Joe Biden in his first speech as president: I call on Americans to unite

(Patria) - In his first address after taking the oath of office, US President Joe Biden said this is America's day.

"This is a day for democracy, a day of history and hope. Today we celebrate not the triumph of a candidate, but of democracy. The will of the people has been heard. We have learned again that democracy is precious, but fragile. At this moment, dear friends, democracy has prevailed. Thank you to my predecessors from both parties, from the bottom of my heart. Last night I spoke with President Carter, who could not be here today, but we honor him here. I have just taken the oath, I have spoken the words that George Washington once spoke. This is a great nation, we are good people. Over the centuries we have progressed so much, but there is still so much ahead of us. We must recover, we must heal, there are many tasks ahead of us. Millions of jobs have been lost, hundreds of thousands of businesses have closed. The dream of justice for all will no longer be postponed. The rise of political extremism and domestic terrorism is something we must confront and defeat. What we need is what is hardest to achieve in a democracy - unity.

Today, my whole soul is in this, in uniting our nation and our people. I call on all Americans to join me in this. With unity, we can achieve great and important things - create jobs, educate our children in schools, defeat the virus, achieve racial justice, and once again make America a leading force for good in the world. I know that the forces that divide us are deep and real, but they are not new. Our history is a constant struggle between the American ideal - that we are all created equal - and the cruel reality of racism and extremism," he said.

In each of these moments, enough of us have come together to move forward. History, faith, and reason point forward. We must see each other not as enemies, but as neighbors. We must stop the conflicts and lower the temperature. Without unity, there is no peace, only chaos. If we unite, we will succeed.

Today, let's start anew together. Let's start listening to and respecting each other. We must reject a culture in which facts are manipulated or even invented," he said.

My dear Americans, I believe America is much better than this. When our Union hangs on the brink, we stand here. We are here where Dr. King spoke of his dream. Today we mark the first woman in the office of Vice President, don't tell me things aren't changing," he said.

Violence will not happen here again. Not today, not ever again," he said.

To all those who did not support me - please listen to me. If we still disagree - so be it. That is America. The right to disagree is one of this country's greatest strengths. I promise you this - I will be president of all Americans, of everyone. And I will fight equally for those who supported me as for those who did not," he said.

The past few months have taught us a painful lesson - there is truth and there is falsehood. Lies told to gain power and profit. But leaders have sworn to the Constitution, to defend the truth and defeat falsehood," he said.

I know many Americans are afraid of the future, afraid for their jobs, thinking about their families. I promise you - I understand that. But the answer is not to divide into factions, to distrust those who do not look like us. We must end this uncivil war. If we show a little tolerance and if we are willing to consider others for just a moment, we can do it. We do not know what fate holds for us. Sometimes it will offer you help, sometimes it will call on you to help others. If we behave like this, this country will progress, even if we can still disagree," he said.

A difficult winter of a deadly virus lies ahead of us, we must overcome this hardship as one nation. As the Bible says, joy comes in the morning. We will get through this together. Together," he said.

My message to those beyond our borders - we will repair relationships and alliances. We will lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example. We will be a strong partner in the fight for peace," he said.

Please join me in a moment of silent prayer for the 400,000 Americans who have died in the pandemic. Let us honor them," Biden said, after which a minute of silence followed.

Difficult times lie ahead. We face an attack on democracy, systemic racism, a climate crisis, and a pandemic. Each of these challenges would be a problem, but we must face them all at once. We are now being tested - will we rise to the occasion? It is time for courage. I promise you - we will be judged by how we faced these crises.

I give you my word before God and before all of you: I will defend the Constitution, democracy, America, and I will give you all that I have, I will serve all of you, the public good. Together we will write an American story of hope, not fear, of light, not darkness. Let it be a story that guides and inspires us. Let history one day say of us that we secured freedom at home and in the world."

We turn to the task that this moment presents us. May God bless America and may God protect our soldiers. Thank you, America!" Biden concluded.