Jen Psaki, Bidenâs new White House press secretary, vows âtruth and transparencyâ in 1st briefing
By Stephanie Weaver and Austin Williams
PublishedÂ
WASHINGTON - Jen Psaki took the podium as the new press secretary in the Biden administration on Wednesday, just hours after the presidential inauguration.
Psaki, a longtime Democratic spokesperson, previously served under the Obama administration. She served as the White House’s deputy press secretary, White House communications director, and the State Department’s spokesperson. Psaki also served as Biden’s press secretary during the transition. Rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House, Psaki said as she opened the briefing.
The coronavirus pandemic will be Biden s top priority, incoming White House press secretary says
From CNN s Aditi Sangal
The coronavirus pandemic will be President-elect Joe Biden s top priority after he is sworn in later today, the incoming White House press secretary Jen Psaki told CNN.
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans, obviously, have lost their lives, but many more millions have lost their jobs. And these are two intertwined crises,” she said. “I would expect that coronavirus getting it under control, addressing it, communicating with the public about it is going to continue to be front and center for him in his agenda,” she said.
Politics by Sarah Blake and Nathan Vass in Washington DC, Tiffany Bakker 21st Jan 2021 4:59 AM | Updated: 10:06 AM
Premium Content Joe Biden has entered the White House after becoming the 46th President of the United States at a snowdusted and unconventional Inauguration Day ceremony in which he promised to try to unite America. Mr Biden signed three executive orders in the presence of reporters - a mask mandate on federal property, support for undeserved communities, and rejoining the Paris climate accord. We are going to combat climate change in a way we have not done so far, Mr Biden said. And Kamala Harris made history as the first woman and first woman of colour to be sworn in as Vice President.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his speech after he was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Jim Bourg
US Jewish and pro-Israel organizations enthusiastically saluted Joe Biden on Wednesday as the Democratic leader was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States.
The statements and good wishes acknowledged that during a political career that has spanned almost half-a-century, Biden became a well-known and respected figure among American Jewish leaders and community groups. He first visited the State of Israel in 1973, just prior to the Yom Kippur war in October of that year.
USA Today is covering the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris live. Refresh often for updates.
After three campaigns for president, the day Biden finally became president ended with a bang.
President Joe Biden ended his inauguration day watching a massive firework show above the National Mall with his family from the Blue Room Balcony of the White House.
Singer Katy Perry performed her song “Firework” as the first family looked on, the stunning display lighting up the Washington Monument.
Vice President Kamala Harris and the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, watched from the Lincoln Memorial, where she earlier had spoken.