Lexi Schnaser—Staff Writer

The morning dawned over Washington D.C. with a blue sky and crisp air. It was the day America would peacefully transition to a new presidential administration.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021 marked the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

After the attack on the Capitol on January 6 came a wide range of concerns about the security of the inauguration. In the days before the event, the FBI vetted all 25,000 National Guard members who were stationed in the nation’s capital on the day of inauguration to boost security efforts. 12 National Guard members were removed from the detail—some due to extremist statements they had made online.

All in all, the event went off without a hitch. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris became the President and Vice President of the United States around 11 AM Central Time.

Aside from Bernie Sanders’ mittens and Bill Clinton nodding off during Biden’s address, more powerful moments of the inauguration included Amanda Gorman’s inspiring poetry and President Biden’s words of strength and unity. Kamala Harris became the first woman to hold national office when sworn in, as well as the first African American woman and South Asian woman to hold the vice president position.

Biden’s address noted significant struggles for American people such as job loss, the pandemic, racism, domestic terrorism, and climate change, The president said he is putting his “whole soul” into “bringing America together, uniting our people, and uniting our nation.”

“Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path,” President Biden said. 

He has promised to be a president that will support all Americans, including those who did not vote for him.

Trey Engen, a junior political science major, recognizes the impact the last few months have had on the nation.

“This election was chaotic and messy,” Engen said. “My hope is that the newly appointed Biden administration can work towards unity in this deeply divided nation.”

Dordt University students understand the implications the 2020 election and the new administration have and will continue to have on their lives.

“In theology lunch last Wednesday, we were talking about the inauguration and Dr. Bailey emphasized how he wishes this presidency will be a boring one. I agree with what he said in that I hope the news won’t constantly be filled with the dynamic and controversial decisions,” said Kara Jasper, a theology and community development major. “I think that biblical leadership is more about addressing the small and mundane parts of life that affect the cause and not just the symptoms of the problem.”

As Americans move into the coming years of the Biden administration, they must continue to hold him and other elected officials accountable, as they have done since the founding of this nation. After the disunity of the past months, politicians and constituents across the aisle will be anxious to see if Biden and his administration will be able to follow through on their promises.