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'Congratulations, Mr President': Joe Biden sworn in as 46th POTUS

'Democracy has prevailed' says Biden, hailing peaceful transfer of power

Biden Inauguration Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 | Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP

Joseph R. Biden Jr was on Wednesday sworn in as the 46th President of the United States by Chief Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. Biden, 78, becomes the oldest president in US history.

"Congratulations, Mr President," Justice Roberts said after Biden took the oath of office. Biden took the oath by placing his left hand on his 127-year-old family Bible, which was held by his wife, Jill Biden. He used the same Bible during his swearing in as vice president and seven times as senator from Delaware.

The ceremony was attended by former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton were also present.

The inauguration was held under the unprecedented security umbrella of more than 25,000 National Guards, who have transformed the capital into a garrison city, mainly because of the threat of more violent protests by the supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump, who became the first president to skip his successor's inauguration since Andrew Johnson in 1869.

As one of the most experienced politicians in Washington, Biden has served two terms as vice president under Barack Obama and has been a staple of US politics since 1970.

In his first address as President, Biden said today was "America's day."

"This is democracy's day. 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 learned again that democracy is precious, democracy is fragile, and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed," Biden said.

Referring to the storming of the Capitol on January 6, Biden said, "So now, on this hallowed grounds where just a few days ago, violence sought to shake the foundations of this very nation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for two centuries."

In his address, Biden called for unity, asking for a deeply polarised America to "see each other, not as adversaries" but as allies. 

Addressing those who did not vote for him, Biden asked that they "hear him out", adding that if they still did not agree with him, "So be it". Biden said he would fight just as hard for those who did not support him as for those who did.

Biden enters the White House with the top challenge to lift the country from the devastation of a raging pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans and thrown millions into economic distress. Revival of the economy, which has been badly bruised by the pandemic, is another challenge that he faces.

With inputs from PTI

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