Joe Biden’s Inauguration

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SOPHIA HUA (Editor in Chief)

On Jan. 20, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. According to BBC, security measures were tightened due to concerns after the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan 6. 

The Marine Band played music as attendees including former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and former Vice President Mike Pence entered and took their seats. Former President Donald Trump did not attend the inauguration. As reported by the New York Times, he is only the fourth president in American history who has refused to attend his successor’s inauguration.  

Senator Amy Klobuchar made the opening speech before introducing the chair of the inaugural committee, Senator Roy Blunt. Both spoke of the importance of democracy and their optimism for a better future through a new presidency. Their speeches were followed by an address from Reverend Leo O’Donovan, the national anthem sung by Lady Gaga and the Pledge of Allegiance led by fire captain Andrea Hall. 

Then, Kamala Harris was sworn in, making history as the first Black and Asian-American woman to be Vice President. 

“After President Obama, it was only a matter of time before we have the racial and gender representation that we have now,” sophomore Han Li said. “Although we still have a long way to go, it bodes well as a precedent into the future.”

After Jennifer Lopez sang “This Land is Your Land,” Joe Biden was sworn in as president. In his inaugural speech, he placed a strong emphasis on the importance of unity and democracy in enabling the United States to overcome the numerous challenges it faces. 

“Biden’s inauguration is definitely a major cornerstone for American history,” junior Zulian He He said. “I am looking forward to his domestic agendas and policies regarding how he will respond to issues to the future of American democracy.”

Biden’s inaugural speech was followed by “Amazing Grace” sung by Garth Brooks, a poem by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gormon and an address from Reverend Silvester Beaman. 

Shortly after the ceremony, President Biden signed 17 executive orders which aimed to reverse Trump-era policies. According to the New York Times, they included mandatory mask and social distancing requirements on federal property, an end to the travel ban on countries with mostly Muslim or African populations, rejoining the international Paris climate agreement and stopping the construction of the southern border wall.