January 20th will be a special and unusual day for Washington. DC, which has always been the scene of the Executive’s transfers of power, has more military presence than Afghanistan and Iraq. It will be the day that Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, a country to which he promises to “turn the page”.
In the United States capital, there is a tense calm atmosphere. There are warnings of potential protests throughout the country. However, a strong security mechanism is expected in Washington and in the capitals of the 50 states. The goal is to prevent further violence.
Joe Biden has not given up on his aspiration to help his fellow countrymen reunite. With his speech he will encourage “to turn the page to the divisions”. He will convey an “optimistic” vision of the future of a nation in the midst of a political and public health crisis. This will happen in a country that is on high alert. The FBI has foreseen “armed protests” and the action of an “internal enemy.
A special and unusual day
Providence has given Joe Biden an enormous challenge. He will assume power at the most secure inauguration ceremony in American history. The damage to democracy received after the assault on the Capitol is still fresh. Radical supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump have not given up.
In addition, the Pennsylvanian will take over the reins of the country that has been hardest hit by the pandemic in the world in absolute terms. The United States is close to 400,000 deaths from COVID-19. In addition, millions of people need urgent help to pay their bills or keep their businesses afloat.
You can read: Pennsylvania is getting ready to face armed protests
Biden will use his first speech as president to try to “turn the page” on the divisions and hatred of the past four years. He wants to present a positive and optimistic view of the country and show a path that truly asks everyone to work together.
Polarization: The 21st Century Pandemic
The Scranton born will not have it easy from the Oval Office. That polarization is reflected in a survey published Sunday by The Washington Post and ABC News. The poll points out that 49 percent of Americans believe Biden will make the right decisions for the country, while 50 percent think otherwise.
This national mood makes January 20th both special and unusual. The percentage that trusts Biden is far higher than the 38% of Americans who felt the same way about Trump when he came to power in 2017, but far lower than the 61% who believed in the decisions of former President Barack Obama before his inauguration in 2009.
However, not all of this is so bad. The survey also shows that 67% approve the way Biden has managed the transition. That´s far more than the 40% who said the same about Trump and less than the 80% who said the same about Obama.
Translated by: José Espinoza