formally opposed the election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania – watched Biden from the stands as he raised his right hand and took the oath of office.
Political dissonance was not overlooked by some Biden supporters, who applauded his arrival as they warned of major obstacles as the country seeks to repair the deep party fractures left in the former President Trump
Donald TrumpLil Wayne gets Trump forgiveness in the 11th hour Trump grants clemency to more than 100 people, including Bannon Trump must forgive Bannon: reports MOREvigil of.
“We have people here who voted to make this day never happen,” said the representative. Dan Kildee
Daniel (Dan) Timothy KildeeDemocrats point the finger on whether Capitol rioters helped choose Biden’s Pentagon puts Democrats in trouble The CDC studies the impact of “permanent chemistry” exposure to COVID-19 antibodies MORE (D-Mich.). “We have a little distance to travel in the institution and in the country to overcome this.”
Overall, however, there was a feeling – at least rhetorically – that the country’s capital was ready for a return to normalcy after four chaotic years under Trump. And who’s who of the Washington establishment, those who condemned Trump’s pressure to block Biden’s victory, could be seen everywhere he turned. Trump’s enemy in 2016, Hillary Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton GOP representative Marjorie Taylor Greene referred to the shooting at the Parkland school as a ‘false flag’ event on Facebook., was there, as was its predecessor, Barack Obama
Barack Hussein ObamaHoward University, the University’s marching band to accompany Harris in possession Lloyd Austin is the right nominee for secretary of defense and the right leader for this moment. Trump seeks to box Biden with executive actions MORE. Clinton purposely wore purple, a symbolic color of unity that reflected the theme of Biden’s speech.
John Roberts, the Supreme Court president who was periodically criticized by Trump, was there to administer the oath.
Two of Trump’s loudest Republican critics, Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyMcConnell keeps GOP guessing about Trump’s impeachment Senators vet Mayorkas to take the lead in DHS Romney asks the Senate to approve sanctions against Putin for Navalny poisoning MORE (Utah) and former senator Jeff Flake
Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeCindy McCain on possible Republican Party censorship: “I think I’ll make t-shirts” The Arizona State Republican Party moves to censor Cindy McCain, Jeff Flake The Arizona County Republican Committee discusses censoring Cindy McCain MORE (Ariz.), Were present, as well as a pair of Republican leaders, leader of the Senate minority Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump talked to associates about forming a new political party: McConnell report, Schumer failed to cut power-sharing deal amid obstruction obstruction McConnell keeps the Republican Party assuming Trump’s impeachment MORE (Ky.) And former speaker Paul Ryan
Paul Davis RyanRevising the Power of Forgiveness – Give the President and Congress a Voice Paul Ryan will participate in the COVID-19 relief bill for Biden’s inauguration: A promising first act for immigration reform MORE (Wis.), Both of whom vigorously warned against Trump’s useless tactic just before the January 6 attack on Congress.
“Our institutions were tested this year and our institutions passed the test,” Ryan told reporters. “I am here out of respect for the peaceful transfer of power and for the institutions. Joe Biden is the legitimately elected president of the United States and I am here to honor that process. ”
Many in attendance, mostly Democrats, said Biden’s speech was tailor-made for the moment. The 46th president never spoke Trump’s name, but he denounced party politics that burned all the bridges that came to define Trumpism.
“Night and day,” Rep. Marcia Fudge
Marcia FudgeAs the fair house and COVID-19 cross Pelosi to elect the Iowa Republican while the Democratic candidate disputes the election results Sanders’ former deputy Nina Turner discusses House candidacy MORE (D-Ohio), Biden’s nominee for secretary of agriculture, told The Hill after the ceremony. “He is serious. It wasn’t just words; it’s what’s in your heart. Today is a good day.”
“He criticized Trump, but he didn’t mention it; it has not been opened, ”added the former representative. Luis gutierrez
Luis Vicente Gutierrez The Hill campaign report: The Democratic primaries struggle moves to South Carolina, Nevada. Democrats gather behind leaders as Lipinski takes liberal fire Dem leader says the party may include opponents of abortion MORE (D-Ill.), That was present. “We are going in the right direction.”
However, Biden was not asking for bipartisan cooperation on individual policy proposals. His call was much broader to lower the temperature in favor of preserving the country’s century-old experience in democracy – a stark contrast to Trump’s speech four years ago, in which he warned of “American carnage” brought about by liberal policies.
“Politics does not have to be wildfire, destroying everything in its path. Each disagreement need not be a cause for total war, ”said Biden. “And we must reject the culture in which the facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured. “
It alluded to the crowd’s violent attack on the Capitol just two weeks ago.
Before the Capitol was ransacked, Trump repeated his false claims that the election had been stolen from him by a crowd he encouraged to march in the same spot where Biden, two weeks later, promised to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of America.
The scars from the January 6 attack, both physical and emotional, were still visible – in the building and on the faces of lawmakers and officials who survived the terrible attack that left five people dead, including a police officer. Behind Biden, some Capitol windows remained broken and new paint was applied to the beige steps that surround the inaugural platform.
“It is difficult to look at today outside the context of the past few weeks,” said Kildee. “It is therapeutic in many ways.”
Whether Biden can build the bridges he expects – both in Congress and in the country – remains an open question. Senate leaders have not yet reached a power-sharing agreement to govern the next two years, given the 50-50 division between parties. And Republican lawmakers are already warning that they are ready to fight hard against Biden’s political agenda if, in his opinion, it deviates too far to the left.
“As long as we are focused on getting people back to work and getting the vaccine out quickly – if he comes with it – I think we can all get on and move on,” said the representative. Richard Hudson
Richard Lane HudsonREAD: Republicans who voted to challenge election results The Republican Party voted to keep leaders in place This week: The clock is ticking on coronavirus, government funding deals MORE (RN.C.). “If he comes with a lot of far-left policies, we will not be able to support him and it will be unfortunate.”
Biden’s No. 1 legislative priority will be a $ 1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that provides for a new round of stimulus checks, a federal minimum wage of $ 15 billion and more for cities and states.
Signs of the pandemic were everywhere on Wednesday: all participants, including Biden and Vice President Harris, wore masks when they did not speak. The team distributed hand sanitizer. And the guests sat socially apart from each other.
Just a day earlier, the country registered its 400,000th COVID-19 victim.
“It has been four years in the dark and we have a lot of work ahead of us,” said the representative. Katherine Clark
Katherine Marlea ClarkSanders defends pressure for Trump impeachment: insurrection will not be tolerated Cuomo: ‘I ask President Trump to step down’ Ben Carson dismisses the 25th Amendment speech: ‘As a nation, we need to heal’ MORE (Mass.), The fourth Democrat in the Chamber. “But today is an optimistic and promising start.”