A year like no other. An election like no other. An inauguration like no other. This past year has been one of great change, and this eventually affected our country’s Democratic processes and traditions.
President Biden embraced this change with grace with an inauguration ceremony and celebration fitting the reality of the ever persisting coronavirus pandemic. Following the attempted insurrection of the United States Capitol just a week before Inauguration, President Biden called for unity and urged Americans not to give up hope and to keep holding on. In his inaugural address, he outlined a number of hot button issues that continue to affect our country today, including racial inequity, the climate crisis, and the raging virus.
It is generally said that the first 100 days of a President’s term will demonstrate whether or not they will be successful within their full term. This term was coined in 1933 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, after using the term in a radio address to the nation. Similar to the current state of our nation with the everlasting effects of the pandemic, the country in 1933 was four years into the Great Depression.
As the pandemic rages on and we head into a new year, Americans look toward President Biden to get the country out of this reality and make significant changes, especially within his first 100 days. Throughout his Presidential campaign, Biden made many promises and statements of what he would accomplish if elected. This continued when he was elected in November and more and more was outlined of what would be done as soon as he took office in January.
Not to much surprise, but rather expectation, President Biden delivered on many of these promises within not just the first 100 days, but the very first day of his Presidency. The rest of the week mirrored this, and he continues to sign many executive orders that change orders from the previous administration and that also promote change and equality in general.
Immediately on January 20th, President Biden signed an order to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement - a huge step in the fight against the current climate crisis. Biden also signed executive orders to exercise the Defense Protection Act to ramp PPE and vaccine production, expand testing and treatment, mount a comprehensive vaccination campaign, safely reopen schools, businesses, and travel, and address racial and other disparities - especially in regards to COVID impact and care. Additionally, some major action was taken with the United States re-engaging with the World Health Organization, the launching of the federal initiative to advance racial equity nationwide, new introduced immigration bill, strengthened consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals, and after 10 months of a pandemic, a federal mask mandate. President Biden also took executive action to lift the transgender military ban and the Muslim ban - both which had been put in place by the previous Trump administration.
President Joe Biden’s immediate action taken is impressive and signals that major change is to come within these next few years. More action continues to be taken as time passes, and it will be interesting to see all of what is accomplished within Biden’s true 100 days.
More information about Biden’s policies and executive actions taken can be found at https://www.whitehouse.gov/
Photo #1: Transcript: President Joe Biden's inauguration speech in full
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