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President Joe Biden on Wednesday offered a message of healing for the country and hope for the future after he was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.
Transcript
00:00President Joe Biden offered a message of healing for the country and hope for the future after he
00:05was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Standing before a socially distanced and
00:11reduced crowd, all surrounded by a militarized U.S. Capitol due to the January 6th insurrection,
00:17Biden offered a stark contrast of his version of America than that of his predecessor,
00:22Donald Trump, four years ago. After being introduced with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden,
00:26President Biden said, this is America's day. This is democracy's day, a day of history and hope,
00:32of renewal and resolve. Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause,
00:37the cause of democracy. We've learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile.
00:43At this hour, my friend, democracy has prevailed. Among those in attendance were former presidents
00:48Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, along with former first ladies Michelle Obama,
00:54Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. Former President Jimmy Carter was unable to travel to attend.
00:59The most recent President Donald Trump was not in attendance at the inauguration,
01:03something that has not been seen in more than 150 years. Senator Amy Klobuchar began the inaugural
01:09event by saying, we celebrate a new president, Joe Biden, who vows to restore the soul of America.
01:15Klobuchar also introduced the first African-American, first Asian-American and first woman vice
01:20president Kamala Harris, quote, who stands on the shoulders of so many on this platform who have
01:25forged the way to this day. Father Leo O'Donovan, a Jesuit priest who is close friends with the
01:30Bidens, gave the invocation, and Lady Gaga performed a powerful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
01:36Following Harris being sworn in as vice president, an emotional Jennifer Lopez performed,
01:40This Land Is Your Land. And Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old poet from Los Angeles,
01:45took the stage to powerfully recite her poem, The Hill We Climb. During his address, Biden said,
01:51we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant opportunities. With unity,
01:55we can do great things, important things. My whole soul is in this, uniting our nation,
02:01uniting our people. I ask every American to join me in this cause. He concluded,
02:06I give you my word. I will always level with you. I'll defend America. Together,
02:10we will write a story of hope, decency, and dignity. May we meet this moment.
02:16After Biden closed his speech, Garth Brooks performed Amazing Grace.
02:20For more on this story, visit THR.com. For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Neha Joy.
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