Joe Biden took oath as the 46th president of the United States at the Capitol today. His deputy, Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, also took oath as the new Vice President of the United States, becoming the first Black person, first woman, and first Asian American to serve at the position.
In his first remarks, Biden said, “Here we stand days after a riotous mob thought they could silence the will of the people. It will not happen, not today, not tomorrow, not ever — not ever.” Biden also pledged that he would be honest with the country as it continues to confront difficulties, saying that leaders have an obligation to “defend the truth and defeat the lies”. “Hear me out as we move forward,” Biden said.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump walked out of the White House for one last on Wednesday and headed to Florida, giving a miss to the inauguration event of Joe Biden where he will take oath as the 46th president of the United States. In his final remarks before leaving the White House, Trump said, “We love the American people and again it has been something very special. And I just want to say goodbye, but hopefully it’s not a long term goodbye. We’ll see each other again.”
Earlier, in his farewell address to the nation Tuesday, Donald Trump extended his wishes to the Biden administration. “This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous,” Trump said. “I did not seek the easiest course… By far, it was actually the most difficult. I did not seek the path that would get the least criticism. I took on the tough battles, the hardest fights, the most difficult choices, because that’s what you elected me to do. Your needs were my first and last unyielding focus,” he added.❐
