Joe Biden is sworn in on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, January 20, 2021. -

Saul Loeb / AP / SIPA

“Democracy is precious, democracy is fragile, but democracy has survived.

“Wednesday at noon (6 pm Paris time), Joe Biden was sworn in on the steps of the Capitol stormed 15 days earlier by supporters of Donald Trump.

In a serious twenty-minute speech, the 46th President of the United States called on America for "unity" in the face of "political extremism, white supremacy and domestic terrorism".

And he recognized it, in a country deeply divided, "the battle will be at all times."

Joe Biden recalled that, with 400,000 dead in the United States, the coronavirus "has claimed more lives in one year than America lost in World War II."

And on January 6, "violence shook the foundations of the Capitol and democracy.

To put an end to this "

 uncivil war

 ", Joe Biden has no magic recipe.

He has repeated his call for unity twelve times, but is aware that it will take "more than words".

"The United States is back"

He promised he will be "the president of all Americans," and called on everyone to show empathy and tolerance.

The speech of this fervent Catholic, who took an oath on a thick family bible from the 19th century, sometimes took on the appearance of preaching, especially when he spoke of Saint Augustine and that he promised to be "guided by [his ] faith ”.

He was generally well received, especially by those in a hurry to turn the Trump page like Mitt Romney.

Around the world, many leaders sent their congratulations: "The United States is back, and Europe is ready," wrote Ursula von de Leyen.

Emmanuel Macron, he hailed the return of the United States to the Paris agreement, which Joe Biden must formalize with one of his first decrees.

Kamala Harris, Senior Vice-President

A few minutes before him, Kamala Harris was sworn in against Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic judge of the Supreme Court.

“We have the first female vice-president, don't tell me that nothing can change,” said Joe Biden.

A change also symbolized by Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet of a nomination, who marveled at being "a black girl descending from slavery who can today dream of becoming president".

Alongside Barack Obama, George Bush and Bill Clinton, Joe Biden then laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington Cemetery.

The big absentee was Donald Trump, who returned to Florida.

Some will never change.

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