With the recitation of the oath of office, Joseph R. Biden Jr. became of the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris became the first woman Vice President on Wednesday, offering hope to a nation that desperately needs it after four years of abuse.

Blue skies and bright sunshine graced the inauguration ceremony that America has waited for what seems like several lifetimes to witness. But it happened, and it was both rewarding and inspirational to hear compassion and sanity from a president again.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts, who presided over the oath that George Washington took in 1789. Upon reciting the oath, Biden became president, a real president this nation has sorely needed for four years.

Prior to that moment, Harris took the oath administered by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, breaking a glass ceiling that had been in place since the beginning of our country’s history, a moment that was long overdue.

Biden’s speech differed tremendously from Trump’s “American carnage” address in 2017 that ended up describing the last four years. Biden articulately and powerfully spoke from the heart as he noted that democracy survived the Capitol insurrection that occurred two weeks ago.

“Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire, destroying everything in its path,” Biden said without even saying Trump’s name. “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.”

“Democracy has prevailed,” Biden declared. “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. To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America, requires so much more than words and requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity.”

Biden observed that change is possible and pointed to his vice president as proof. At the conclusion, Biden made it clear that he will do what Trump never did. He will defend democracy, he will not shrink from the challenges our nation faces, and he will be as honest with the American people as he can be. His soul in in this effort. Trump could have been this kind of president, but he failed.

Now America can watch a real president show us the true definition of leadership as Biden works to truly make our country great again.

Featured Image: Screenshot