On this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the Capitol's very foundation
we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible to carry out the peaceful
transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries.
We'll press forward with speed and urgency for we have much to do.
in this winter of peril and significant possibilities.
Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain.
Few people in our nation's history have been more challenged
or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we're in now.
Once in a century virus that silently stalks the country has taken as many lives in one year
as America lost in all of World War II.
Millions of jobs have been lost, hundreds of thousands of businesses closed.
A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us.
The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer.
A cry for survival comes from planet itself.
A cry that can't be any more desperate or any more clear and now a rise of political extremism,
white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront and we will defeat.
To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America
requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy,
Unity, unity.
Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this. Bringing America together,
uniting our people, uniting our nation and I ask every American to join me in this cause.
i know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days
I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real but I also know they are not new.
Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we're all are created equal
and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization, have long torn us apart.
The battle is perennial and victory is never assured. Through the civil war, the great depression,
world war, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice and setbacks, our better angels have always prevailed.
In each of these moments enough of us, enough of us have come together to carry all of us forward
and we can do that now. History faith and reason show the way. The way of unity.
We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbours.
We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces stop the shouting and lower the temperature.
For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury.
No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos.
This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge
and unity is the path forward and we must meet this moment as the United States of America
Politics doesn't have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path.
Every disagreement doesn't have to be a cause for total war
and we must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured.
Here we stand looking out on the Great Mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream. Here we stand
where 108 years ago at another inauguration, thousands of protesters tried to block brave women marching
for the right to vote and today we mark the swearing-in of the first woman in American history
elected to national office, vice-president Kamala Harris. Don't tell me things can't change.
And I pledge this to you. I will be a President for all Americans. All Americans.
And I promise you I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.
We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue,
rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal.
We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.
If we show a little tolerance and humility.
We're entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus.
We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation. One nation.
And I promise you this, as the Bible says, "Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning."
We will get through this together, together.
Look folks all my colleagues I serve with in the House and the Senate up here,
we all understand the world is watching. Watching all of us today.
So here's my message to those beyond our borders.
America has been tested and we've come out stronger for it.
We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.
Not to meet yesterday's challenges but today's and tomorrow's challenges.
And will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.
We'll be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress and security.
Look, you all know we've been through so much in this nation
and my first act as President I'd like to ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer.
Remember all those who we lost in this past year to the pandemic.
Those 400,000 fellow Americans.
Moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends, neighbours and co-workers.
We'll honour them by becoming the people and the nation we know we can and should be.
So I ask you, let's say a silent prayer for those who've lost their lives and those left behind and for our country.