After a tumultuous election process, Joseph Robinette Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. With his hand on his family bible, Biden swore to uphold the office of president, something that means more now than ever. With the chaos at the Capitol still fresh in every American’s mind, the process of democracy has a bitter taste. On January 6th, 2021 Trump supporters stormed the Capital in protest of the election, an event that quickly became violent, resulting in death and destruction. According to the FBI, at least 164 people have been charged in connection with the Capital riot. The Inauguration presented a return to a more peaceful time. 

Political figures such as Bernie Sanders, who has famously become a meme thanks to the cold weather and his stylish mittens, Andrew Yang, who recently announced a run for mayor of NYC, and our very own governor Phil Murphy attended the ceremony. Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton also attended the ceremony, as well as, former Vice President Mike Pence. While the 45th President, Donald J. Trump left the White House hours before his successor was inaugurated to the sounds of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” in what may have been a fitting end, though others would have preferred an arrest. Trump is currently being accused of inciting the riots, a charge that came with his (unprecedented) second impeachment. Though Trump’s term has ended, the impeachment process is ongoing. 

The inauguration included appearances by Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks. While these artists brought a musical element to the event, President Joe Biden’s speech brought a sense of unity. “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural vs. urban, conservative vs. liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts,” he declared, exemplifying his push to bring our country togetherness after a year of political unrest, protests and a world-wide pandemic. Biden also promised to, “…press forward with speed and urgency…”, recognizing the changes needed to be done to unify, repair, restore, and heal the nation. On his first day as president, Biden signed various executive actions, and some were to roll back initiatives started by the Trump Administration. The first major rollback was the resignation of the Trump Administration of the Paris Climate Agreement. This agreement, created by the UN, combats climate change by figuring out ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Biden also lifted the Muslim Ban that had been placed by the previous administration. This ban refused the entry of Muslims trying to enter the US in hopes of escaping the dangerous areas they lived in. Biden has also halted the construction of the extension to the Keystone XL pipeline. This extension was to be based in Canada and run into the US and has been met with harsh criticism and protest by the indiginous people who rightfully own the land where construction was planned to begin. Biden also lifted many policies harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, including laws against trans people in the military, the ability for hospitals to deny assistance to people in the gay community, and the prevention of trans students from being able to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their gender identities. 

After a very eventful first day on the job, President Biden left us with a message for the future of his administration, and hopefully, our country, declaring, “…together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear. Of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness.”