From carnage to courage, Joe Biden’s inauguration ushers in a new era for America

It’s official: the United States of America has its 46th president.

Exactly two weeks after insurrection befell the Washington Capitol, a message of hope was transmitted across the world. The inauguration looked markedly different this year, with 25,000 National Guard troops present in lieu of cheering supporters, and amidst a global pandemic. Despite its unusual appearance, the celebration reinstated a tone that has been missing from American leadership for the past four years.

Joe Biden’s inaugural address evoked a literal meaning of the ‘United’ States of America. Calling for a divided nation to put aside differences to celebrate a shared love for country, Biden urged Americans to come together to face present challenges: “This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge. And unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you we will not fail.”

Biden’s speech turned the spotlight to ideas and individuals who were neglected by the previous administration. From recognizing the need for racial justice, to acknowledging the planet’s warming crisis, the President spoke with poise and conviction.

Equally resonant was a poem delivered by Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old African-American activist. The 2017 National Youth Poet Laureate delivered an unforgettable address, rebuking the failed attack on democracy that occurred weeks earlier, and reminding the world of the values that make America great:

 Now we assert,

How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was,

but move to what shall be. 

A country that is bruised but whole, 

benevolent but bold,

fierce, and free.

Both speeches, and the inauguration itself, stood in stark contrast to the speech delivered by then-President Donald Trump at a “Save America” rally on January 6. To an audience of loyal supporters, Trump claimed that he would “never concede,” calling Biden an “illegitimate president.” A woeful last stand, Trump rallied his supporters to “get rid of the weak Congresspeople” by “fight[ing]much harder,” claiming that his supporters were “allowed to go by very different rules.” Further inflaming an already tense political environment, Trump urged his supporters to “take back” the country.

In compliance with Trump’s orders, the mob marched to Congress and stormed the building. It took six hours for the National Guard troops to secure the Capitol. With internal conflicts at an all-time high and America’s democracy in question, fear of another Trump-fuelled insurrection striking Biden’s inauguration grew.

While the FBI speculated that armed, anti-Biden protests could occur across all 50 states, it appears that Trump supporters thought better than to venture to their local capitals. Law enforcement did not record any acts of violence, nor were there any sizable gatherings across the country.

The few who did appear at their state capitals were disappointed with the turn out.

Trump made his way back to his Mar-a-Lago residence, disappointed, defeated and alone. Trump’s staunchest allies—Mike Pence, Mitch McConnell, and Lindsey Graham, to name a few—attended the inauguration, putting their country before their loyalty to Trump. Even Ted Cruz, who defended the former president until his last day in office, attended the event.

Despite the concern of possible protests and riots, it appears President Biden will not have to address an immediate internal threat to America’s democracy in his first few days in office. Still, there remains a lot of work to be done by the new administration. 

Party polarization remains at an all-time high, with little room for agreement between the aisles. One need not look past Biden’s COVID-19 Relief Bill to see evidence of the divide. While Democrats believe the $1.9 trillion USD proposal is necessary to guide the nation out of the pandemic, Republicans perceive it as frivolous spending. To complicate the situation, conservative-leaning Democrats like Senator Joe Manchin will essentially have a veto over consequential issues in a Senate split 50-50 on party lines. Unity will require a moderate approach.