President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House on Wednesday. Photo: AP pool
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'We must end this uncivil war,' Biden says, taking over a U.S. in crisis

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By Trevor Hunnicutt, Patricia Zengerle and Jarrett Renshaw

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 Capitol siege when Trump backers breached the building, 

Trump's extreme right wing ultra nationalists and other white supremacists remain the greatest obstacle to unity and the greatest threat to American security.

5 ( +29 / -24 )

He sent a strong message to his "allies" today when he put his full effort into killing off thousands of good paying jobs in Canada.

-16 ( +19 / -35 )

Good luck to all. Except the egomaniacal buffoon who just flew south. The U.S. has some serious healing to do, and I hope the scars aren't too deep.

10 ( +26 / -16 )

housands of good paying jobs in Canada

Long passed time to move away from the fossil era. That pipeline is already a relic.

15 ( +31 / -16 )

Today was a day to feel good, to hope that the dream that is America, and the ideals it has espoused and says it was founded on, have not gone down the path into the night.

Tomorrow the hard work starts, as the brass bands get put away, and the flags get picked up off the lawns. Tomorrow is the day that we must work to bring the nation back onto course. To clean up the mess left over the past four years, and to bear with the burdens placed upon our shoulders for far too long by far too many of us.

Let us have faith that tomorrow, we can do the work.

2 ( +19 / -17 )

The truly sad part of the incoming administration and its followers is that some or many of them actually believe the utopian unreality that is the far left and socialism.

-16 ( +22 / -38 )

@PTownsend

There are 37,000 miles of piplines under construction in the US. The Keystone pipeline expansion that he killed is around 1,500 miles.

US allies need to watch their backs.

-12 ( +17 / -29 )

US allies need to watch their backs.

That’s been made extremely clear during the last four years.

6 ( +23 / -17 )

The truly sad part of the incoming administration and its followers is that some or many of them actually believe the utopian unreality that is the far left and socialism.

The far right are all good though- except for the attempted coup, domestic terrorism and racism of course.

If you think that the Biden agenda is 'far left and socialism', your problems run deeper than your persecution complex.

14 ( +30 / -16 )

Finally after 4 loooong years I don't have to be embarrassed by my country. Alot of repairing to do both domestically and internationally but at least I can sleep at night now knowing that the country has a government that is going to have actual policies to tackle the pandemic and it's economic fallout.

But just as much as looking and moving forward is the priority, we must ensure that the ugly rasicist ignorant side of America that was empowered by the 45th president never poses a threat to the country again. And for God's sake, let's take the firearms out of these moron's hands. These people are terrorists. Nothing less.

Having been a Republican my whole life I honestly want to see Trump convicted in the Senate so ensure he never rises to this level of power again. Ever. And those GOP sycophants who enabled his attack on Democracy through the big lie Nov 3-Jan 20 need to have their political careers destroyed.

We have a long way to go...but finally time to MAGA!!!

3 ( +22 / -19 )

Lady Gaga sang better than I expected.

A big challenge to the Biden administration might come from left wings within the Democratic party.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

@Haaa Nemui

Nothing new. USA first has been the policy of every US government in my lifetime and I would not expect anything different from Biden. Watch out Japan, Biden will not be any easier to deal with than Trump.

-12 ( +9 / -21 )

46th Presidency

2 ( +11 / -9 )

Come on downvoters, this is a Japanese site, tell me how Biden will be better for Japan than Trump or Obama or Bush, or Clinton, or Bush? Oh, Biden wants to join TPP, eh? You think he will just roll over and sign onto the existing agreement or make demands that favour the US?

-9 ( +14 / -23 )

Nothing new. USA first has been the policy of every US government in my lifetime and I would not expect anything different from Biden. 

You’re quite correct, but it has been made much clearer in the last four years. Perhaps a better statement would be:

“US allies will still need to watch their backs.”

11 ( +16 / -5 )

@Haaa Nemui

Yes, thank you, that is better wording.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

@memoryfix

Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I understand it. 

George Orwell

11 ( +12 / -1 )

He sent a strong message to his "allies" today when he put his full effort into killing off thousands of good paying jobs in Canada.

Those were short term construction jobs. Building something that isn’t needed and would just worsen the climate crisis his predecessor wasted four years doing nothing about.

I’m glad he did it. And I’m Canadian.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

proxyToday  07:07 am JST

Come on downvoters, this is a Japanese site, tell me how Biden will be better for Japan than Trump or Obama or Bush, or Clinton, or Bush?

We are replacing an unpredictable isolationist inexperienced president with one who has experience and understands the importance of alliances. This restores U.S. credibility which is better for all US allies. Not so much for our adversaries.

5 ( +17 / -12 )

Sanity restored.

2 ( +18 / -16 )

....a new day for America. You used to be a cool place, Biden gives hope you can get your mojo back.

Just waking up with no Trump outrages is already a breath of fresh air as Biden begins erasing all his damage.

5 ( +17 / -12 )

Good riddance!

Now let us celebrate President Biden's victory, good over evil, and work towards uniting our country again.

2 ( +19 / -17 )

oldman_13

What a joke. You wouldn’t have given Biden the time of day a year ago. Now you have to pretend you like him and celebrate him. Awful.

-1 ( +16 / -17 )

He’s got his work cut out, but I’m confident he’ll be holding a pen more than a putter.

2 ( +14 / -12 )

You wouldn’t have given Biden the time of day a year ago. Now you have to pretend you like him and celebrate him.

Count me in on that. Biden is far too centrist for me.

But when the choice was between a centrist and an ultra right authoritarian wannabe who was damaging the US and undermining democratic principles around the globe, I voted against Trump. Still, I wish Biden and team best of luck. Undoing the damage Trump has done requires a Herculean effort.

2 ( +14 / -12 )

Congratulations to Biden and Harris. Finally, after 4 years, the US does not have the entire world pointing and laughing. Getting the nation out of the Covid and economic trainwreck it is in will take years, but at least they have a chance now.

Truly heartwarming to see the triggered far-right on here! I hope they enjoyed Lady Gagas wonderful rendition of Star Spangled Banner! It was great!

8 ( +18 / -10 )

But when the choice was between a centrist and an ultra right authoritarian wannabe who was damaging the US and undermining democratic principles around the globe, I voted against Trump. Still, I wish Biden and team best of luck. Undoing the damage Trump has done requires a Herculean effort.

Exactly. You don’t have to like somebody for them to be better than the alternative. In this case, much, much better.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

I would take anyone over trump just to get him off TV on a daily basis and out of our lives. We do not need trump to say I love you or anything. Just go away.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

Still waiting for someone to tell me how Biden will be good for Japan.

-5 ( +13 / -18 )

Hypocrite.

Starts his term with an impeachment.

-9 ( +11 / -20 )

I've been munching on my popcorn for four years at the insanity that has gripped the USA. It's now finally time to put it down.

5 ( +15 / -10 )

Still waiting for someone to tell me how Biden will be good for Japan.

I don't see how it would be bad for Japan, but frankly, Japan is probably not top of his agenda.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

The entire democratic world says "Welcome back America."

2 ( +14 / -12 )

proxyToday  07:07 am JST

Come on downvoters, this is a Japanese site, tell me how Biden will be better for Japan...

And this is a story about US politics in the world news section. Japan has nothing to do with it.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

@Simon Foston

I guess that means that on a Japanese website, you cannot actually offer anything related to Japan.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Congratulations America on ending racism ;)

-9 ( +7 / -16 )

Is it finally over? Been a long 4 years. Here's to hoping respect, honor, dignity, and grace return to the White House.

3 ( +14 / -11 )

I woke up this morning and smelled the coffee after the wine of last night's celebration, feeling fresh like I had taken my first shower in five long years. It'll still take some time to remove all the rancid orange grime that has accumulated, but the 46th got off to a good start, not wasting any time in the challenging task of draining the swamp that we've all had to wallow in. Now I just pray Biden doesn't get too cozy with his pals on K Street and Wall St. and throw cold water on our hopes for a new deal for the frustrated millions who voted for him and, for the even more angry, frustrated millions who didn't.

3 ( +13 / -10 )

proxy

He sent a strong message to his "allies" today when he put his full effort into killing off thousands of good paying jobs in Canada.

Well he is just reinstating the ban on the Keystone project that Obama had put on there in the first place. Blame Trump for giving them false hope by removing the ban. The climate is far more important than a few fossil fuel jobs.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

Congratulations to Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, the USA, the world and us.

Many rather insane people will criticize this administration before it gets going because they are against the most scientific, intelligent and moral of things like less racism, less or no guns, more education, lessen global warming, less domestic terror against our constitution, reading and comprehending the constitution, fighting COVID-19 and just being fair to people with empathy.

The critical thinking era begins, while the lying alternative (false) narrative era lessens.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

My basic conspiracy theory:

Someone (thing) wants to make sure the left and right can never make peace again. In other words, irreparably broken.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Stock market hit a new high today. Odd, since Trump and the GOP claimed it would collapse if Biden were elected.

Guess it was just your regular GOP fear campaign to get votes.

12 ( +17 / -5 )

Lady Gaga is the new Lady Maga!

She sang and shone like sunshine lighting up America in contrast to the scarecrow scowls and shades of Trump's detached "First Lady" that never failed to project her gloom over the nation. But Mel did manage to paste on her first real moonbeam smile as she departed the WH forever.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

A big challenge to the Biden administration might come from left wings within the Democratic party.

Biden is the extreme Left wing of Dem party.

-14 ( +8 / -22 )

Texas:. the same Inauguration speech says 75 million Americans are domestic terrorists

Here's the speech:. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/01/20/politics/joe-biden-speech-transcript/index.html

I'm struggling to find the language that you are claiming.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

It will be good to actually have a politician in the White House. You don't entrust your health to an unqualified outsider, you go to a doctor. Having an unqualified outsider in the White House for the last four years has been painful.

Congratulations Biden and Kamala.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

I have a radical idea- how about we set aside just this one day to appreciate the moment? Administrations change, your guy wins or loses, life goes on. Perhaps the political bickering and ad hom attacks can be shelved for 24 hours. There is enough time for fighting tomorrow.

I would say congratulations to President Biden and wish him well.

4 ( +14 / -10 )

The down ward spiral accelerates but the one eyed wont notice or see that

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

Anyone who calls for unity and the end of hate needs to be sure they are not simply trying to silence freedom.

-5 ( +13 / -18 )

Poet 22-year-old Amanda Gorman reads 'The Hill We Climb'

The highlight of this 46th US augmentation ceremony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz4YuEvJ3y4

Will the 78-year-old Joe Biden be able to live up to such beauty in eloquence.?

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Trump's extreme right wing ultra nationalists and other white supremacists remain the greatest obstacle to unity and the greatest threat to American security..

Well as is very clear from the extreme left posters..the left does not want that Unity..so if Biden is looking for that very unlikely Unity he needs to start with his own party.. that extreme left is the greatest obstacle to that unity.

Think he is talking about the Unity and Security within the American left only..i.e. betweem the extreme left and the left.

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

The end of this Dark Ages chapter took place on the 20th ... it will take decades to mitigate the damage done to the nation and the rest of the related world.

The anarchist and misfits who were emboldened by the actions and rhetoric of those who, neither understand nor practice democracy, must end.

Four years on subjecting the country to an undeclared state of emergency is coming to an end.

Time to Make the United States of America Sane Again.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Well it looks like some folks, who belong to "just an idea" according to Ole Joe, were busy smashing the windows out of the Dem HQ in Portland. For some reason, Antifa folks are not happy with Biden either.

If the democrats wanted unity, they could have started that 4 years ago rather than sowing division throughout the last 4 years.

-4 ( +11 / -15 )

Lol. Some pretty sorry losers in this thread. But let's not be a "never-Biden". He's your president now. Please eat your words and deal with your emotions.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

We must end this uncivil war,' Biden says, taking over a U.S. in crisis

Oh, so he'll put an end to Antifa and BLM...

-6 ( +11 / -17 )

If I was snarky, I'd go back through all the Trump supporters archives here and post all the times they said "Trump will win in a landslide" and "Trump will be President on Jan 20th!"....

But I'll take President Biden's tack and just try for unity...

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Let's hope he can help make this happen.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Out of the woodwork come the hate on environment. Hate on a black woman VP. Hate on truth. Hate on Democracy.

Unification is what the country needs from Biden, but haters gonna hate on a great day for America.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Congratulations! America is back !

5 ( +12 / -7 )

A fair enough question to put forward.

Poet Amanda Gorman is calling out for Countries, communities, peoples collectively to unite, to collectively step back and revolutionize their souls.

However, the reality is reset.

Is this to be a continuation of “yesterday’s” liberal moderate ideology of markets and democracy.

One’s immediate impression would be to place the Biden/Harris as centrists, however to accommodate these contradictions so clearly on display---Barack/Michelle Obama, George W. Bush, Bill/Hillary Clinton, is step back to all our “yesterday’s

It took a gifted 22-year-old poet to spell out the future rising above all the weasel words.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

I can only say where is my check? still waiting.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Tell that to Bannon who is calling for a civil war and to Flynn and his brother who supported a coup.

https://www.rawstory.com/michael-flynns-brother-army-insurrection/

4 ( +8 / -4 )

There is nothing to dislike about Joe Biden.

The fact remains Joe retired from office and never envisaged a return to front line political in the midst of a devastating pandemic, an economy in freefall, a population politically and racially divided.

Yet on display were former Presidents/with first ladies that when had the opportunity to fulfil all the pledges and promises failed.

Now at 78 Joe Biden is being wheeled out as some political Gandalf the Grey.

The whole experience is frankly surreal. 

Are the electorate too frightened to question, to enquire, or just left with the fact that the choice was Joe Biden or Donald Trump, and what is perceived to be the less of the two evils.

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

Ah, what the heck, I'll post a few anyway...from Dec 13th;

America is going to wake up on January 7th with Trump as President.

Trump is going to be Constitutionally elected on January 6th, down vote all you want, but it's a comin.

Yep, they sure nailed those didn't they...

5 ( +9 / -4 )

freedom and the right to have a opinion only goes one way they seem to think.

Nope. You just make things up. Opinion needs to be done with truth and information to come to a logical idea.

You cherry pick, and only see a view which isn't based on logic nor facts, so it becomes irrelevant. I'd listen to opinion from anyone, but if that person's opinion is constantly based on false information, it is ignored, as it should be, because it's not an opinion, it's a complete falsehood. It is a total false equivalency to believe freedom equates with opinion, you don't comprehend the Constitution.

ie, the insurrection on the Capitol was somehow the Democrat's fault and it wasn't an act of treason done by domestic terrorists and caused by Trump...impossible fallacies you just believe narrative and it's lies, so there's no way a person of critical thought would believe that opinion to matter.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

BungleToday  10:38 am JST

Joe Biden is what happens when you vote against, not for someone.

Politicians love it when voters do that, as long as it's against their opponents. Why do you think Trump was so desperate to find some Ukraine stuff that would stick?

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Nothing in life is free, nothing, zero, zilch.

Trump will be whitewashed out of history, gone and best forgotten

Well, until the Trail.

This day is Biden/Harris.

Tomorrow lies with Amanda Gorman’s generation.

That day will come, sooner the better.

Until then, it is back to the future.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Lol. Some pretty sorry losers in this thread. But let's not be a "never-Biden". He's your president now. Please eat your words and deal with your emotions.

So grin and bear it like you did the past 4 years? Um, no.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Biden has made it clear he doesn't favor M4A, free housing, or student loan forgiveness, nor that benefits should be racially based.

What he favors and what he does are two different things.. the many so many powerful socialist in the left will over-ride him..he has no chance against them..either he tags along or he is out.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

I will say it again: Of course there can be unity. Right after "accountability" and "consequences".

Insurrections are not some "accident" you just apologize for. They have very real consequences.

Nowhere in Biden's speech did he say there would be no prosecutions. Nowhere in Mitch McConnell statement yesterday did he say "Trump didn't do it." In fact, just the opposite. So beware, those of you who had any part in the insurrection, your days ARE numbered. There WILL be accountability.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

cracaphatToday  12:23 pm JST

No-one is in denial about Biden being their first choice.He's not.But when that previous occupant was the best as an alternative,7 million people realised more of the same was not the go.Now what's left is for the cultists to continue being negative for negativity's sake

I do remember a couple of things Biden said or did that were not malicious but just plain dumb. Still, that's OK, his eight years as VP for Obama and his Senate tenure before that makes him more than qualified for the job.

Welcome, Joe! And congradulations.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Nowhere in Biden's speech did he say there would be no prosecutions..

Good..that means both the extreme left and the extreme right..will face the music..and than that Unity..now that could work.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Prosecution and punishment to the inciters of the insurrection is the only way to bring peace to America.

These inciters believed they were above the law and should be taught , the hard way, that no one including their leader is above the law.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

What he favors and what he does are two different things.. the many so many powerful socialist in the left will over-ride him..he has no chance against them..either he tags along or he is out.

The majority of Democratic congresspeople, sadly, also do not favor these things. You're inventing this whole-cloth.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Good..that means both the extreme left and the extreme right..will face the music..and than that Unity..now that could work.

There was no-one on the "extreme left" trying to stage a coup against the US Government.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Finally after 4 loooong years I don't have to be embarrassed by my country. Alot of repairing to do both domestically and internationally but at least I can sleep at night now knowing that the country has a government that is going to have actual policies to tackle the pandemic and it's economic fallout.

But just as much as looking and moving forward is the priority, we must ensure that the ugly rasicist ignorant side of America that was empowered by the 45th president never poses a threat to the country again. And for God's sake, let's take the firearms out of these moron's hands. These people are terrorists. Nothing less.

Having been a Republican my whole life I honestly want to see Trump convicted in the Senate so ensure he never rises to this level of power again. Ever. And those GOP sycophants who enabled his attack on Democracy through the big lie Nov 3-Jan 20 need to have their political careers destroyed.

We have a long way to go...but finally time to MAGA!!!

Maybe you were embarrassed, but the majority were not..you had a head of state who commanded respect around the world.. compare this to Obama, who on his last visit to China was all out humiliated when he was not allowed to de-board Airforce1 and had to come out from the belly of the Aircraft..now compare that to Trump who got the Red Carpet with Xi personally showing him around.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/04/barack-obama-deliberately-snubbed-by-chinese-in-chaotic-arrival-at-g20

The hard part of tackling the pandemic is already done..but the standard narrative is to blame Trump for the pandemic.

That ugly racist side is wide spread among the extreme left and the right..that 6-7 months of arson, looting, rioting does pose that threat..either it will become the new normal or maybe it was a one off..hope it is the later, and yes both the right and left love guns..Obama could not touch the NRA..Biden definitely cannot do anything about it.

And no Trump is not coming back..this unique two party system should though come to a end. The permanent Washington types on the left and the right are the ones who call the shots..just like the president they should have limited terms, anyway Biden can do nothing about it.

That MAGA could happen again..but only after that Unity..but given the left stand that will never happen.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

Maybe you were embarrassed, but the majority were not..you had a head of state who commanded respect around the world.. 

This is an excellent joke.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

@ulysses: Prosecution and punishment to the inciters of the insurrection is the only way to bring peace to America.

Finally! I was saying that all last Summer during the Portland federal building insurrections!

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Is it true Trump's beloved Proud Boys are turning against him? So funny if true!

9 ( +9 / -0 )

mrtinjpToday  01:07 pm JST

Maybe you were embarrassed, but the majority were not..you had a head of state who commanded respect around the world.. compare this to Obama, who on his last visit to China was all out humiliated when he was not allowed to de-board Airforce1 and had to come out from the belly of the Aircraft..now compare that to Trump who got the Red Carpet with Xi personally showing him around.

You've only given one example of the kind of "respect" he commanded, and that's from a totalitarian despot who is not generally reckoned to be much of a friend to the free world. What do you think of the leaders of friendly nations, i.e. Trudeau of Canada, Macron of France and Johnson of the UK all talking behind his back and laughing at him?

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Laugh all you want, but Trump was one of the few guys in town who couldn't be bought.

He was offering pardons for money.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Maybe you were embarrassed, but the majority were not..you had a head of state who commanded respect around the world.. 

Laugh all you want, but Trump was one of the few guys in town who couldn't be bought. 

Ooh stop it, my ribs hurt.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Prosecution and punishment to the inciters of the insurrection is the only way to bring peace to America.

Agreed. Violent rioters in any situation, from any background, for any reason need to be prosecuted.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Laugh all you want, but Trump was one of the few guys in town who couldn't be bought. 

Untruer words have never been spoken. He demonstrated time and again that he happily could and would be bought, by absolutely anyone. No politician in any modern democracy has sold himself more than Trump.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

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