Joe Biden took oath as the 46th president of the United States.

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Joe Biden took oath as the 46th president of the United States at the Capitol. His deputy, Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, also took oath as the new Vice President of the United States, becoming the first Black person, first woman, and first Asian American to serve at the position.

In his first remarks, Biden said, “democracy has prevailed.” He swore the oath of office to take the helm of a deeply divided nation and inheriting a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors.

His inauguration came at a time of national tumult and uncertainty, a ceremony of resilience as the hallowed American democratic rite unfurled at a US Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago. “The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded.

We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed,” Biden said. “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump walked out of the White House and headed to Florida, giving a miss to the inauguration event of Joe Biden where he will take oath as the 46th president of the United States.

In his final remarks before leaving the White House, Trump said, “We love the American people and again it has been something very special. And I just want to say goodbye, but hopefully it’s not a long term goodbye. We’ll see each other again.”

Background:

The US has had an elected president since its constitution went into effect in 1789. Unlike in many countries, the Presidential election in the US is rather a year-long process starting from announcing of candidacy to the Inauguration day.

U.S. Constitutional Requirements for Presidential Candidates

• The President must:He/She must meet the age and residency requirements by Inauguration Day. Any person who meets these requirements can declare his or her candidacy for President at any time. Vice-President must also meet all of the qualifications of being a President.

• Be a natural-born citizen of the United States
• Be at least 35 years old
• Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years

But in India, President can also be a naturalized citizen. Also, a candidate to be nominated for the office of president needs 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as seconders for his name to appear on the ballot.

In the US, a person can be the president for only two terms. But there is no such bar in India.