Biden and Harris to attend COVID memorial on eve of inauguration as U.S. death toll hits 400K
On the eve of their inauguration, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris plan to address the nation about the tragedy of the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday night.
As the U.S. death toll tops 400,000, the incoming president and vice president will speak at a somber memorial event at the Lincoln Memorial to mourn the dead and sick.
The historic reflecting pool will be surrounded by 400 lights, paying tribute to Americans who have perished from coronavirus.
Mayor de Blasio will lead a simultaneous memorial at the Statue of Liberty, one of several events in cities across the nation.
“As we remember those we’ve lost to COVID-19, we must also remember that the strength and unity of our people has always helped us prevail,” de Blasio said.
Biden and Harris want to make a clean break from the controversial rule of President Trump, who sought to underplay the impact of the pandemic and bungled the national response to it.
The incoming president and vice president will address the nation just hours before they take their oaths of office with the U.S. reeling in the grip of the pandemic and the economic downturn that it caused.
Biden and future First Lady Jill Biden departed their home in Wilmington, Delaware, where they have spent most of the last year of the presidential campaign and transition.
Joe Biden paid an emotional tribute to his home state as he left to begin his presidential term, calling himself a “proud son” of Delaware.
“It’s deeply personal that this journey starts in a place that defines the very best that we are as Americans,” Biden said.
The Bidens had hoped to ride his beloved Amtrak to Washington D.C., but security concerns scrapped that idea.
Biden and Harris will be sworn into office Wednesday amid unprecedented security after President Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol two weeks ago in a bloody riot.
More than 25,000 National Guard troops have put the capital city on virtual lockdown as officials worry about threats from right-wing extremists and white supremacists.
The National Mall will be closed to the public, with the usual crowds of cheering supporters replaced by thousands of flags to honor those who died of COVID.
The incoming administration plans to prioritize getting the national vaccine effort on track after a sputtering roll out marked by a total lack of presidential leadership.
One of Biden’s biggest challenges will be winning some measure of support from Republicans for further stimulus efforts to drag the nation out of the economic downturn.
Republican Congressional leaders Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) planned to attend a Wednesday morning church service with Biden in a possible sign he may win at least a brief honeymoon from the opposition party.
