"I will be the president of all Americans": Joe Biden calls America for unity
Joe Biden, during his speech following his swearing-in as the 46th President of the United States, January 20, 2021. AP - Patrick Semansky
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
"I know that the forces that divide us are deep and real," said Joe Biden in his first speech as the 46th President of the United States, before increasing calls for unity.
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"
Democracy is precious, democracy is fragile, and today my friends, democracy has won,
" said Joe Biden during his inauguration speech, multiplying calls for unity.
In a twenty-minute speech,
the 46th President of the United States
also promised to be "
the president of all Americans
."
Regarding
the fight against Covid-19, which has killed more than 400,000
in the United States,
the president
asked the Americans to put aside their differences to face the "
dark winter
" which is coming and the "
phase la most severe and deadly
”of the pandemic.
"
We must stop this very little civil war
"
On the political side, Joe Biden tried to renew the links between two divided Americas.
“
The solution is not to fold in on oneself.
We must stop this very little civil war between the Reds and the Blues,
”he declared.
Symbol of this division,
outgoing President Donald Trump
, who did not participate in the handover of power and refused to concede defeat for several months after the election was not mentioned once during the ceremony.
The transition between the Trump administration and Biden was notably marked by historical excesses, such as the invasion of the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump on January 6.
Faced with these dissensions which undermine American society, Joe Biden urged citizens "
to start working together again, to hear us, to respect us
".
“
Political life does not need to be a fire that destroys everything in its path,
” he said.
"
With unity, we can do great things
"
Still without naming his predecessor, the new president called on the Americans to reject the manipulation of facts, in reference to Donald Trump who has repeatedly denounced ballot fraud without providing any evidence.
“
Not all disagreements should lead to all-out war.
(…) There is the truth and there are the lies, the lies spoken for power and for profit.
And each of us has the duty and the responsibility, as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders, (...) to defend the truth and to fight the lies,
”he said. added.
Joe Biden has also displayed his willingness to "
defeat
" "
white supremacism
" and "
domestic terrorism
".
"
With unity we can do great things, defeat this virus, fight racial injustice and make the United States once again a force for good in the world,
" proclaimed the one who, early this morning hailed "
a new day
" for America.
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