President Biden’s Inauguration Highlights Unity, Tradition

The inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris was an event unlike any other. Yesterday’s ceremonies took place amid a raging COVID-19 pandemic and only weeks after a pro-Trump mob overtook the Capitol. Still, the show went on, albeit with smaller crowds and tighter security. The Biden administration focused the day on unity and healing, but not without acknowledging the immense challenges ahead.

President Biden inherits a country ill-prepared to take on a global pandemic, the proliferation of right-wing extremism and white supremacy, a climate crisis that continues to escalate and a reckoning with polarization and disinformation.

Listen: The historic nature of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ inauguration. 

Guests:

Libby Casey is an on-air reporter and anchor covering politics and accountability for The Washington Post. She says the security presence around the Capitol during the inauguration was unprecedented. “As a resident of Washington D.C., yesterday was surreal,” says Casey.

During the ceremony itself, Casey says Joe Biden and Kamala Harris wanted to communicate a message of unity and optimism. The traditional nature of the day spoke to the normalcy many Americans crave. For some, though, this return to order was unsettling given the recent political and social upheaval. “The attempts by Republicans to delegitimize the election and take away the votes of American citizens over the past few months cannot be ignored. So, it was a bit jarring to see some of those Republicans there yesterday,” says Casey.

The Biden inauguration was also remarkable for the history made. Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first woman, African American, Asian American, and Indian American Vice President. “It was remarkable, regardless of your politics, to see the advancement of America,” says Casey of Kamala Harris’ place in history.

Eric Deggans, NPR TV Critic, says the Biden inauguration, as a production, was an intentional and concentrated affair. “It was a more focused presentation, for sure, because you didn’t have throngs of people. Whoever came up with putting those 200,000 flags across the national mall… they deserve whatever raise they can get,” says Deggans.

He adds that the limitations imposed by COVID-19 measures and security protocols actually benefited the ceremony. “I actually like the fact that there were no large audiences. To have an environment where there weren’t tons of cheering crowds, and it was much more somber & focused… I thought it was just the right tone,” says Deggans.

Web story written by Clare Brennan.