The USDA has set aside $16 million in grants for pest detection and mitigation. Legislative Watch: Biden plans first 100 days; Bronaugh to be deputy secretary of agriculture; numerous other appointments made; confirmation hearings begin. Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46 th president of the United States this week, pledging to unite the country. “This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge. Unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you we will not fail,” he said. “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, if we show a little tolerance and humility.”