In his inaugural address, President Joe Biden focused on Covid, climate change, racial injustice and the economic crisis the nation is grappling with and which will shape the health agenda for the next four years.
Statistics:
In his inaugural address, Biden promises that the US can « overcome » Covid-19
President Biden on Wednesday pledged that the United States could « overcome » the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warning that it was entering « possibly the toughest and deadliest phase » of the crisis. The remarks made at key moments of his inaugural address on the Capitol’s western front made a haunted promise that the country can end the pandemic. (Facher, 1/20)
KHN:
Biden takes over the reins and calls for a unified front against Covid and other threats
Joe Biden took the oath on Wednesday to become the 46th President of the United States and vowed to bring the nation together amid an ongoing pandemic that has claimed more than 400,000 lives, tremendous economic upheaval and unrest as grave as that US Capitol steps on which he took his oath were surrounded not by cheering crowds, but by tens of thousands of armed police and National Guard troops. In his inaugural address, delivered outdoors despite concerns about his physical safety, Biden emphasized unity, the driving theme of his campaign. « My whole soul is in the process of bringing America together and uniting our nation, » he said. « And I ask every American to join me on this. » (Rovner, 1/20)
Politico:
Biden tries to bring normality back to the White House after a turbulent 4 years
Biden’s first day as president was most notable for the dire lack of normalcy in a heavily guarded capital where armed troops were far more than spectators. With the coronavirus pandemic at its worst – the number of Americans killed by Covid-19 exceeded 400,000 as of Tuesday – much of the pomp and circumstance of a typical inauguration has been curtailed. And many of Biden’s employees continued to work from home instead of joining the president in the west wing. (Pager, 1/20)
AP:
Biden takes off the helmet and appeals to the unit to accept crises
At the Capitol, the ceremony took place within a circle of security guards reminiscent of a war zone and no crowds due to the coronavirus pandemic, as America’s tradition of peaceful transfers of power never seems more fragile. Instead, on a cold, snowstorm-strewn Washington morning, Biden looked out and saw over 200,000 American flags on the National Mall to symbolize those who were unable to attend in person. (Lemire, Miller and Jaffe, 1/21)
Politico:
Biden’s Covid Fight hits a big test: Red State politics
Joe Biden has promised to unite the states to defeat the coronavirus. And it could have a tight opening as contagious forms of Covid spread increasingly. Even more patients will overcrowd the hospitals if the more transferable variants take hold. More will die. The death toll in the US was 400,000 on Tuesday. The new White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain has bluntly pointed out that it is projected to exceed half a million within weeks. (Kenen and Roubein, 1/20)
The hill:
Pence Delivers Biden Coronavirus Task Force Report to Biden
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday presented a comprehensive report to the President, recently sworn into President Biden, detailing the work of the White House’s coronavirus task force as Biden prepares to recreate aspects of the federal government’s pandemic response to design. The 140-page report, a copy of which was obtained from The Hill, describes the Trump administration’s pandemic response from the time China first reported a group of pneumonia cases originating in Wuhan. (Samuels, 1/20)
The Washington Post:
Judges Thomas, Breyer and Alito skipped Biden’s inauguration
Only six of the nine members of the Supreme Court attended President Biden’s swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, the first time in more than 20 years that not all judges witnessed the ceremony. Judges Clarence Thomas, Stephen G. Breyer, and Samuel A. Alito Jr., the three eldest in court, were the no-shows. « Several of the judges have decided not to attend the inauguration ceremony given the public health risks posed by the COVID pandemic, » Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathleen Arberg said in a statement. (Barnes, 1/20)
The New York Times:
Biden has a peloton bike. That poses problems in the White House.
Joseph R. Biden Jr. moves into the White House on Wednesday with many important problems: a global pandemic. A crushing recession. Racial injustice. Right-wing extremism. But Mr. Biden’s personal weight control and exercise program will face another burning question: can he bring his peloton bike? The answer, say cybersecurity experts, is yes. Type of. (Stolberg, 1/20)
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