'We must end this uncivil war,' Biden says, taking over a U.S. in crisis

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'We must end this uncivil war,' Biden says, taking over a U.S. in crisis

By Trevor Hunnicutt, Patricia Zengerle and Jarrett Renshaw

 

Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Joe Biden was sworn in as president of the United States on Wednesday, offering a message of unity and restoration to a deeply divided country reeling from a battered economy and a raging coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans.

 

Standing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol two weeks after a mob of then-President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the building, Biden called for a return to civic decency in an inaugural address marking the end of Trump's tempestuous four-year term.

 

"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," Biden, a Democrat, said after taking the oath of office.

 

Democrat Joe Biden was sworn in as president of the United States on Wednesday, assuming the helm of a country reeling from deep political divides, a battered economy and a raging coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans.

 

"We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this - if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts."

 

The themes of Biden's 21-minute speech mirrored those he had put at the center of his presidential campaign, when he portrayed himself as an empathetic alternative to the divisive Trump, a Republican.

 

The inauguration itself, one unlike any other in U.S. history, served as a stark reminder of both the tumult that defined the Trump era as well as the pandemic that still threatens the country.

 

Amid warnings of possible renewed violence, thousands of armed National Guard troops circled the Capitol in an unprecedented show of force. The National Mall, typically packed with throngs of supporters, instead was filled with nearly 200,000 U.S. flags. Attending dignitaries - including former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton - wore masks and sat several feet apart.

 

Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, became the first Black person, first woman and first Asian American to serve as vice president after she was sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court's first Latina member.

 

 

Kamala Harris is sworn in as U.S. Vice President as her spouse Doug Emhoff holds a bible during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

The president spoke forcefully about the Jan. 6 Capitol siege when Trump backers breached the building, sending lawmakers fleeing for safety and leaving five dead, including a police officer. But Biden never mentioned his predecessor by name.

 

The violence prompted the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives to impeach Trump last week for an unprecedented second time, accusing him of incitement after he exhorted his backers to march on the building to press false claims of election fraud.

 

"Here we stand, just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people, to stop the work on our democracy, to drive us from this sacred ground," Biden said. "It did not happen; it will never happen. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever."

 

The norm-defying Trump flouted one last convention on his way out of the White House when he refused to meet with Biden or attend his successor's inauguration, breaking with a political tradition seen as affirming the peaceful transfer of power.

 

Trump, who never conceded the Nov. 3 election, did not mention Biden by name in his final remarks as president on Wednesday morning, when he touted his administration's record. He then boarded Air Force One for the last time and flew to his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida.

 

Top Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence and the party's congressional leaders, skipped Trump's send-off and attended Biden's inauguration instead.

 

Biden takes office at a time of deep national unease, with the country facing what his advisers have described as four compounding crises: the pandemic, the economic downturn, climate change and racial inequality. He has promised immediate action, including a raft of executive orders on his first day in office.

 

After a bitter campaign marked by Trump's baseless allegations of election fraud, Biden struck a conciliatory tone rarely heard from Trump, asking Americans who did not vote for him to give him a chance.

 

"I pledge this to you: I will be a president for all Americans," he said. "And I promise you I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did."

 

Although his remarks were directed primarily at domestic problems, Biden also delivered a message to the rest of the world. He promised to repair alliances frayed by Trump and act as a strong partner for peace, progress and security. He made no specific mention of high-stakes disputes with North Korea, Iran and China.

 

World leaders issued congratulatory statements, with several U.S. allies expressing relief at Biden's inauguration after Trump's unpredictable tenure.

 

IMMEDIATE ACTION

Biden took the presidential oath, administered by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, with his left hand resting atop a five-inch heirloom Bible that has been in his family for a century.

 

Later in the day, Biden attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, accompanied by Obama, Bush and Clinton.

 

Biden's inauguration as the 46th president was the zenith of a five-decade career in public service that included more than three decades in the U.S. Senate and two terms as vice president under Obama. At 78, he is the oldest U.S. president in history.

 

He faces calamities that would challenge even the most experienced politician.

 

The pandemic reached a pair of grim milestones on Trump's final full day in office on Tuesday, reaching 400,000 U.S. deaths and 24 million infections - the highest of any country. Millions of Americans are out of work because of pandemic-related shutdowns and restrictions.

 

"Few people in our nation's history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we're in now," Biden said.

 

Biden has vowed to bring the full weight of the federal government to bear on the crisis. His top priority is a $1.9 trillion plan that would enhance jobless benefits and provide direct cash payments to households.

 

But it will require approval from a divided Congress, where Democrats hold slim advantages in both the House and Senate. Harris was scheduled to swear in three new Democratic senators late on Wednesday, creating a 50-50 split in the chamber with herself as the tie-breaking vote.

 

Biden will waste little time trying to turn the page on the Trump era, advisers said, signing 15 executive actions on Wednesday on issues ranging from the pandemic to the economy to climate change.

 

The orders will include mandating masks on federal property, rejoining the Paris climate accord and ending Trump's travel ban on some Muslim-majority countries.

 

Although Biden has laid out a packed agenda for his first 100 days, including delivering 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations, the Senate could be consumed by Trump's upcoming impeachment trial, which will move ahead even though he has left office.

 

The trial could serve as an early test of Biden's promise to foster a renewed sense of bipartisanship in Washington.

Full coverage for Eikon readers of the U.S. presidential transition https://emea1.apps.cp.thomsonreuters.com/cms/?navid=20856

 

For multimedia coverage please open in a separate browser https://www.reuters.com/world/us

 

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Patricia Zengerle and Jarrett Renshaw in Washington; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Steve Holland, Doina Chiacu, Makini Brice, Alexandra Alper, Diane Bartz, Tim Ahmann and James Oliphant; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Alistair Bell)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-21

 

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[Justgrazing]

Speaking from the heart with a genuine compassion and empathy J B came across as more of a statesman in his first 15 mins than the previous incumbent did in 4 years .. 

 

Amanda Gorman's poem at the conclusion was also worthy of the day in the sentiments it carried .. 

 

Well done to President Biden and V P Harris the stage is theirs now to put the U S back on a righteous track .. 

[Tug]

Just grazing is spot on imo we need to make news organizations and political figures pay a heavy price for deliberately spreading lies and disinformation that would go a long way in closing the divide having different opinions is healthy if they are fact based and worked through in a civil manner a good day for all of us imo 

[sammieuk1]

Fitting Lady Gaga played Joe in and Gaga president out a very ironic choice of artists  ???? 

[Jeffr2]

To stop, the spread of misinformation needs to stop.  Sadly, some don't fact check and just believe what they hear on these divisive outlets.  And sadly, some actually agree with the racist and hate filled content.

[Peterw42]

10 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

To stop, the spread of misinformation needs to stop.  Sadly, some don't fact check and just believe what they hear on these divisive outlets.  And sadly, some actually agree with the racist and hate filled content.

I agree but I think the misinformation (from trump) will get worse now. Trump was somewhat restricted in what he could say, the office of president, the GOP, 24 hr scrutiny etc. Now, as a private citizen, it will be a free for all.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

16 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

To stop, the spread of misinformation needs to stop.  Sadly, some don't fact check and just believe what they hear on these divisive outlets.  And sadly, some actually agree with the racist and hate filled content.

Don't believe in free speech and do believe in censorship then?

Who are going to be the censors? The woke left perhaps?

[Mama Noodle]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Don't believe in free speech and do believe in censorship then?

Who are going to be the censors? The woke left perhaps?

 

Of course. The ones calling for the curtailing of speech are always the ones who get to decide what's right and wrong and who should talk and who shouldn't. 

 

 

[Jeffr2]

10 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

I agree but I think the misinformation (from trump) will get worse now. Trump was somewhat restricted in what he could say, the office of president, the GOP, 24 hr scrutiny etc. Now, as a private citizen, it will be a free for all.

 

Not sure how he will get his message out?  No social media.  He's done some 57,000 Tweets over the years.  And ones he did in office would have landed others in jail.  So as a private citizen, he can be sued easily.  Like from that voting machine company.

 

I sure hope he starts that new party.  It will kill the GOP. 

[Jeffr2]

10 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Don't believe in free speech and do believe in censorship then?

Who are going to be the censors? The woke left perhaps?

First, we don't have free speech.  There are limits.  Second, it's up to the private companies as to what they allow on their platform.  Not the government, unless it violates the laws.

 

This attempted coup happened because of misinformation in social media.  Fueled by lies from politicians, amplified by right wing outlets and social media.  It needs to stop.  Sadly, some aren't smart enough to know the truth from a lie.

[Peterw42]

7 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Don't believe in free speech and do believe in censorship then?

Who are going to be the censors? The woke left perhaps?

I think there needs to be a definition of free speech first. Its not the constitutional right to tell lies.

Its the right to an opinion, not the right to spread misinformation.

 

 

[Mama Noodle]

Just now, Jeffr2 said:

First, we don't have free speech.  There are limits.  Second, it's up to the private companies as to what they allow on their platform.  Not the government, unless it violates the laws.

 

This attempted coup happened because of misinformation in social media.  Fueled by lies from politicians, amplified by right wing outlets and social media.  It needs to stop.  Sadly, some aren't smart enough to know the truth from a lie.

 

How far the west has fallen to have so many people who think like this. 

[Peterw42]

4 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

Not sure how he will get his message out?  No social media.  He's done some 57,000 Tweets over the years.  And ones he did in office would have landed others in jail.  So as a private citizen, he can be sued easily.  Like from that voting machine company.

 

I sure hope he starts that new party.  It will kill the GOP. 

I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with a Hanity style "opinion" show on OAN.

Misinformation dressed up as opinion

[Mama Noodle]

Just now, Peterw42 said:

I think there needs to be a definition of free speech first. Its not the constitutional right to tell lies.

Its the right to an opinion, not the right to spread misinformation.

 

All of the above is protected speech, by definition and by the supreme court, and by the first amendment. 

[Jeffr2]

 

 

Healthy criticism is fantastic!  Lies are not.  Which is what we've seen for 4 years from Trump and his band of enablers.  Time to stop. 

 

Trump would still be president if he got off Twitter and let others around him who were capable lead the government.  He did, by the way, get impeached for actions he took.  Like instigating an attempted coup as confirmed by Mitch.

 

Must hurt to read this:

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/mitch-mcconnell-rioters-provoked/index.html

 

Quote

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday directly blamed President Donald Trump for the deadly mob that attacked the Capitol, as the Senate prepares for an impeachment trial on whether to convict the President for "incitement of insurrection" and potentially disqualify him from holding office in the future.

 

"The mob was fed lies," McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said on the Senate floor. "They were provoked by the President and other powerful people."

 

 

[Mama Noodle]

1 minute ago, Jeffr2 said:

Healthy criticism is fantastic!  Lies are not.  Which is what we've seen for 4 years from Trump and his band of enablers.  Time to stop. 

 

Funny how you only care about rightwing lies and misinformation. But thats the goal isnt it. Just another hammer used politically and not objectively. 

[Jeffr2]

3 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

All of the above is protected speech, by definition and by the supreme court, and by the first amendment. 

Do you understand what the first amendment says?  You should read it.

[Jeffr2]

1 minute ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Funny how you only care about rightwing lies and misinformation. But thats the goal isnt it. Just another hammer used politically and not objectively. 

Ok, I'll bite from a troll.  What's left wing lies and misinformation?  Show me one article like that from CNN, BBC, The NY Times, WaPo, etc.

 

Credible sources only.  I'll be waiting.

[EVENKEEL]

The burning and looting which swept across America recently has been forgiven and forgotten.

[Mama Noodle]

2 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

What's left wing lies and misinformation? 

 

Heres just one of a trillion that get tossed around 

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/31/politics/ossoff-loeffler-kkk-fact-check/index.html

[Jeffr2]

Just now, EVENKEEL said:

The burning and looting which swept across America recently has been forgiven and forgotten.

That's not true at all.  Don't post misinformation.  Racism in the US is alive and well and one of the items Biden is going to try and address.  Something Trump only fueled.  NO denying that.

[Jeffr2]

Just now, Mama Noodle said:

 

Heres just one of a trillion that get tossed around 

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/31/politics/ossoff-loeffler-kkk-fact-check/index.html

That's just a report from CNN.  And it's based on facts.  Congrats to CNN for fact checking. 

 

Wanna try again?

[EVENKEEL]

Just now, Jeffr2 said:

That's not true at all.  Don't post misinformation.  Racism in the US is alive and well and one of the items Biden is going to try and address.  Something Trump only fueled.  NO denying that.

Simply my opinion, as a US citizen I believe I'm allowed this.

[Mama Noodle]

1 minute ago, Jeffr2 said:

That's just a report from CNN.

 

Thats osoff lying his butt off during GA runoffs about his competitor in a state with a large black population about his opponent campaigning with Klansmen. 

 

And you think this is.... funny? 

[Jeffr2]

1 minute ago, EVENKEEL said:

Simply my opinion, as a US citizen I believe I'm allowed this.

And that's how the attempted coup started.  Opinions that the election was fraudulent.  Wrong opinions, obviously.

[Jeffr2]

Just now, Mama Noodle said:

 

Thats osoff lying his butt off during GA runoffs about his competitor in a state with a large black population about his opponent campaigning with Klansmen. 

 

And you think this is.... funny? 

From your article.  And no, I don't think it's funny with people running for congress get pics taken with white supremacists.  Guaranteed she knew who they were.  Everybody in that state knows who the leader of the KKK is.

 

Quote

The photo, taken at a December 11 campaign event, shows Loeffler posing with Chester Doles, a former Ku Klux Klan leader and member of the neo-Nazi National Alliance who was sentenced to prison in the 1990s for assaulting a Black man in Maryland.

 

[Peterw42]

If free speech is the right to say anything, maybe someone can explain why the tobacco companies are not standing up and saying smoking is good for you.

Are the tobacco companies being censored ?

[placeholder]

24 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

I think there needs to be a definition of free speech first. Its not the constitutional right to tell lies.

Its the right to an opinion, not the right to spread misinformation.

 

 

Actually, the constitution does protect your right to tell lies. It doesn't necessarily protect your right to be free from libel and slander charges, though. Let's see if Trump continues to slander and libel the Dominion voting machine company. Fox, Newsmax and others seem to have gotten the message and stopped.

[Jeffr2]

Trump's supporters seem to not understand the first amendment with regards to free speech.  Seems they get their info from dodgy right wing media outlets.

 

https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/about/faq/which-types-of-speech-are-not-protected-by-the-first-amendment/

 

Although different scholars view unprotected speech in different ways, there are basically nine categories:

• Obscenity
• Fighting words
• Defamation (including libel and slander)
• Child pornography
• Perjury
• Blackmail
• Incitement to imminent lawless action
• True threats
• Solicitations to commit crimes

Some experts also would add treason, if committed verbally, to that list. Plagiarism of copyrighted material is also not protected.

[placeholder]

17 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Heres just one of a trillion that get tossed around 

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/31/politics/ossoff-loeffler-kkk-fact-check/index.html

Really funny. You accuse the left wing of dishonesty and you make a dishonest post in response. You purposely edited out the crucial sentence in Jeffr2's comments. " Show me one article like that from CNN, BBC, The NY Times, WaPo, etc." Here is his comment in full:

In fact, CNN was doing a great job of fact checking a false allegation from Ossoff.