From left: George W. Bush, Nancy Pelosi, and Barack and Michelle Obama at Wednesday’s presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol.Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty
The exclusive former president’s club gathered at the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday morning to witness PresidentJoe Bidenand Vice PresidentKamala Harristake the oath of office.
The group of former U.S. presidents are rarely together, with the exception of ceremonies such as the openings of presidential libraries, funerals and Inauguration Day.
Shortly before noon local time, Biden, 78, wassworn in as the 46th presidentof the United States.
Most of Biden’s predecessors — Bill Clinton,Barack Obama, and George W. Bush — were seated in the crowd to watch him take the oath, with the exception of former President Jimmy Carter and departing President Donald Trump.
The Obamas, Bushes, Clintons, and other prominent American political families attended the ceremony, however, along with former Vice President Mike Pence. The presidents cordially greeted one another, with nods, fist bumps, and waves “hello.”
Joe Biden (left) and Barack Obama share a first bump at Biden’s inauguration.Drew Angerer/Getty
Former President George W. Bush greets Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.Rob Carr/Getty
Obama gave Biden a fist bump when they greeted each other upon the Obamas' arrival. “Congratulations to my friend, President @JoeBiden! This is your time,” the 59-year-old former presidenttweeted, congratulating Biden on being sworn into office.
Clinton, 74, alsotweetedhis congratulations minutes after Biden took the oath and delivered his first remarks as the new president. Clinton called the inauguration “a ceremony that has affirmed our democracy and celebrated the best of what America stands for.”
“I send my congratulations, best wishes, and prayers as they begin their important work,” Clinton added. Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee,saidshe was “so excited” to witness Biden’s swearing-in on Wednesday, along with the cast of former first couples.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff greet former President Barack Obama.ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty
Joe Biden (left) is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States at his inauguration Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol.Alex Wong/Getty
Vice President Kamala Harris takes the oath of office.Rob Carr/Getty
The five living former presidents previously joined together in2017 when they raised $42 million for hurricane victims in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the American Virgin Islands. Trump did not make a personal appearance at the hurricane relief concert – instead, he sent atwo-minute pre-recorded video.
In a 2019 interview with Kate Anderson Bower, author ofTeam of Five: The Presidents Club in the Age of Trump, Trump was asked how he saw himself fitting in with the President’s Club. “I don’t think I’ll fit in very well,” he said,according to Bower. “I’m a different kind of president.”
On Wednesday, the presidents who did choose to attend Biden’s swearing-in all followed the new commander-in-chief to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. There, the presidents are expected to lay a wreath, honoring fallen U.S. military members and showing the nation an image aimed to inspire unity.
“Let’s start afresh — all of us,” Biden said in his first speech as president Wednesday, adding, “America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge.”
source: people.com
