Washington: Joseph R. Biden Jr. took the oath of office Wednesday on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, becoming the 46th president of the United States.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Biden, after which the Marine band performed “Hail to the Chief.” The president took the oath on a 127-year-old family Bible held by first lady Jill Biden.
The Bidens were joined at the event by their children, Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, and several grandchildren.
Joe Biden praised the tradition of the inaugural ceremonies and the peaceful transition of power, two weeks after an attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause — the cause of democracy. The will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded,” he said.
“We learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”
The new president called on Americans to unite to overcome the nation’s political discord, the ongoing pandemic that has killed some 400,000 people nationwide, racial injustice and climate change.
