On Jan. 20th, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the U.S. but with the recent capitol riot and COVID-19, things looked very different than past inaugurations. Now, President Biden is highlighting both of those topics in his first actions.
A president’s first 100 days in office have been known to be crucial because voters are most tuned in according to CNN. This shows the American people if a president should be voted for again, and allows the president to build up his or her team. Some, like democrat, senior Sydney Stidham, are already looking forward to his full term in office. Stidham said, “I am so happy Joe is being sworn in. In his four years of being our president, I really hope he can make a difference and restore the American faith.”
As announced on the POTUS’s Instagram Jan. 24, President Biden has already started action on many of the promises he made on his campaign tour. Biden’s team announced he rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, re-engaged in the WHO, mandated masks on federal property, introduced an immigration bill, reversed former-president Trump’s “Muslim Ban,” launched a “federal initiative to advance racial equity nationwide,” and strengthened “consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals” or DACA. On Jan. 25 he also announced he “repealed the transgender military ban,” and a “Buy American executive order” to push the government to buy American-made products.
Before these orders were made, Biden had to wait for his inauguration after being elected, just like the 45 Presidents before him. Democrat, senior Quinn Sheppard said, “I’m happy Joe Biden is finally being inaugurated soon, it feels like the election was forever ago.”
As stated on Twitter, before his ban from the app, a tweet from then-president Trump said he wouldn’t attend the inauguration to congratulate Biden. This has only happened three other times, with Presidents John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Johnson not attending the inauguration of their successors, according to TIME.
Some Americans were worried it wouldn’t be a smooth transition of power or as peaceful as it should be after the attack on the Capitol. Democrat, junior Lilly Frazier said, “I think it should be peaceful, but the fact of the matter is I don’t necessarily know it will be. As [Jan. 6] has shown, and remarks by Trump, it has been made apparent it won’t, which is really upsetting.”
Sheppard said she hopes things will pan out okay, under the leadership of President Biden. Sheppard said, “I hope that with Joe Biden as president the country becomes more united. It’s been a very tumultuous four years, I really hope everything calms down a bit.”
Republican, junior Jax Whaley said he sees no issue with the election, but isn’t sure about the 46th president’s capabilities in the long run. Whaley said, “Biden being sworn in was fair, there was no proof of voter fraud. His first 100 days will be okay, but long term no.”
Republican, junior Ana Toras said she thinks the nation will stay divided throughout the next four years. Toras said, “I feel like it will be a 50/50 sort of deal. I believe that there will be a lot of people upset with his choices and others that are happy. It’s really hard to say, considering I don’t agree with what he has to say.”
Republican, sophomore Kail Michael said he’s worried about how Washington will act overall, now that Congress is also Democratic majority. Michael said, “I am concerned with Biden being our new president now that they have the House and Senate. Republicans won’t be heard.”
Each party supports their candidate for their beliefs and what they think is right. The people vote on which party leader they believe aligns with them the best. Stidham said, “I support Biden because I agree with his plan for allowing every American to get affordable health care and his plan to advocate for LGBTQ plus equality in America and much more. Overall, I support him because I align with his views on how to better America.”
Whaley said, “I will support whoever is in office, even if it’s not who I wanted. It’s the respectful thing to do as a citizen.” Americans also have the freedom to peacefully express their dislike with those in power, something the Founding Fathers solidified with the first amendment.
Toras said, “I support Trump because of his morals and what he believes in. He is for the American people and for America itself and I support that.” Similarly, Michael said, “I don’t support Trump over Biden but I support the conservatives policies that they stand for. I don’t like what the Democrats stand for and the policies they follow.”
In these unprecedented times, what lies ahead is never certain, but Sheppard said she’s thinking positively. Sheppard said, “… These next four years will hopefully change this country for the better now that Democrats have the House and Senate, and it will be interesting to see what Biden can do.”
