Dr Georg Löfflmann of the Department of Politics and International Relations reflects as the United States marks the inauguration of Joe Biden as President.

Dr Löfflmann comments: "A dignified and inspiring inauguration ceremony, featuring contributions by Lady Gaga, Garth Brooks, Jennifer Lopez and the stirring words by the only 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman sent a powerful message of unity and hope to a nation in the grip of the Coronavirus pandemic and economic crisis, and still reeling from the recent insurrection at the Capitol. At his inaugural address, President Biden called on Americans to end their un-civil war and to not treat political opponents as mortal enemies. Biden vowed to defend democracy and the Constitution at all cost and stressed the vital importance of facts and truth for the functioning of a liberal and democratic society. Without ever mentioning his predecessor by name, Biden's speech was a clear repudiation of the nationalist populism of Donald Trump and a presidency that mobilized the rhetoric of fear and resentment, sowing internal division at every turn. The first executive orders Biden signed while in office, which among other things saw the United States rejoin the Paris climate agreement and World Health Organization (WHO), signalled to the world that America was back and ready to lead again in concert with its allies and partners, ending the era of 'America First.' But as Senator Ted Cruz's criticism of Biden's decision to rejoin the Paris agreement makes clear, the forces of right-wing populism and nativism have not disappeared with Donald Trump, and the task ahead of President Biden to bring together a divided nation is immense."

21 January 2021

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