It’s official. The Trump presidency is over. The Biden presidency is here. Here are a few thoughts, with the help of my Twitter feed, on today’s inauguration ceremony:
I began the day with a reminder. It’s been a long four years chronicling Trump and the evangelical response to his presidency. Thanks for joining me on the journey:
There were some snow flurries today in Washington D.C. Perhaps Minnesota Senator Klobuchar, who was one of the major organizers of the ceremony, brought the flurries with her:
Did you notice Biden’s massive Bible?
Bernie seemed to be enjoying himself:
So was Biden’s Secretary of Treasury nominee Janet Yellen:
Lady Gaga was amazing. Since I tweeted this I have learned that the bird on her outfit was actually a dove carrying a olive branch.
The first Latina swears-in the first female, African American, and South Asian-American vice president:
My friend Scott Hancock tweeted seconds after Harris was sworn-in:
Biden was inaugurated at 11:48 AM EST. Twelve minutes too early:
Echoes of Langston Hughes:
What a difference four years make:
This was telling:
Biden comes into office after four years of lies:
Biden quoted St. Augustine:
Presidential historian Jon Meacham, who helped to write Biden’s speech, has been using this Augustine quote for several years:
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” This has a ring of Reagan’s “morning in America“:
Biden asked for a moment of silent prayer for COVID-19 victims:
Apparently this is not the first prayer in a presidential inaugural address.
Here is Eisenhower in 1953:
What shall be our legacy?
What will our children say?
Let them say of me I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my hear
tWhen my days are through
America
America
I gave my best to you
Hope over fear. I’ve heard that before:
A general take on Biden’s speech:
Poet Amanda Gordon stole the show:
Then Missouri senator Roy Blunt came back on stage:
Inauguration days are days for civil religion:
I finished it this afternoon. Also got in that nap:
Biden was ready to go on day 1:
