Biden Promises To Be President For All
The 46th President of the United States of America, Joe Biden Wednesday took the oath of office with a pledge to work for all Americans, including those who did not support his campaign.
The President took his oath of office using the 127 years old family Bible with his wife, Jill, at his side. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Justice John Roberts swore him in.
“My whole soul is in this. We have much to repair, much to restore, and much to heal. Unity wins out over division throughout U.S. history,” he said, adding that the will of the people had been heard.
He described the historic moment as “America’s day’.
The new President stressed the need for unity and vowed to defeat what he described as internal terrorism. In a veiled reference to the crisis that trailed his electoral victory, he called for peace and advised that politics must not be violent.
Biden also observed some seconds of prayers for the repose of the soul of over 400, 000 Americans who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and for their families.
His said: “Today, we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy. The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We have learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.
“I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did. For all those who supported our campaign, I’m humbled by the faith you placed in us. To all those who did not support us, let me say this. Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart! If you still disagree, so be it. That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably within the guardrails of our republic is perhaps this nation’s greatest strength. Yet hear me clearly. Disagreement must not lead to disunity. And I pledge this to you. I will be a president for all Americans. All Americans. And I promise you, I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.”
Congratulatory messages came in from all around the world. Former president, Barack Obama tweeted a message of support “Congratulations to my friend, President Joe Biden! This is your time.”
Former presidents Clinton and Bush were also in attendance.
Before his swearing-in, Lady Gaga performed the National Anthem. Jennifer Lopez performed “America the Beautiful’ while Garth Brooks performed ‘Amazing Grace’. African American, Amanda Gorman, recited a poem.
Joe Biden and his wife Jill attended Mass at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle in Washington DC.
Congressional leaders, Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were also among those who attended the service.
Biden is the second Roman Catholic president in U.S. history, following fellow Democrat John F. Kennedy.
The cathedral was the venue for Kennedy’s funeral Mass after his assassination in November 1963.
Washigton DC and states across the country were under strict and heightened security over fears of possible new threats.
