Politics

These beautiful tweets show America’s reaction to Joe Biden’s Inauguration

And a bisexual woman sang the national anthem for them.
By · Updated on January 21, 2021
Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem at the Inauguration
Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem at the Inauguration Photo: Screenshot

Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. has been inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States, and Kamala Devi Harris has also been inaugurated as the 49th Vice President of the United States.

Biden and Harris will take office amidst a pandemic of coronavirus infections that has already taken over 400,000 lives, their nominated Cabinet of officials still awaiting confirmation, and the second impeachment proceedings against Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, who did not attend today’s ceremonies.

Related: Trump’s lesbian niece Mary says this is “the worst day of his life”

They will also take office just two weeks after a white nationalism-fueled mob broke in and stormed the United States Capitol building, putting the lives of then Vice President Mike Pence and the 535 members of Congress in danger, among others. Five people perished after hours of rioting.

Eugene Goodman, an officer who faced down rioters in protection of Pence when he was directly in their reach, has become the acting Deputy Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate. Goodman escorted Harris to the Capitol and Inauguration stage.

Still, Biden and Harris will take the helm of the world’s oldest democracy until January 20, 2025. They pledge to lead the most pro-equality administration in history, and hope to have staffed the most diverse leadership ever to run the United States. That includes supporting and cementing the civil rights of LGBTQ people.

Despite the visible risks of violence and the invisible risks of viral illness, the 59th Inauguration of the President took place on the steps of that same Capitol, as most of the previous 58 did.

Harris, standing next to her husband and the Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff, was inaugurated by Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor. She becomes the first woman, African-American, and Asian-American Vice President.

She was sworn in with two Bibles held by her husband — one belonging to family friend Regina Shelton, and another belonging to former Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall.

After the colors were presented by the Armed Forces Color Guard, the national anthem was sung by bisexual award-winning entertainer Stefani Germanotta, known as Lady Gaga.

Jennifer Lopez then performed “This Land is Your Land.”

Finally, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Biden, who held his hand on a Biden family Bible held by his wife and the First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden.

Following the swearing in, Biden delivered his inaugural address for about 25 minutes.

To celebrate the inauguration, Garth Brooks sung “Amazing Grace” and Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman recited her poem “The Hill We Climb.”

The benediction was delivered by Wilmington, Delaware pastor Dr. Silvester Beaman.

Despite Trump’s refusal to take part in his successor’s inauguration, now former vice president Pence attended, along with President emeriti Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, former First Ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and former vice president Dan Quayle.

Former Vice President Al Gore appeared virtually from a remote location, and President Biden talked to former President Jimmy Carter on the phone.

To conclude the ceremonies, Vice President Harris presided over the ceremonial departure of Pence.

 

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