President Joe Biden signed 17 executive orders

In his first order after taking the oath of his office on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden removed the travel ban on some Muslim and African nations placed by his predecessor Donald Trump.

Biden returned to the White House late on Wednesday afternoon from the swearing-in ceremony, laying a wreath on the grave of the unknown soldier in Arlington and inspecting a parade.

And right away he started signing the orders that sweep aside Trump’s pandemic response and reverse his environmental agenda and anti-immigration policies. He also took steps to boost the American economy and promote ethnic and religious diversity across the nation.

In one afternoon, Biden signed 17 executive orders, memorandums, and proclamations from the Oval Office, including orders to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and end the Muslim ban.

In a tweet from the official Twitter account for the US president, Biden simply said: “We’re back in the Paris Climate Agreement.”

We’re back in the Paris Climate Agreement.

— President Biden (@POTUS) January 21, 2021

Meanwhile, Biden’s point-man for fighting the pandemic, Jeff Zients, said the US would also rejoin the World Health Organisation, reversing his predecessor’s decision. He added that top US expert Anthony Fauci would lead a delegation to the WHO executive board meeting on Thursday.

While efforts aimed at ending his legacy may hurt Trump, the coup de grâce came from a 22-year-old poet, Amanda Gorman whose words rekindled the hope for a better future in millions of hearts across the globe.

“We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it; would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy; and this effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can be periodically delayed; it can never be permanently defeated,” said Gorman while referring to the Jan 6 mob attack on the US capitol.

The Hill We Climb poem

“For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it if only we’re brave enough to be it,” said the young poet while reciting her poem “The Hill We Climb”.

Gorman, the youngest person ever to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration; delivered her piece with grace, the words it contained will resonate with people the world over: Today, tomorrow; and far into the future.

In the poem, Gorman described herself as “a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother [who] can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one”.

Every time it is recited, it will also remind people of the attack on the Capitol earlier in January, that former president Trump instigated, which almost derailed American democracy.

Hillary Clinton

As Gorman finished her poem, four US presidents and first ladies; two former vice presidents and their spouses, dozens of lawmakers; and scores of diplomats gave her a standing ovation, some struggling to hide their tears.

Wasn’t @TheAmandaGorman’s poem just stunning? She’s promised to run for president in 2036 and I for one can’t wait. pic.twitter.com/rahEClc6k2

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 20, 2021

“Wasn’t the Amanda Gorman poem just stunning?” asked Hillary Clinton in a tweet she posted along with a picture with the young poet. “She’s promised to run for president in 2036 and I for one can’t wait.”

“With her strong and poignant words, Amanda Gorman reminds us of the power we each hold in upholding our democracy,” wrote Michelle Obama. “Keep shining, Amanda! I can’t wait to see what you do next!”

Biden, who spoke before Gorman, also offered hope and reassurance. Biden also led a moment of silence for the lives lost to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A once-in-a-century virus that silently stalks the country. It’s 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,” he said.

The 78-year-old politician made history as the oldest person to ever be elected as the American president. Momentous, as his swearing-in was, particularly after the attack on the US Capitol; the other oath, that of Vice President Kamala Harris, was even more significant.

She stepped into history as the first woman, the first African American; and the first South Asian vice president of the United States. The oath was administered by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latin American judge of the US Supreme Court.

As Vice President Harris struggled to control her tears, her sister Maya did not. She broke into tears as Kamala said after the judge: “So, help me, God.”

Biden took the oath on a five-inch-thick Bible that has been in his family for 128 years, swearing to “preserve; protect and defend the Constitution”.