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#USInauguration | Biden now US President... What he said

Published:Wednesday | January 20, 2021 | 1:39 PM
President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” as he took the helm of a deeply divided nation and inherited a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors.

Biden’s inauguration came at a time of national tumult and uncertainty, a ceremony of resilience as the hallowed American democratic rite unfurled at a U.S. Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago. The chilly Washington morning was dotted with snow flurries, but the sun emerged just before Biden took the oath of office, the quadrennial ceremony persevering even though it was encircled by security forces evocative of a war zone and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic.

What Biden said on:

RACIAL INJUSTICE: "The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer. My whole soul is in it – bringing America together, uniting our people."

THE ROAD AHEAD: "We are going to need your strength to face this dark winter, US president Joe Biden says. Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. We will get through this together!"

FOREIGN RELATIONSHIPS: "We will repair our alliances and engage the world again. We’ll lead not merely by the existence of our power but by the power of example."

DEMOCRACY: “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 and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve.”

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