DALLAS — Democratic and Republican members of Congress from Texas surrounded the platform on Wednesday to witness Joe Biden become the 46th president of the United States.
“We’re going to have our disagreements,” said U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas. “We’re going to disagree on policies. We’re going to disagree on a lot of things. But what we can never disagree about again is our democracy, is about whether we’re going to disagree about the results of elections.”
“As I watched it, I kept thinking about the motto that’s over the House chambers: 'E. pluribus unum. From many, one,'" said U.S. Rep. Van Taylor, R-Plano. “That is truly what we’re going to have to do as a nation to come together.”
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who two weeks ago questioned Biden’s election, tweeted from the ceremony: “Biden takes the oath. May God Bless the United States of America.”
U.S. Senator John Cornyn, also on the platform, apparently misread the moment.
Less than an hour after the swearing-in, as the political world paused for ceremony and union, Cornyn blasted Biden in a statement, criticizing the president's plan to stop the Keystone XL pipeline.
The senator said the move would likely cost jobs in Texas.
Richard Denne, the director of the TCU Energy Institute, told WFAA he thinks politicians may be overstating the impact to jobs.
Still, the timing of the release made Cornyn appear tone-deaf to the moment.
William Busby, communications director for the Dallas County Republican Party, echoed the unity of the day in a statement: “No matter our disagreements, we are all Americans and we must stand united. We respect the office of President of the United States and wish a warm Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.”
The pandemic prevented crowds to witness Kamala Harris make history. Normally, 200,000 tickets would be available for VIPs to witness the inauguration below the platform. This year, because of the virus, only 1,000 tickets were available to members of Congress and one guest.
“We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts,” said President Biden in his inaugural address.
Before a National Mall filled with flags rather than supporters, Biden forged a spirit of solidarity – a traditional message for incoming presidents.
“Politics doesn't have to be a raging fire, destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn't have to be a cause for total war,” the president added.
In Biden’s initial hours, he rejected rhetoric, believing reconciliation remains within reach.
But Republicans challenged Biden and Democrats to maintain the spirit of unity that was laid out on Wednesday.
It was a remarkable end to two weeks of political drama. Over the last 14 days, the Capitol has been the stage for an insurrection, an impeachment and now, an inauguration.