Biden's inauguration a restoration of American democracy

PRESIDENT Joe Biden took command of the US on Wednesday, vowing to save the union from the threats of a pandemic and Trumpism.

The new president cast the inauguration itself as a restoration, a restoration of American democracy after its violation on Jan 6. He reclaimed the Capitol as "sacred ground" only two weeks after a "riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the voice of the people".

"This is a celebration... not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy," Mr Biden said.