“Democracy has prevailed,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in his inaugural speech on December 20.
In his first remarks as president, Biden said that his swearing-in marks a day of “history and hope” when the country has “learned again that democracy is precious.”
He promised to defend democracy, the Constitution and America. He called on citizens to unite and expressed the opinion that his election was won not by an individual politician or party, but by democracy itself.
“My fellow Americans, this is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a Crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge. Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause. The cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed…” Biden said.
"Without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness, and fury," he said. "No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos… This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge," he continued. "And unity is the path forward".
At times, Biden's speech seemed a direct rebuttal to his predecessor's administration, although he did not mention Donald Trump by name.Where Trump frequently spoke of American greatness and glorified its founders, Biden noted that the nation's history has been a "constant struggle" between its ideals and sometimes harsh realities. Where Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway spoke of "alternative facts" almost four years ago, Biden said: "There is truth and there are lies - lies told for power and for profit."
Biden wrapped up his inaugural address by warning that America must not "turn inward" - both as individuals retreating into "competing factions" and as a nation on the world stage.
"We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again," he said.
“I thank my predecessors of both parties for their presence here today. I thank them from the bottom of my heart and I know the resilience of our Constitution and the strength, the strength of our nation, as does President Carter who I spoke with last night who cannot be with us today but whom we salute for his lifetime of service.” Biden said.
He honored and declared a moment of silent prayer to “remember all those who we lost this past year to the pandemic, those 400,000 fellow Americans, moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, and coworkers”.
The president urged Americans to unite to overcome the challenges facing the nation. This is an idea he often mentioned during the election campaign.
“To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy. Unity. Unity,” Biden said.
Biden promised to defeat extremism and terrorism in the United States.
“Uniting to fight the foes we face, anger, resentment, and hatred. Extremism, lawlessness, violence, disease, joblessness, and hopelessness with unity, we can do great things, important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome the deadly virus. We can reward–reward work and rebuild the middle class and make healthcare secure for all. We can deliver racial justice, and we can make America once again the leading force for good in the world.” he stressed.
The inauguration ceremony is over. But, as Biden noted in his speech, the American people face one of the most challenging times in their nation's history.
"We will be judged by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era," he said.
Biden campaigned against Trump for the opportunity to face those crises. Now he has his chance.