PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION Joe Biden has been officially taken office as president with Kamala Harris as his vice president

SIMMI SINGH

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Heated emotions surrounded the 2020 presidential election, which ended in a close race between candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden. As the world watched the United States count ballots, numbers slowly rose as people anxiously awaited the outcome.

As election day came and went, results were delayed as states counted large amounts of mail-in ballots that had not yet been counted. Since most of these votes were cast for Biden, Republicans saw the Trump lead slipping away.

On Nov. 7, four days after the election, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were called as the projected winners of the 2020 election.

Crowds flooded the streets with happiness and pride as the election results were plastered all over every television in America. Many Biden supporters came out of their homes with masks on, joyfully parading around their neighborhoods. News stations showed footage of strangers dancing with one another, congratulating each other on their victory, while fireworks went off in many different cities and countries.

“It was a very happy day for me,” senior Leah Remy said. “I feel like as a country this heavy weight has been lifted from our shoulders and the nation was united once again.”

That night in Delaware, both the vice president and president elect appeared on an outdoor stage surrounded by citizens in their vehicles. They addressed the nation with televised, unity-themed speeches.

Despite the results, Trump claimed the results were false and wanted a recount, costing the Trump administration millions of dollars to get all of the votes recounted by each state. When all votes were recounted, however, Biden ended up getting more votes than initially totaled.

“I believe that the votes were counted correctly the first time,” senior Bhavin Patel said. “We all knew that the mail-in votes would be the last to be counted, and that they would be mostly democratic.”

On Dec. 12, the electoral college made it official that Joseph R. Biden would be our next president.

Biden’s team began working with the Trump administration to have a smooth transition of power. Biden already had plans ready to fight the COVID pandemic and decrease cases. His plans include mandatory masks on federal property, getting vaccinated, and another shut down in order to get the virus in control. Many people disagreed with the idea of shutting down the country, saying it won’t work because people will still find a way to go out and spread the virus.

Trump announced that he would not attend the inauguration, and that he would go to his home in Florida with his family. Vice President Mike Pence, however, said he would attend.

On Jan. 6, Trump supporters rioted and stormed the capitol, breaking in through windows and doors. Believing the election was rigged and that Trump should have been declared the winner, the angry crowd chanted threats and broke into government officials’ private offices. Later, the FBI would post photos, leading to the arrest of those identified.

Jan. 20, Inauguration day, Joesph R. Biden and Kamala D. Harris were sworn in as the 46th President and 49th Vice President of the United States. History was made as Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first female and person of color to become the Vice President.

“It is really inspiring for me, other women, and young girls across the country to finally see a woman in office,” senior Ann Droelle said. “Looking up to Vice President Harris shows women that we are capable of anything we put our minds to.”

The day started off at 8 a.m. in the morning with Trump’s goodbye ceremony where supporters joined together to hear the President address the nation one last time. As he addressed the nation, he focused on the success his administration team over the past four years. Trump stated that they will be back in some type of form, and then boarded Air Force One, heading to Florida.

At 8:45 a.m. the Harris and Biden family attended a church service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C. There they sat for a service along their loved ones before the big ceremony. This was a tradition for many years now for the future president to attend a mass at the very same church with their loved ones before their inauguration.

Right after the mass, both families arrived at the Capitol’s east front at 10:30 a.m. to get the ceremony started. The ceremony officially started at 11 a.m., beginning with a performance of the National Anthem by Lady Gaga. This was followed by Amanda Gorman, the first ever national youth Poet Laureate, reading her poem about unity and togetherness among the nation. After, the benediction was given by Rev. Silvester Beaman of Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Delaware, and musical performance by Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.

Kamala D. Harris was sworn in at 11:55 a.m. as the first women and person of color vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Right after, just before noon, Joesph Biden was sworn in as 46th President of the United States. His wife was holding the family bible as he was being sworn in.

Afterward, each one gave their inaugural speeches, and addressed their hope for the country to be united.

“I am very excited for Joe Biden to be the next president,” senior Filip Rosic said. “I feel like the nation is very divided currently and I hope that he can unite the U.S again.”

At 2 p.m., former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama joined together at Arlington National Cemetery for wreath laying of unknown soldiers who have passed away while serving the country.

The “Inauguration Parade” started at 3:15 p.m., but it was not like any other parade, as citizens did not line streets due to safety and COVID concerns. The parade route brought Biden from 15th Street to the White House with a military escort.

The day’s events ended at 5:00 p.m. when Biden stepped into the Oval Office for the first time as a president, and began signing executive orders.

“I am very excited to see what the future holds for our country,” junior Natalie Weir said. “I hope that we are able to recover from this pandemic and are able to go back to normal life pre-COVID.”

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Thousands of Pro-Trump supporters gather at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. gEttY ImAgEs/tns phOtO

Capitol Hill Riot

Students react to events in Washington, D.C.

OLIVER GAMEZ

COPY EDITOR mer.” Others, though, had an even stronger reaction to the

Not only does all of America know about the riot that news. attempted to overtake Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, but the rest “When I found out what happened,” senior Annie of the world does, too. From gathering in a mass group Droell said, “I was infuriated and disgusted. What hapwithout masks during a public health crisis, to building pened was not right nor patriotic” gallows and announcing that they wanted Vice President While many stand by the opinion that these radical Mike Pence to be executed, these radical Pro-Trump sup- supporters were just a minority of his followers, others porters shocked many, and demonstrated despicable vi- feel that by not condemning these groups months ago, olence against the Democracy that they claim they want President Donald Trump directly influenced and incited upheld. the violence that followed after his rally.

“Conservatives are supposed “When Trump responded to be supporting the party of to these white supremacists, he peace, law, and order. This was told them that he loved them. not demonstrated,” senior Dillon The treatment of these terrorists Wagner said. “Real conservatives compared to the treatment of the don’t rush through lines of po- peaceful Black Lives Matter prolice officers holding the very flag testers by Trump really showed that shows support for them, and how racist Trump is and how he real conservatives don’t break incited this violence,” Droelle said. the laws and rules they preach so “He incited this violence by tellgraciously.” ing the Proud Boys to ‘stand back

Many don’t want to accept In one of the most memorable images from the riot, a and stand by.’ By not condemning that those who took part in this violent ordeal could really be as Trump supporter holds a Confederate flag outside the Senate Chamber. sAul lOEB/tns phOtO white supremacy he upholds the social order of white supremacy loyal to the country as they portray. and racism.”

“My initial reaction was shock. I was so surprised and Though President Trump is in the process of a second disappointed with what had happened,” senior Kirk Ras- impeachment for his influence in inciting the mob, many mussen said. “Regardless of what those people believed, still do not believe that he had a part in the riot overtakthe actions they took only hurt the narrative they sup- ing the Capitol. ported and showed their hypocrisy.” “While I don’t necessarily think President Trump di-

Like many in the nation, almost all at Utica had the rectly incited the violence that happened, since he did same reaction upon hearing the news. say in his speech beforehand he wanted it to be peace-

“All I could feel was... just shock,” sophomore Lana ful,” Wagner said. “He obviously has a responsibility to go Gamoura said. “I could not believe that the supporters along with it.” were breaking into the capitol considering that they were Regardless of political party, most students agree that all upset and against protesting when people decided to justice should be upheld, and that those who committed defend something as vital as human rights just last sum- these crimes should be punished.

Georgia Runoff Results

Student share their opinions on Democrats controlling the Senate

ABBY WILLIAMS

REPORTER

On Jan. 5, Georgia voted in a runoff election to choose who would fill the two available Senate seats. This election would determine which of the two parties, Republican or Democrat, that would be controlling the Senate. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of the Democratic party defeated David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler of the Republican party, granting Democrats the control of the Senate. Many people, from both the right and left parties, have lots of strong opinions on the outcome of the Georgia runoffs. Some that are associated with the Republican party dislike the outcome due to their party not holding power in the Senate. “I’m not too happy about the outcome,” sophomore Emily Addis said. “I am pretty sure that if Democrats rule the Senate, that makes our chances of Trump becoming president even slimmer, which I guess Democrats are happy about.” Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock at a rally. Others affiliated with lOs AngElEs tImEs/tns PHOTO the Democratic party have differing views, and are happy with the outcome. “I think this can be a good thing,” sophomore Alaina Wisswell said. “I think it could help make things a little safer with COVID-19.” Some supporters of Trump are concerned about what they believe could happen to the country if Trump is no longer in power. “I feel like Trump needed to become president again,” Addis said. “Under Biden’s rules, our country will turn to trash. Biden having the Senate on his side would make it easier for him to create stupid laws. I think he would make laws about forcing vaccines and taking away our guns.” On the other hand, some people who are happy with the result of the Georgia runoffs believe the opposite. “I think this would lead to more equality by undoing a lot of things,” Wisswell said. “In my opinion, undoing the trans military ban and making the gay panic defense illegal are steps towards equal rights.” Their high hopes don’t come without concerns, however. “I am worried about riots breaking out if Biden is able to carry out laws,” Wisswell said. “Seeing what happened at the Capitol made me nervous about something else happening if Biden does something Trump supporters don’t like.”