Biden Celebrates ‘Triumph’ Of Democracy In Inaugural Address

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President Biden prepares to deliver his inaugural address Wednesday on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.





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Biden did not directly address Trump, who earlier in the day left the White House for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Former Vice President Mike Pence attended the inaugural ceremony.

Biden comes into office inheriting a public health crisis that has already claimed more than 400,000 American lives and a nation grappling with a political and racial reckoning decades in the making.

His first day in office will reflect the urgency with which he hopes to address these issues. He plans to sign 17 executive orders on issues ranging from the COVID-19 crisis and the economy, to racial justice and climate change.

«With unity we can do great things, important things, Biden said.

«Without unity, there is no peace. Only bitterness and fury. No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.



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The president’s remarks follow the theme of his candidacy, which called on Americans to abandon hyper-partisanship in favor of unifying against the nation’s woes.

«We’ll press forward with speed and urgency for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain, he said.

«Now, on this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the Capitol’s very foundation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible to carry out the peaceful transfer of power, as we have for more than two centuries, Biden said, referring to the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.

«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.