China News Service, Washington, January 20th, title: Biden's inauguration: a transfer of power that lacks overlap

　　China News Agency reporter Chen Mengtong

　　At about 11:50 on January 20, when the 46th US President Biden was sworn in in Washington, the 45th President Trump’s special plane landed in Florida at almost the same time.

　　Although the United States does not expressly stipulate that the outgoing president must participate in the inauguration of the new president, the joint appearance of the two parties has always been regarded as a symbol of political unity and the peaceful transfer of power.

Trump's "absence" was the first time this political tradition was broken in more than 150 years. He also became the fourth outgoing president in American history to miss the inauguration of his successor.

On January 20, 2021, local time, Washington, United States, Trump left the White House early. He and his wife Melania took the "Marine Corps One" presidential helicopter to Andrews Air Force Base.

　　Trump never admitted to losing the election, nor did he congratulate Biden.

At about 8:15 on the 20th, he and his wife Melania walked out of the White House. After a brief exchange with reporters, they left early by helicopter.

　　Trump then delivered a farewell speech at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

He wished the new government "good luck" and said that "we will return in some form."

　　Affected by the new crown epidemic and the congressional shock event, Biden's inauguration has shrunk dramatically, and Washington, the capital, is heavily guarded.

The downtown area of ​​Washington is separated by iron fences, concrete barriers, trucks, etc.

There are more police and national guards on the streets than pedestrians.

　　A reporter from China News Agency saw on Capitol Hill that the police had set up a three-layer security circle with the Capitol as the center.

Each floor is separated by iron fences, and the National Guard members form a human wall, fully armed and highly guarded.

According to the Pentagon, about 25,000 National Guard members participated in the security work of the inauguration that day.

　　"A few days ago, violence tried to shake the foundation of Congress, but today we are here together to achieve a peaceful transfer of power." Biden said in his inauguration speech.

At noon on January 20, local time, Biden, a Democrat and President-elect of the United States, was formally sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on Capitol Hill.

　　Just as Trump did not mention Biden in his farewell speech, Biden did not name Trump in his inauguration speech.

He said, “The last few weeks and months have taught us painful lessons. There are truths and lies. Those lies are based on power and interest.”

　　Biden emphasized that every American, especially leaders, has the responsibility and obligation to "defend the truth and crush lies."

　　Former US President Obama, Bush Jr. and Clinton attended the inauguration ceremony that day.

Among the Republicans, former Vice President Pence, Senate Minority Leader McConnell, and House Minority Leader McCarthy were all present.

The guests attending the ceremony all wore masks, and their seats kept social distance.

In the center of the National Mall, the crowds that should have been crowded to watch the ceremony were replaced by nearly 200,000 flags.

　　In his 20-minute speech, Biden repeatedly called on the United States to be united.

He said that the current United States "may be more difficult than at any time in history", facing the unprecedented new crown epidemic, economic crisis and ethnic crisis caused by the epidemic, and the way out for these crises and challenges is "only unity."

　　The "intersection" of interaction between the new president and the people after he took office was also reduced to a minimum.

In previous years, the grand Pennsylvania Avenue parade was changed to be held online.

Biden's walk into the White House was shortened to only about 15 minutes.

There were almost no people watching the ceremony along the way.

　　In the afternoon, Biden arrived at the White House and began to perform his duties.

He revealed to reporters in the Oval Office that Trump wrote him a "very generous" letter.

But until he has the opportunity to talk to the former president, he will not share it with others.

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