Editor's Pick: President Biden begins the repair

The Hindu Newsletter - Newsletter - subject [The Hindu Logo]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( Thursday 21, January 2021 [alt_text]( Editor's Pick President Biden begins the repair [alt_text]( (The Editor's Pick is a new newsletter from The Hindu that provides a snapshot of the most important stories from today's edition of our newspaper, along with a note from our top editors on why we chose to give prominence to these stories.) Just two weeks after a [violent mob had stormed the US capitol](, threatening to derail the time honoured American tradition of a peaceful transition of power, that transfer did occur on Wednesday as [Joseph R. Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.](Speaking from the steps of the same Capitol building, [Mr. Biden delivered a message of unity]( and hope while laying out the enormous challenges faced by the country from a raging pandemic, deep political divisions and frayed race relations. “This is America’s day. This is Democracy’s day. The day of history and hope,” Mr. Biden said in his [inaugural address.]( Mr. Biden was administered the oath by Chief Justice John Roberts shortly before noon. Just prior to that, [Kamala Devi Harris](, the first woman, African-American and Indian-American to hold the vice-presidency, was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor – the first Latina in the U.S. top court. Past presidents – Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and their spouses — were also present as was outgoing Vice President Mike Pence. Mr. Trump, the outgoing President however, was conspicuous by his absence and had left earlier that morning for his residence and resort at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. In his farewell address, Mr. Trump vowed that [he will be back soon ‘in some form’](. Mr. Trump’s presidency has left deep fractures in America's politics and society and the now former President will still be a looming figure in the Republican party going forward. For now though, Mr. Trump has gone and President Biden is moving swiftly to [dismantle his legacy]( on his first day in office, [signing a series of executive actions]( that reverse course on immigration, climate change, racial equity and the handling of the [coronavirus pandemic.]( With the stroke of a pen, Mr. Biden ordered a halt to the construction of Mr. Trump’s controversial [U.S.-Mexico border wall,]( ended the ban on travel from some Muslim-majority countries, declared his intent to [rejoin the Paris Climate Accord]( and the World Health Organisation. In all, he signed 15 executive orders on his first day in office. Only two recent Presidents signed executive actions on their first day in office — and each signed just one. Such is the magnitude of the task ahead of Mr. Biden and such was the frustration perhaps for Democrats as they struggled to grapple with four years of a Trump presidency and Republican control of the senate. The swift reversal of these policies will have implications for the world and some, in particular, for India. These are subjects that make this story our top pick of the day. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. [Click here]( Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz China has signed deals with how many countries to offer its home-developed COVID-19 vaccines? 1. 10 2. 12 3. 15 4. 20 To find out the answer and play the full quiz, [click here]( The Big Story [Farmers’ protest | In a thaw, Centre offers to put off farm laws for 18 months]( [alt_text]( From the Front Page [alt_text]( [Biden sworn in, delivers message of unity](, hope [alt_text]( [Karnataka tops in innovation, shows NITI Aayog index]( From the Opinion Pages [alt_text]( [Removing the creases in housework valuation]( [alt_text]( [The long shadow of Trumpism]( Today's Editorials [Managing the rollout: On address](ing vaccine hesitancy [Polls apart: On Uganda under Mus](eveni You are receiving this email because you are a user of [thehindu.com]( If you do not wish to receive any such emails, [unsubscribe here.](mailto:rm-0bffykq9bf2f90kaup33rtbysa8hkse@newsalert.thehindu.com?subject=Unsubscribe&body=You will be unsubscribed from our mailing list.) To ensure you continue to receive emails from The Hindu in your inbox, please add newsletters.th@newsalert.thehindu.com to your contact. If you can't see the mailer, please [click here.]( Group Sites [The Hindu]( | [இந்து தமிழ் திசை]( | [Business Line]( | [BL on Campus]( | [Sportstar]( | [Frontline]( | [The Hindu Centre]( | [Images]( | [roofandfloor]( | [Classifieds]( Copyright @ 2021 ,THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. [About Us]( | [Contact Us]( | [Digital Subscription](