After his swearing-in, he addressed the country for the first time as president and declared to the nation that “democracy has prevailed”
This comes after a chaotic transition where his predecessor Donald Trump denied he won the election and refused to congratulate him, ultimately resulting in violence as Trump supporters invaded the Capitol building two weeks before inauguration day.
“The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded,” Biden said on the West Front of the Capitol.
He added: “We’ve learned again that democracy’s precious, democracy’s fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”
Biden also paid tribute to the peaceful transfer of power and the resilience of American democracy, saying: “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day – a day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve, for crucible for the ages America has tested anew and America has risen to the challenge. Today we celebrate not a candidate, but a cause, the cause of democracy.”
The 78-year-old thanked his predecessors for being at his swearing-in.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush attended though Donald Trump and his family did not. Donald Trump’s Vice President, Mike Pence and his wife Karen were at Biden’s inauguration too.
Biden said: “I thank my predecessors of both parties for their presence here today. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
He added that he had spoken to former President Jimmy Carter on the phone the night before. Carter did not attend out of safety reasons because of the COVID pandemic.
Biden also acknowledged the attack that took place on the Capitol two weeks ago, when a pro-Trump mob stormed the building, leading to the death of 5 people.
“Now on this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the capital’s very foundation. We come together under one nation, under god, indivisible, to transfer the peaceful power as we have for two centuries,” he said.
