The new president started his day at church, took the oath on a massive Bible, quoted St. Augustine and paused for silent prayer during his inaugural speech.
And I'm already seeing Christians lament that the "four years when it was okay to love Jesus" just ended.
— Jason Boyett (@jasonboyett) January 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/bagofnothing/status/1352081468361732097
Officer Eugene Goodman is escorting Kamala Harris today. You may remember his brave heroics during the January 6th insurrection.pic.twitter.com/MRHrUbOHh6
— The Recount (@therecount) January 20, 2021
Garth Brooks really did show up in boots to a black tie affair
— Caroline Kenny (@carolinerkenny) January 20, 2021
Bernie’s mittens are made by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vt. She gave them to him 2+ years ago and was surprised when he began wearing them on the campaign trail. They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles. pic.twitter.com/ErLr29lY2t
— Ruby Cramer (@rubycramer) January 20, 2021
Biden to his new WH staffers: "I will fire you on the spot" if you treat another person with disrespect or "talk down" to them.
"Everybody is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. That's been missing over the last four years."
— Eliza Relman (@eliza_relman) January 20, 2021
Out: Andrew Jackson
In: FDR
Read @annielinskey’s exclusive piece on Biden's new Oval Office.https://t.co/5j4EYCYUoy— michaelscherer (@michaelscherer) January 20, 2021
Some are paired, with paintings of former president Thomas Jefferson and former treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton hung near each other — the two men frequently disagreed and were placed together to illustrate the benefits that come from differing views. Biden’s office said the paintings were twinned as “hallmarks of how differences of opinion, expressed within the guardrails of the Republic, are essential to democracy.”
Busts of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy flank a fireplace in the office. Biden often refers to the impact both men made on the country as part of the civil rights movement.
Biden is also nodding to segments of the Democratic Party’s base via historical references. Behind the Resolute Desk is a bust of Cesar Chavez. The office also includes busts of Rosa Parks and Eleanor Roosevelt and a sculpture depicting a horse and rider by Allan Houser of the Chiricahua Apache tribe that once belonged to the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) — the first Japanese American elected to both houses of Congress.
A painting of Benjamin Franklin is intended to represent Biden’s interest in following science. The painting is stationed near a moon rock set on a bookshelf that is intended to remind Americans of the ambition and accompaniments of earlier generations.
The room also includes paired paintings of former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and a bust of former senator Daniel Webster, who forcefully defended the Union.
President Donald Trump’s light gold drapes have been replaced with a different, darker shade of gold that hung in President Bill Clinton’s Oval Office. The dark blue rug was also in the office during the Clinton administration and was selected because Biden liked the deep hue of it. The furnishings, including the couches and tables, all came from the White House collection, so they will look familiar to those who watch the room closely.
Gone are the flags of the branches of the military that Trump displayed behind the Resolute Desk. Biden has installed an American flag and another with a presidential seal.
Also removed was the portrait of former president Andrew Jackson that Trump hung in his office. Trump and Jackson both ran as populists, and Jackson was the first president to be directly elected, and he proposed ending the electoral college.
But for many, the decision reinforced allegations of racism emanating from the White House. Jackson kept enslaved people and signed the Indian Removal Act, which led to thousands of Native American deaths as tens of thousands were forced to move to make room for White settlers.
One aspect of the office that hasn’t been touched: The Resolute Desk. Biden is keeping the same desk that Trump and several previous presidents have used.
I doubt the new White House Press Secretary will appear on Dancing With the Stars
— BagOfNothing (@bagofnothing) January 21, 2021
It’s that simple. pic.twitter.com/DxyVwuJdop
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) January 21, 2021
Watching the first press briefing just now – wow, its like "Did the last four years really just happen?" It feels like the season of "Dallas" that was really just a dream/nightmare. And like that "Dallas" scene, it made me feel like I need a shower.
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) January 21, 2021
@POTUS – Congrats and welcome to the job. I know a plethora of things are on your to-do list, but before it's too late, don't forget to keep color scheme from ever happening. PS: Give Champ and Major a belly rub for me. pic.twitter.com/BVK0aqQbtX
— BagOfNothing (@bagofnothing) January 20, 2021
There's some deep religious symbolism here. VP Pence handing a golden microphone to Lady Gaga who's wearing a golden dove and an olive branch. And if that's not Pence's hand, then pretend you never saw this. https://t.co/gXNdkGekyz
— BagOfNothing (@bagofnothing) January 21, 2021
In 100 years, they're gonna study the playlist from this inauguration and be like, "Were they ok?" and if anyone from future Twitter is reading this, the answer is "No, we were not." #InaugurationDay
— bethandbono (@bethandbono) January 21, 2021
I was sick to my stomach when the most spectacular fireworks I saw over DC happened after Trump accepted his party's nom. from the White House lawn. But the fireworks I just saw as @katyperry sang "Firework" blew that one out of the water. It felt cleansing, like a redemption.
— BagOfNothing (@bagofnothing) January 21, 2021
It’s an infected urethra. It’s perfect. https://t.co/zMJeZjJjyO
— Jordan Klepper (@jordanklepper) January 20, 2021