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It's official: Joe Biden is the 46th President of the United States -
and with his swearing in, a new era is set to begin.
Biden comes up with a haunting appeal for unity and reconciliation:
Joe Biden, US President
“Today is America's Day. Today is Democracy Day, a day of history and hope for renewal and determination. On this January day, my whole soul is in here: bringing America together, uniting our people and uniting our nation. And I ask every American to join me. "
Despite all the circumstances: The unprecedented security precautions after the storming of the Capitol two weeks ago and the corona pandemic, despite the lack of spectators - it was an inauguration as we know it from the past, with a lot of pomp and staging: Pop greats like Lady Gaga performed - and the young poet Amanda Gorman delighted those present with moving words about the storming of the Capitol.
Joe Biden again condemned the attack on the heart of American democracy:
Joe Biden, US President
“We are here just days after a rampaging mob thought it would use force to silence the people, stop the work of our democracy and drive us off this sacred ground. You didn't make it. It will never happen. Not today, not tomorrow, never. "
The former President Trump left the capital in time for the celebrations.
Biden's words should be addressed primarily to him and his followers:
Joe Biden, US President
“
So let's start over here today.
Let's start listening to each other again, seeing each other, respecting each other.
Politics doesn't have to be a raging fire that destroys everything on its way.
Not every disagreement must be the cause of total war. "
In addition to the pop stars from the east and west coasts, the country singer Garth Brooks from the Midwest also performed - which was probably meant as a concession to the "other America".
Brooks' fans, many of them Trump supporters, didn't like that at all.
The road to unity in the land evoked by Joe Biden will be a long and arduous one.