Washington.
Democrat Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday and made an emotional call for “unity” at a ceremony marked by the pandemic and the absence of his predecessor. Donald Trump, who left Washington a few hours earlier Florida.
“Today is a day of history and EsperanzaBiden said in his inaugural address in which he “Unitof the country and pledged to become the president of all Americans.
Biden, 78, was sworn in by the Chief Justice, John Roberts, in a solemn ceremony in front of the United States Capitol.
“We’ve come this far, but we still have to go further,” said Biden, saying there is still a lot to “heal”.
In his speech the experienced politician stated that U.S is facing “the rise of political extremism, white supremacy, the domestic terrorismbut stated that these threats will be defeated.
This ceremony without an audience remembered the 400,000 deaths of the pandemic in the country with a series of American flags planted on the esplanade in front of the Capitol.
Biden also wanted to remember the victims with a minute of silence and warned that during his speech U.S represents the “deadliest” phase of the pandemic.
Biden’s rise to power also marks a historic day for the United States, as Kamala Harris was sworn in as the country’s first vice president.
Trump’s absence from the ceremony was a milestone in 150 years of Republican tradition, but his administration was represented by the outgoing vice president, Mike Pence.
The ceremony, which had already been diminished by the pandemic, was also marked by the taking of the Capitol on January 6, showing an unprecedented security implementation in Washington, where city center traffic is cut off and thousands of National Guard troops are deployed.