Political Timeline

Presidential pathway

Historical moments result in Biden, Harris administration

Grace Mossing mossigra000@hsestudents.org

Aer a culmination of events leading to their rise in power, President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took o ce on Jan. 20, 2021. From beginning to end, this political year was marked with historical moments worth highlighting.

Nomination

On April 8, 2020, Biden became the Democratic nominee a er candidate Bernie Sanders dropped out on Super Tuesday. When searching for a Vice President, Biden chose to only look at women and ended up choosing past opponent, Harris, as his running mate on Aug. 11, 2020.

Debates

With the COVID-19 pandemic, only three debates took place before the election: two presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate. Citizens who watched these debates were split between appallment or support of these debates. “I didn’t like how they were moderated,” senior Catie Laverty said. “It was either leaning Republican or leaning Democrat, and I was upset with both candidates not letting the other one speak. They kept cutting each other o , so I felt like there wasn’t time to learn anything.” The rst presidential debate was de ned by interruptions by both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, resulting in the Debate Commission’s decision to mute microphones at the second presidential debate. Freshman Casey Alexander supported this decision as he believed that it made them more comprehensible. “With interruptions, it becomes less about who can get their policies out and more about who can interrupt the most and who is the loudest,” Alexander said. “It’s kind of like a third grade classroom.”

Election Day

The presidential election looked di erent this year with widespread mail-in voting as well as early voting. While both happen in normal election years, they were much more popular this year as people wished to avoid close spaces so as to not contract COVID-19. “Mail-in voting was a positive method that should be looked upon and expanded moving forward,” sophomore Sarai Parks said. “It provided a safe way for people to vote during the pandemic. Not only did it help with that, but it helped reduce the disenfranchisement of people of color while voting.” Nonetheless, there was some opposition to mail-in voting. Concerns ranged from worries of fraud to votes being lost in the mail. On November 7, the election was nally called with major news stations such as Fox News, CNN, and CBS calling Pennsylvania for Biden in the electoral college, getting him to the 270 votes necessary to claim the presidency. Citizens who were apprehensive of mail-in voting, including Trump, claimed the win illegitimate.

On Jan. 6, the police expelled tear gas on the crowd of people raiding the Capitol. Photo used with permission of Wikimedia Commons.

Insurrection Inauguration

On January 6, protesters stormed the Capitol On inauguration day, Kamala Harris was sworn as members of Congress counted the Electoral in as the rst woman and woman of color Vice College votes for a nal time. Members of President. Casey and Parks believe that this is an Congress ed to the basement for safety as important step for the United States as a nation and police tried to keep protesters at bay. It was the a historical moment to be remembered. rst time the Capitol has been breached since “Being a young black woman, this has impacted the War of 1812. me to a great extent,” Parks said. “I am nally being “It was extremely disheartening to see how represented in a high power of government. This they got treated as opposed to Black Lives is something I never thought I would see. It’s truly Matter protests,” Parks said. “They were able inspiring. Progress is nally happening and I am so to hold conversations incredibly grateful to witness and take pictures it.” with police o cers. This just highlighted Biden/Harris the drastic di erence Administration between how di erent Biden started his groups of people are presidency by signing 22 treated in America.” executive orders in his rst Trump inciting this week, more than any other violence at a rally past president. Most of these earlier that day is a policies have been to reverse point of contention. executive orders instituted This belief ultimately Kamala Harris, a senator at the time, speaks at the by former President Trump. led to the House 2019 Iowa Democratic Wng Ding at Surf Ballroom He has also prioritized of Representatives in Clear Lake, Iowa. Photo used with permission of policies on climate change, impeaching him for Wikimedia Commons. immigration reform, the a second time. The economy, COVID-19 safety di erence was that 10 Republicans also voted to measures and social equity. impeach the former president this time around. Laverty hopes that they protect the economy “I’m disappointed,” Laverty said. “I really wish and keep money within the country. Alexander they wouldn’t have done that because they have has hopes that they are quicker with COVID-19 been pushing peaceful protests, especially a er information. the Black Lives Matter movements, that we’re “They should be brief and limited to what we not so destructive.” know instead of wild predictions,” Alexander said.