Photo courtesy of President Joe Biden/Facebook
This morning, the transition of power occurred in Washington D.C. as Joe Biden has officially been sworn in as the 46th President in the history of the United States of America.
During his inaugural address, President Biden delivered a message of unity, calling for an end to “this uncivil war” as America faces the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened political and racial tensions.
“History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other, not as adversaries, but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury.
No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail. We have never, ever, ever, ever failed in America when we’ve acted together,” he said.
On the pandemic front, Biden has promised 100 million shots in 100 days as the rollout of the vaccine continues. During his speech, the new president stated that “We’re entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus” after deaths recently surpassed 400,000.
President Biden also mentioned climate change as a pressing issue facing the nation and the world. He is expected to rejoin the Paris Climate Accords which President Trump decided to pull America out of.
As for Mississippi’s representation on Capitol Hill, it began as the new state flag graced the ground of the National Mall.
One of the things that’s most striking about the flags on the National Mall is that, along with thousands of American flags, there are thousands of state flags as well. Including what I suspect is Mississippi’s new flag making its Mall debut. pic.twitter.com/LcOgQL8un9
— Megan Pratz (@meganpratz) January 19, 2021
All but one member of Mississippi’s D.C. delegation, Rep. Steven Palazzo, attended the inauguration. After President Biden was sworn in, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith issued the following statement.
“I wish President Biden and Vice President Harris well as they undertake the serious challenges facing our beloved country.
“I am committed to working with the new administration and my colleagues to find common-ground solutions to defend our nation and to rebuild an economy damaged by a pandemic that continues to claim too many of our fellow citizens. Overcoming these challenges will require the Senate, now divided 50-50, to work together. This is what the American people expect and deserve even in the face of the divisions that define our national politics.
“Finally, as a conservative, I am grateful for the good accomplished by President Trump and his administration. I believe our national path forward can, and should, build on those achievements in the months and years ahead,” Hyde-Smith said.
Palazzo did issue a statement of his own following the transition of power.
“It has been a pleasure to work with President Trump and his Administration to deliver many victories to the families of south Mississippi. Under his leadership, we’ve successfully delivered a record-breaking economy, a stronger military, a more secure border, modernized trade agreements, record job creation, a renewed focus on NASA and space exploration, the confirmation of three Supreme Court Justices, left the disastrous Iran Nuclear Deal and rolled out the COVID-19 vaccine to restore our way of life. These all are very notable accomplishments, and I commend President Trump on a job well done.
“The time for a peaceful transition of power has arrived. As we make this transition, I have every intention of holding President Biden accountable for his promise to serve all Americans and not just those who are members of his party. I expect our new President to put the best interests of America and our people first.
“Let it be known that America’s problems are not best met with socialist proposals that are going to further erode our years of historic economic success, grow our national debt, and stifle job creation. Americans deserve real solutions that will get this country back on track,” Palazzo said.
Other members of the delegation, including Congressman Bennie Thompson and Senator Roger Wicker, posted pictures from this morning’s event.
Happy Inauguration Day!
Trump is gone, Hallelujah! pic.twitter.com/vfDRh8BOHS
— Bennie G. Thompson (@BennieGThompson) January 20, 2021
It is great to be at the U.S. Capitol today with my wife, Gayle. The inaugural ceremony is one of the majestic symbols of our republic, representing the orderly transfer of power from one administration to the next. pic.twitter.com/vMixOUJHhQ
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) January 20, 2021
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