by The Lighthouse Staff
On January 20th, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn into their new roles as President and Vice President. The ceremony took place in front of the capitol building, with spectators observing on the lawn below.
Sonia Sotomayor– the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice– swore in Kamala Harris, after which Lady Gaga performed the national anthem. There were also performances by Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.
Joe Biden was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts. His inaugural address focused on themes of unity, saying, “Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path.” He also promised that “I will be a President for all Americans. I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.”
After the speech concluded, Amanda Gorman, the youngest ever inaugural poet, recited a poem she wrote in the aftermath of the assault on the capitol. “For there is always light,/if only we’re brave enough to see it/If only we’re brave enough to be it.” After this, Rev. Silvester Beaman, a personal friend of the Bidens, concluded the ceremony with a benediction.
Fewer spectators were present than usual because of the pandemic. Among those present were former presidents Bush, Obama, and Clinton. Former President Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump were not at the ceremony as they had already left for their home in Mar-a-Lago. There were many members of the Biden family present, including grandchildren. It snowed briefly during the inauguration but was mostly sunny.
The Lighthouse 