President Biden Sworn In; VP Harris Makes History
Seward’s Parade of Flags stand still and at full staff Wednesday night.
Photo Courtesy of Cody Bender
By Elisha Meyer
A new political agenda is underway as Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. spoke the oath of office Wednesday morning to officially become the 46th President of the United States.
Biden said in his first few words as president that this was a victory not for himself, but for all of democracy.
“This is democracy’s day,” Biden said, “a day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded.”
A number of added security measures highlighted the event after, just two weeks ago, a group of Trump extremists stormed the U.S. capitol building during a joint session of Congress convened to finalize the 2020 electoral college vote count. Biden once again condemned the actions of those who attacked and called for unity between all Americans, even those who did not vote for him.
“I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days,” Biden said. “I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. I also know they are not new. Unity is the path forward.”
Along with limited attendance due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, multiple security checkpoints were installed en route to the capitol. The FBI is also helping security brace for any sort of security breach and is also warning all 50 states to take necessary precautions in the case of rioting.
The inauguration also saw the activation of 230 Nebraska National Guardsmen, who were sworn in on Tuesday as ‘special police’ in D.C. An estimated 21,500 National Guardsmen were activated across the country.
Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Nebraska adjutant general, said “I am incredibly proud of our Soldiers and Airmen who will participate in this historic event, one that reinforces the peaceful transition of power – a hallmark of our democracy – and ensures the safety and well-being of our fellow Americans at our nation’s capital.”
Vice President Kamala Harris was also sworn into office, making her the first woman, as well as African-American and Asian-American to hold the title.
While Harris did not speak at the inauguration, she took to Twitter to express her thoughts in just three words: “Ready to serve.”
