President Joe Biden was officially sworn in as the 46th commander in chief Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C. And Vice President Kamala Harris made history as the nation’s first female vice president.
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt chaired the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies which was responsible for the planning of the ceremonies for the new administration.
“The freedoms we have today, the nation we live in today, didn’t just happen, and they aren’t complete. A great democracy, working through the successes and failures of our history, striving to be better than it had been,” Blunt said in a speech during the swearing-in.
Here’s a look at how some of Missouri’s elected officials responded to the historic day.
“The dawn has come and hope springs eternal. Congratulations to President [Biden] and Vice President [Harris],” U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver said.
The dawn has come and hope springs eternal.
Congratulations to President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris!
— Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (@repcleaver) January 20, 2021
“Congratulations on making history, Madam Vice President [Harris]. I’m excited to partner with you and President [Biden] to get our communities the help we need,” U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush said.
“My prayers and best wishes are with President Biden and Vice President Harris as they begin their administration,” U.S. Congresswoman Ann Wagner said. “Seeing another peaceful transition of power today in our nation’s capital is a reminder of our Democracy’s resilience and the grace God has shed upon our country.”
My prayers and best wishes are with President Biden and Vice President Harris as they begin their administration. Seeing another peaceful transition of power today in our nation's capital is a reminder of our Democracy’s resilience and the grace God has shed upon our country.
— Ann Wagner (@RepAnnWagner) January 20, 2021
“With each new president, our nation comes together to celebrate an American tradition — the peaceful transition of power. The 2021 inauguration is no different,” U.S. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler said. “President Biden has vowed to work for all Americans, and I will hold him to that promise. I congratulate him on today’s inauguration and look forward to finding common ground during his time in the White House while advancing the ideas of my district.”
She also praised former President Donald Trump, saying he “achieved much during his term in office.”
U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer also praised the former president in a social media post.
“Historic economic success, a strengthened military, peace in the Middle East, a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, and so much more. Thank you for your service, Mr. President,” he said.
Historic economic success, a strengthened military, peace in the Middle East, a COVID-19 vaccine in record time and so much more.
Thank you for your service, Mr. President. https://t.co/FbTxNtbVsZ
— Blaine Luetkemeyer (@RepBlaine) January 20, 2021
“Congratulations to [Biden] and [Harris] on officially being sworn in today. This nation is the greatest in the history of the world because, among a long list of other things, this day happens every four years,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden said. “Our republic has endured glorious highs, painful lows, and a whole host of things in between. I will pray for this administration and I will pray for this great country! It isn’t perfect, but it’s worth fighting for.”
Congratulation to @POTUS and @VP on officially being sworn in today. This nation is the greatest in the history of the world because, among a long list of other things, this day happens every four years. 1/2
— Caleb Rowden (@calebrowden) January 20, 2021
“Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris,” House Speaker Rob Vescovo said. “Their success is important to our country. I truly wish them the best.”
https://twitter.com/RobVescovo/status/1351946838631440384
Rep. LaKeySha Bosley shared a photo of Harris and former President Barack Obama tapping fists from the inauguration on social media.
“As a black woman, this picture and the unspoken grace, respect, and encouragement between these two have me in tears,” Bosley said. “This image is Maya Angelou’s ‘STILL I RISE’ realized on so many levels.”
This is the one!
As a black woman this picture and the unspoken grace, respect, and encouragement between these two have me in tears.
This image is Maya Angelou’s words ‘STILL I RISE’ realized on so many levels. President @BarackObama and Vice President @KamalaHarris #MOLeg pic.twitter.com/9BIJwdj8xi
— Rep. LaKeySha Bosley (@TeamBosleyMO79) January 20, 2021
“Democracy has prevailed,” Rep. Keri Ingle said.
Democracy has prevailed.
— Keri Ingle (@RepKeriIngle) January 20, 2021
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas attended the ceremony in Washington, D.C.
“The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of our democracy. Proud to represent Kansas City here today,” Lucas said while sharing a pair of photos from the occasion.
The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of our democracy.
Proud to represent Kansas City here today. #Inauguration2021 pic.twitter.com/8ZJDR8iVMX
— Mayor Quinton Lucas (@MayorLucasKC) January 20, 2021
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson offered congratulations for Biden and Harris on Twitter.
“Today we turn the page on a divisive chapter of our nation’s history and begin what I hope is a new era of healing and inclusion,” she said. “There’s more that unites us as Americans than divides us.”
Happy #InaugurationDay & congrats President @JoeBiden & Madame Vice-President @KamalaHarris!
Today we turn the page on a divisive chapter of our nation’s history and begin what I hope is a new era of healing and inclusion. There’s more that unites us as Americans than divides us
— Lyda Krewson (@LydaKrewson) January 20, 2021
This story has been updated.
Kaitlyn Schallhorn was the editor in chief of The Missouri Times from 2020-2022. She joined the newspaper in early 2019 after working as a reporter for Fox News in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
She is a native of Missouri who studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is also an alumna of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com.
