In his first speech as The President of the United Statesjust after being sworn in this Wednesday before the Capitol, Joe Biden spoke of the need to unite the country “at a time of unprecedented crisis”.
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“This is the day of the United States, this is the day of democracy. Today we celebrate the victory, not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy. The will of the people has been taken into account and we have learned again that democracy is fragile but valuable and prevails right now, ”said President Joe Biden in his first official address.
Central, the president called for the “unity” of the country and He promised to become the president of all Americans.
Biden, 78, was sworn in before Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in a solemn ceremony before the Capitol. “We’ve come this far, but we still have to go furthersaid Biden, saying there is much to be “cured”.
In his speech the experienced politician stated that U.S faces “the rise of political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism”, but affirmed that these threats will be defeated.
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“I know of the resilience of our Constitution and the strength of our nation. I have just taken the sacred oath first sworn by George Washington, where the history of our nation depends not only on some, but on all of us“, he said.
Today, January 20, my whole soul is committed to unite all Americans and I ask everyone to follow me on this path
This ceremony without an audience being remembered the country’s 400,000 pandemic deaths with a string of American flags planted on the esplanade in front of the Capitol. Biden also wanted to pay tribute to the victims with a minute of silence and warned about this during his speech The United States faces the “deadliest” phase of the pandemic.
“In my first act as president, I ask you to join one act of silence and prayer for all the people we lost in this pandemicGuests urged Biden, also referring to the attack on the Capitol, saying that “we will return to fix our eyes on a nation that we are and can be. “
Joe Biden’s speech was known for its conciliatory message and for the challenges ahead, for America as a nation, from now on.
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“We are moving forward urgently, because we still have a lot to do (…), there is much to be cured, but also much to be gained. Few people in our nation’s history have faced as many challenges as the ones we are going through now. A virus affecting us, millions of jobs lost, the call of racial justice demanding that the dream of justice be no longer put off for everyone, ”he said.
In addition, he indicated that his whole soul was in that oath. “Today, January 20, my whole soul is working to unite all Americans and I ask everyone to follow me on this path.” “We can overcome the deadly virus, rebuild the middle class, create healthcare for all, achieve racial justice and make America the power in the world again.“.
Biden also referred to the great differences that have plagued the United States for years, such as racism. “Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal, which we were all created as equals, but in the face of the struggles in which racism and struggle have long divided us.”
Thousands of flags decorated the Capitol in tribute to the victims of Covid-19 in the United States.
For this it was proposed to invite all Americans to turn the page of the coronavirus crisis together. “We have come together to move on, and we can do that now. We cannot see each other as opponents, but as neighbors. We can treat each other with respect. Because without unity there is no peace; only bitterness and anger. “
“The discrepancy should never lead to division and I promise to be a president for all Americans and I will fight for both those who supported me and those who did not support me, ”he said.
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Moreover, he pointed out that this will be an effort together with the international community. “We will be guided by the strength of our example. You will be strong partners in peace, security and cooperation. In my first act as President, I ask you to join in an act of silence and prayer for all the people we lost in this pandemic. “
We have to be brave because there is so much to do, I promise you, we will be judged by the way we resolve this cascade of crises.
Another element worth noting in Joe Biden’s speech is the repeated message of his defense of democracy. “This is a time of trial, we face an attack on democracy and the truth (…). We have to dare because there is so much to do, I promise you, we will be judged by the way we resolve this cascade of crisis, ”said the president.
However, he insisted that he try to write together: “the next chapter in American history. “, saying that” it will sound like a song that means a lot to me: the work of prayers has brought us to this day, what will be our inheritance … “.
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In this way, the new president promised to “do his best”. “United States: When I am done with my mandate, I will say that I have done my best”, and he assured that he will not rest until this goal is achieved.
“I give you my word: I will always tell you the truth, I will defend the constitution, democracy and the United States. I’ll give you everything and together we’ll write an American story of hope, not fear; of light, not of darkness; of greatness and good. May this be the story that inspires us and tells future generations that we have risen to the challenge and that justice, hope and peace flourished, making America once again a beacon of light to the world. “
I give you my word: I will always tell you the truth, I will defend the constitution, democracy and the United States
Faced with the international challenges ahead, President Biden assured that “we will lead by the strength of our example. You will be strong partners in peace, security and cooperation.”
His speech lasted 21 minutes and was slightly longer than the speech he delivered at his inauguration four years ago. the now former President Donald Trump, which lasted 16 minutes.
Biden’s rise to power also marks a historic day for the United States, such as Kamala Harris was sworn in as the country’s first vice president.
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Trump’s absence from the ceremony was a milestone in 150 years of Republican tradition, but his administration was represented by outgoing Vice President Mike Pence.
The ceremony, already diminished by the pandemic, It was also marked by the capture of the Capitol on Jan. 6, forcing an unprecedented security deployment in Washington. where traffic is cut off through the city center and thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed.
INTERNATIONAL SETUP
With information from AFP
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