progress, only exhausting outrage. no nation, only a state of chaos. this is our historic moment of crisis and challenge and unity is the path forward. and we must meet this moment as the united states of america. if we do that, i guarranty you we will not fail. we have never ever, ever, ever failed in america. when we have acted together and so today, at this time, in this place, let's start afresh, all of us. let's begin to listen to one another again, hear one another, see one another, show respect to one another. politics doesn't have to be a raging fire, destroying everything in its path. every disagreement doesn't have

to be a cause for total war. and we must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured. [applause] my fellow americans, we have to be different than this. america has to be better than this. and i believe america is so much better than this. just look around. here we stand in the shadow of the capitol dome as was mentioned earlier, completed amid the civil war when the union itself was literally hanging in the balance. yet we endured. we prevailed. here we stand. looking out on the great mall where dr. king spoke of his dream. here we stand where 108 years ago at another inaugural, thousands of protesters tried to

block brave women marching for the right to vote. and today we mark the swearing-in of the first woman in american history elected to national office, vice president kamala harris. don't tell me things can't change. [applause] here we stand across the potomac from arlington cemetery where heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion rest in eternal peace. and here we stand, just days after a riotuos mob thought they could silence the will of the people, to stop democracy and drive us from this sacred ground. it did not happen. it will never happen. not today, not tomorrow, not ever. not ever. [applause]

for all those that supported our campaign i'm hupp belled by the faith you placed in us. to all those who did not support us, let me say this, hear me out as we move forward, take a measure of me and my heart. if you still disagree, so be it. that's democracy. that's america. the right to dissent peaceably within the guardrails of our republic is perhaps this nation's greatest strength. yet hear me clearly, disagreement must not lead to disunion. i pledge this to you, i will be a president for all americans, for all americans. [applause] and i promise you, i will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did. [applause] many centuries ago st. agustin,

a saint in my church, wrote a people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love. defined by the common on yessings of their love. what are the common objects we as americans love, that define us as americans? i think we know. opportunity, security, liberty, dignity, respect, honor and yes, the truth. [applause] in recent weeks and movent have taught us a painful lesson. there is truth and there are lies. lies told for power, and for profit. each of has a duty and a responsibility as citizens, as americans, especially as leaders, leaders who have pledged to honor our constitution and protect our nation. to defend the truth and defeat

the lies. look -- [applause] i understand that many of my fellow americans view the future with fear and trepidation. i understand that they worry about their jobs. i understand like my dad they lay in bed staring at night, staring at the ceiling wondering can i keep my health care? can i pay my mortgage? thinking about their families, about what comes next. i promise you, i get it. but the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don't look like, look like you. or worship the way you do, or don't get their news from the same sources you do. we must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue,

rural versus, 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 and if we're willing to stand in the other person's shoes as my mom would say, just for a moment, stand in their shoes. because here's the thing about life, there is no accounting for what fate will deal you. some days, when you need a hand, there are other days when we're called to lend a hand. that is how it has to be. that is what we do for one another. and if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future. we can still disagree. my fellow americans, in the work

ahead of we're going to need each other, we need all of our strength to persevere through this dark winter. we're entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus. we must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation. one nation. [applause] and i promise you this, as bible says, we be may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. we will get through this together, together. [applause] look folks, all my colleagues i serve with in the house and senate up here, we all understand the world is watching, watching all of us today. so here's my message to those beyond our borders. america has been tested and

we've come out stronger for it. we will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again. not to meet yesterday's challenges but today's and tomorrow's challenges. [applause] we'll lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example. [applause] we'll be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress and security. look, you all know, we've been

through so much in this nation. and my first act as president i would like to ask you to join me in the moment of silent prayer, remember all of those who we lost in this past year to the pandemic. 400,000 fellow americans, moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, neighbors and coworkers. we'll honor them by becoming the people and the nation we know we can and should be. so i ask you, let's say a silent prayer for those who have lost their lives and those left behind and for our country. [moment of silence] amen. folks, this is a time of testing. we face an attack on our democracy and on truth, a raging virus, growing inequity, sting ever systemic racism, a climate in crisis, america's role in the world, any one of these we've been up to challenge us in propound ways but the fact is we

faced them all at once, presenting this nation with one of the gravest responsibility we've had. now we're going to be tested. are we going to step up, all of us? it is time for boldness, for there is so much to do. and this is certain, i promise you, we will be judged, you and i, by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era. we will rise to the occasion is the question, will we master this rare and difficult hour? will we meet our obligations to pass along a new and better world to our children? i believe we must. i'm sure you do as well.

i believe we will. when we do, we'll write the next great chapter in the history of the united states of america, the american story, a story that might sound something like a song that means a lot to me. it's called, american anthem. there is one verse that stands out at least for me and it goes like this, the work and prayers of century have brought us to this day, what shall be our legacy, what will our children say? let me know in my heart when my days are through, america, america, i gave my best to you. let's add, let us add our own work and prays to the unfolding story of our great nation. if we do this then when our days are through, our children and our children's children will save us, they gave their best, they did their duty, they healed a broken land. my fellow americans, i close the day where i began, with a sacred oath, before god and all of you, i give you my word, i will always level with you, i will

defend the constitution, i will defend our democracy, i'll defend america, and i will give all, all of you, keep everything i do in your service, thinking not of power but of possibilities, not of personal -- but the public good and together we shall write an american story of hope, not fear. of unity, not division, of light, not darkness. a story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness. may this be the story that guides us. the story that inspires us. and the story that tells ages yet to come that we answer the call of history, we met the moment. democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die in our

watch but thrive. that america secured liberty ad home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. that is what we owe our forbearers, one another and generation to follow. so with purpose and resolve we turn to those tasks of our time, sustained by faith, driven by conviction, devoted to one another and the country we love with all of our hearts. may god bless america. and may god protect our troops. thank you, america. [applause] neil: now the 46th president of the united states, sending a message of untry saying that my whole soul is putting america back together. going on to say it is time for boldness. america never failed when we all acted together. went on to say he will be

president for all the americans, as much for those who didn't vote for me as those who did. that we must face this pandemic as one nation, while noting a moment of silence for the 400,000 plus americans who died of the pandemic. >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome garth brooks to perform "amazing grace". [applause] ♪.

♪ amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me ♪ ♪ i once was lost but now i am found was blind but now i see ♪ ♪ when we been there 10,000 years bright shining as the sun ♪

♪ we've no less days to sing god's praise than when we've first begun ♪ >> ask you to sing this last verse with me. not just the people here, but the people at home, at work, as one united. ♪ amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me ♪ ♪ i once was lost but now i am

found, was blind but now i see ♪ >> amen. [applause] >> be reminded of --

[applause] >> hard not to be reminded of president obama's singing that same song at the mother emanuel church. [applause] a song in our culture is close to both poetry and prayer as you possibly can come. we're going to finish with those two things. let me introduce amanda gorman, our nation's first-ever national poet laureate. [applause] [cheering] >> mr. president, dr. biden,

madam vice president, mr. imhoff, americans and the world. when day comes we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade? the loss we carry sea we must wave, we graved the belly of the beast. we've learned that quiet isn't always peace. in the norms and notions of what just is, isn't always justice. yet the dawn is ours before we knew it, somehow we do it, somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken but simply unfinished. we the successors of a country and a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can

dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one. and yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine but that doesn't mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. we are striving to forge our union with purpose, to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man. so we lift our gaze not to what stands between us but what stands before us. we close the divide because we know to put our future first we must first put our differences aside. we lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. we seek harm to none and harmony for all. let the glow if nothing else say this is true.

that even as we grieved we grew. even as we hurt we hoped. that even as we tired we tried. that we'll be forever tied together, victorious, not because we will never again no defeat but because we will never again sow division. scripture tells us to envision that everyone will sit under their own vine and fig tree and

no one shall make them afraid f we're to live up to our own time then victory won't lie in the blade but in all the bridges we've made. that is the promise of glade, the hill we climb, if only we dare it because being american is more than a pride we inherit. it is the past we step into and how we repair it. we've seen the force that would shatter our nation rather than share it. would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. in this effort very nearly succeeded but while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. in this truth, in this trust while we have our ice, history has its eyes on us. this is the era of just redemption. we feared it at its inception. we did not feel prepared to be hays of terrifying power but in it we found power to offer a new chapter, to offer hope and laugher to ourself so while once we asked how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe, now we assert. how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us. we will not march back to what was but move to what shall be a country that is bruised by

whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free. we will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our action and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation. our blunders become their burdens but one thing is certain, we emerge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children's birthright. so let us leave behind a country better than one we were left with every breath from my bronze pounded chest and blaze this world into a wonderous one. we will rise in the gold hills of the west. rise in the wint sweeped of the northeast where our forefathers realized revolution and lakes and cities of midwestern states and rise in the sun-baked south.

we will build, reconcile and recover and every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful. when day comes we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid and a new dawn blooms as we free it. for there is always light if only we're brave enough to see it. if only we're brave enough to be it. [applause] >> thank you, amanda gorman. now for our benediction i'm pleased to introduce reverend dr. sylvester beeman, the pastor

of the bethel episcopal church of wilmington, delaware, a friend of president biden for 30 years. >> as a nation and people of faith gathered in this historical moment, let us unite in prayer. god, we gather under the beauty of your holiness and the holiness of your beauty. we seek your face, your smile, your warm embrace. we petition you once more in

this celebration. we pray for divine favor upon our president, joseph r. biden and our first lady, dr. jill biden and their family. we further ask that you would extend the same favor upon our vice president, kamala d. harris and second gentleman, doug imhoff and their family. more than ever, more than ever, they and our nation need you. we need you for in you we discover our common humanity, and our common humanity, we will seek out the wounded and bind their wounds. we will seek healing for those who are sick and diseased. we will mourn our dead. we will befriend the lonely, the

least, and the left out. we will share our abundance with those who are hungry. we will do justly to the oppressed, acknowledge sin, and seek forgiveness, doest grasping reconciliation. in discovering our humanity we will seek the good in and for all of our neighbors. we will love the unloveable. remove the stigma of the so-called untouchables. we will care for our most vulnerable, our children, the elderly, emotionally challenged and the poor. we will seek rehabilitation beyond correction. we will extend opportunity to those locked out of opportunity. we will make friends of our enemies. we will make friends of our enemies. people, your people, shall no

longer raise up weapons against one another. we will rather use our resources for the national good and become a beacon of life and goodwill to the world. and neither shall we learn hatred anymore. we'll lie down in peace and not make our neighbors afraid. you, o, god, we discover our humanity and our humanity we discover our commonness. beyond the difference of color, creed, origin, political party, ideology, geography and personal preferences we'll become greater stewards of your environment, preserving the land, reaping from it a sustainable harvest and securing its wonder and miracle-giving power for generations to come. this is our benediction that

from these hallowed grounds where slaves labored to build this shrine and citadel to liberty and democracy let's all acknowledge from the indigenous native-american to those who recently received their citizenship, from the african-american to those who foreparents came from europe and every corner of the globe, from the wealthy to those struggling to make it, from every human being regardless of their choices, that this is our country. as such, teach us, o god, as such, teach us o god, to live in it, love in it, be healed in it, and reconciled to one another in it lest we miss king dom's goal.

, to your glory, majesty, dominion and power, forever. hallelujah, glory, hallelujah, in the strong name of our collective faith, amen. >> please remain standing as the armed forces color guard retires our national colors. ♪

♪. >> ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. and remain in your seats while the president and official party depart the platform. for safety reasons your ushers will release your section in an organized manner. following the playing of our national march, the stars and stripes forever. ♪. [applause]

neil: all right. that was one of the more perfunctory inaugurations we've seen in some sometime, short and sweet, to the point. all about unity for joe biden. -- very punctual first daily press briefing that stopped under his predecessor, but it is a theme undeniably in relatively short inaugural address came down to getting together as a people. that we must be united. that i will be president for all americans, not just those who voted for me. we can do great things, but only when we do them together. says america has been tested again and again. we will engage with the rest of the world once again. as sweeping as the plans will be

outlined and detailed in some executive orders he is expected to sign. some of which will be signed right in the capitol in the ceremony room right there. there will be no inaugural luncheon as there normally is for the incoming president and the vice president. instead, it will still give him an opportunity to sign a number of documents in the senate chamber and some executive orders and memorandums, proclamations. some of the more formal moves he is going to take will be when he gets to the white house a little later today. some of the more specific executive orders that will address, rejoining the paris climate accords, to stop the keystone pipeline, extend eviction moratoriums and the like. all that comes a little bit later. but it will be part of a theme that will hit, what hopes to indicate from fdr, make it busy, aggressively busy first 100 days. connell mcshane, "after the bell" host who has

been camping out in washington the last few days. that was his theme. he stuck to that theme. he thanked his predecessors of both parties for being there. didn't refer specifically to one big one who was not but it was a uniting speech. he wanted to say it was great deal we can do together, connell. i'm looking what he faces, a 50-50 senate and battles among progressives in his party don't think he is being generous enough with spending. it will be a bumpy start, what do you think? >> it won't be easy, neil. i guess it never is, particularly this time. there were direct references to that in the new president's inaugural address which ran my clock for just 21 minutes. so it was a short inaugural speech on the west front of the capitol, beginning with the words this is america's day, this is democracy's day. you were right to point out a theme of unity which we're told a big part of this speech, was indeed a big part of this speech throughout the afternoon and

early evening a transition we heard through the end of speech, when the new president, see him greeted there by the capitol staff as he walks through the capital building. you talk about a time of boldness with those 17 executive actions and 16 executive orders will be part of that he addressed right at the beginning of his inaugural address, as you see the new vice president and her husband walking through the capitol right now, the attack and siege of that building which he spoke just two weeks ago. talked about how fragile democracy is, how democracy has prevailed. in a direct reference to the mob that had stormed that building on the 6th of january, political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism must be confronted, they will be defeated. inviting, every american, neil, to join him in that cause. that cause was unity. that is what we expect throughout the rest of the afternoon. there will be tans significance

getting to work. some of that to your point does start at the capitol with signing of some of the proclamations that have to do with becoming the new president. but then, president biden and the former presidents who are on hand, former president carter was unable to attend. now former president trump chose not to attend, the other former presidents will accompany the new president across the river to arlington national cemetery. they will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. that is all to come this afternoon before they end up in the neighborhood where i am in that big house, the white house behind me, sometime late this afternoon, neil. neil: now do we know at this point that the strategy will be try to get as many executive orders out as possible?

he has gotten some criticism, that is, president biden, that he is going executive order route without trying to get some of these changes through congress. others warned him in the democratic party, unless you do the executive order thing, send a strong message, they won't respect you. so he has to juggle that. >> most of these executive actions and orders have to deal with regulation, environmental regulations and the like and with reversing the policies of his predecessor. some of those policies were put in not the first day but opening days of the trump administration four years ago. president biden will reverse some policies. he will order immediate termination of border wall funding. he will move to end the travel ban from some muslim majority countries. revoke approval of the keystone pipeline. which will get a lot of attention in the business word. some of those things probably wouldn't have went through the congress anyway but president biden maintains he will at least try in the congress to get through his first and biggest priority as president to tackle the pandemic which he talked about. even asked i should point out for a moment of prayer and silence during the inaugural

address for more than 400,000 americans who died as a result of covid-19. he proposed a relief plan to the tune of $1.9 trillion. he will try to get that through the congress. we've been talking to analysts and the like about that over the last week or so and the thinking, neil, is that he could probably get close to half of that through the congress without 60 votes which it would take through the senate. in other words, go through budget reconciliation which would take 51 vote majority, which democrats thanks to tie-breaking vote of vice president harris should be able to produce in the senate. you're right. it is a tough task on some of these other items. he will start with the executive order, start with the executive action and than try to move in the congress and try to convince people to get on board for this relief plan. that is what he was referring to at the end of his inaugural address when he said it was a time for boldness. neil: you know, connell, it is interesting you were referring

to 20 one minute inaugural address. record for inaugural address, i remember being there, for william henry harrison in 1841, one hour 45 minutes. one hour 45 minutes. back in george washington's day, 1793, written, 135 words. spoken they tried to do rough timing of it would have taken two minutes. two minutes to about 1 hour 45 minutes and addresses in between, various presidents as that also as far as the idea of what makes some speech stand out, sometimes it could be a very, very long sentence. that honor. it goes right now to john adams inaugural address in which one particular sentence was over 2000 words, 727 words back-to-back because it was hypenated, it contained 60 commas, 17 semicolons, one period. no one knows what the heck he said.

we know enough about what joe biden was saying today to try to unite the country.

that was, as you indicated it would be a constant theme. there is always this honeymoon period, connell, where the president can enjoy goodwill. we're seeing signs of that with vice president pence being there, former vice president pence now. he will be the formal send-off with vice president kamala harris and her husband but if, there won't be the traditional send-off we see with the former president, in this case donald trumping going his own way as the new president comes in. so, i'm wondering that is going to make it unusual, isn't it? >> unusual to put it mildly. as you watch former president clinton making his way off the west front of the capitol here this afternoon. unusual to put it very mildly. i mean what we saw earlier today before we got t. he is a few minutes behind schedule. he got over to joint base an draws. he gave a address to small group of family and supporters who were there. now president joe biden spent night presidential guest house, blair house, was scheduled to come out of blair house to head over to church but he waited, i took note for president trump to finish his remarks and get on what was still air force one going down to florida before coming out.

as i said a few minutes behind schedule but he gave that courtesy to president trump and he came out. then a few minutes after we had this really strange split screen of the president-elect at the time at church, st. matthews cathedral. the senate leadership was there with him, mitch mcconnell on republican side, attended church with now president biden and on the other side of the screen speaking of senator mcconnell, there he is with his wife elaine chao. the other side of the screen you had president trump flying away not attending the inauguration of his successor. you stop yourself a few times, so many odd things about the inauguration, as we watch so many festivities and ceremonyies we are used today, neil. the town is in proper downtown washington, deserted, surrounded by so many national guard troops. there is just almost nobody else

walking around other than members of media covering this and national guard. there are so many things seem out of place but over the last hour or so we watched so many ceremonies that are in place, that we've become used to watching. so kind of juxtaposition of those two things has been something to observe today. neil: connell, thank you very much. i want to bring my panel into this. before i do, you're normally waiting as people, those are of course on the dais departing are president obama, michelle obama, president clinton and others, i should point out there won't be a formal hand-off of power between the outgoing president and new president. outgoing vice president mike pence will be shown out of the capitol by kamala harris, his successor and her husband, now the second gentleman, doug inhofe. that will be a ceremony itself,

leave in separate vehicles. kamala harris and her husband will return, to up stays to the capitol saying good-bye to vice president pence and highest ranking trump administration official at this event. connell, when i think of that, see that, what transpired two weeks ago in this same building when vice president pence said at time i will not interfere in this electoral vote and challenge it, that earned him contempt of the president. a lot of those who ultimately stormed the capitol his role through that recognize constitutional order behaved for this day. >> you swear an oath to the constitution when you become president. united states or vice president

as mike pence, he held firm to thats as he makes his way down to the steps of capitol for the send-off you were describing. what a few weeks it has been for all of us, this vice president so loyal to the president whom he served for four years. but then at the end that relationship has clearly been fractured as now former president trump essentially asked his vice president to do something that he could not do under the powers that were vested in him by our constitution and that's to overturn the election that had already been certified by the states. the vice president, even after the siege on the capitol went forward with that certification. some kind words and laughs it appears being exchanged between these two couples, neil, before the send-off which is again, this is goes back to the normalcy of this day. obviously what we don't have is the normal exchange that we would see now between president biden and former president trump which would be you know, walking him out to marine one which

would have landed at the capitol as opposed to the south lawn of the white house. we have none of that today but we do have this. there goes the now former vice president. neil: we're so used to pageantry and these rituals that have become iconic and tradition. it is very ununusual to see the vice president in this role, the buildup seeing him depart but normally the former president goes, hearty handshake a slap on the shoulders but this is the first time the former president has not been with the incoming president since 1869. andrew johnson, who was in the same party as ulysses grant but couldn't stand each other at that point, he opted not to attend the, that inauguration. ulysses grant was fine for that. he didn't care for him. they were deeply divided on number of issues. that is the last time we've seen

anything like this. this is the modern media era. it is what it is. looking where we go right now. we have hans nichols, "axios" reporter, lee carter, republican pollster, lee, end it with you, thinking of mike pence now in the role of a former vice president, a high popular party figure after these tumultuous two weeks, how does his future look? he goes back to presumably indiana. what does it look like to you? >> my guess he will go on vacation. it has been a tough four years for him. certainly the last two weeks have been, i can't even imagine what he has been through. probably been a spiritual battle what is the right thing to do at this moment. i think his future looks bright. i think regardless of the future of the party, he, he stood by his values and by his character. he did what was right ultimately. that might not be the popular opinion among trump supporters but whatever the future holds

whether trump emerges or not, pence, there are many things he can do going into the future. i think he will play important role for the republican party, you can still be a conservative and work with the democrats. i think what the president did today by not sustaining, not showing up, by not transfer of power i think it's a mistake frankly. i think we need to see that republicans, democrats can come together. that we're not, you know at odds. we might disagree on policy, that we might disagree on what the best ideas are but ultimately we all love america and we want what is best for our country. so i think the vice president, he did the right thing. he should stand proud. i think there is any possibilities for his. neil: you know, hans nichols, when i look at this, still something to get used to, isn't it? we have our first female african-american, asian descent

vice president. we have a second gentleman, doug emhoff i don't know whether they signed off in got married 2014 when she was california attorney general. the whole world looking at it now. that is historic to state the obvious, but he is going to have to redefine a role, isn't he? >> i mean, among the challenges facing the biden administration, i don't mean to disparage, doug emhoff busy ask not at top of their list. when you listen to the president said there, he has a mix of optimism and caution. in my own mind i can't tell if that was optimistic speech or pessimistic one because he seemed to hit both notes. there wasn't a whole lot of details, not a lot of specifics. this wasn't a policy speech. not suggesting it should have been but basically about the tone that joe biden wants to set.

i think the biggest at least for me, aside from the moment of prayer, aside from the moment where he mentioned white supremacy from an inaugural address but he directly addressed trump supporters and said hear me out. so there are a lot of moving parts here that the biden administration is figuring out. what kamala harris' role will be inside, biden said she will be the last person she talks to. unclear if that will actually take place. as you mentioned, sort of the symbolism of this. just from my own perspective kind of like the end of the year you're still writing the date of last year on your checks, your notes, what have you, when you're a reporter writing this you always want to catch yourself, you always feel you write the last president in your lead and you're scared of that so i think the whole country will have to start getting used

to saying president joe biden and vice president kamala harris. neil: i do want to listen to this. bill clinton, hillary clinton are saying anything. can we dip into this, guys? [inaudible]. neil: all right. that didn't happen, did it? thank you, hans. lawrence jones, you know, i think inaugural addresses are sort of big picture dreams. there was lofty goals with joe biden how you specifically unite a country and get into the brass tacks being bold, get both sides together, talk to one another, kind of reminds me of john f. kennedy's inaugural address this day, when he broadly talked about a vision where we could be bold as a new generation of leadership was taking over this country. that asked not what your government can do for you, but what you can do for your country. ultimately led to the peace corps, some of these other initiatives, what from that address to law recognize, might have stood out, gotten a cue

where joe biden wants to take the country? every president talks about i'm a knew iter not a divider but every four years we still seem divided? >> yeah. you know, the speech had a lot to do with unity but then there was sprinkled in this suggestion that although he wanted to unify that the status quo or what they would argue of the last administration, the things would be done differently. that there was this aspiration to conduct themselves differently than the prior administration. but i think when i talk with conservatives, what does unity look like? you know, it is easy, this is the honeymoon phase. this is what we do as americans, we do pass the torch once we vote another president in. and so it is okay to be on our a spiritual high right now but

later on today, and i would contend tomorrow, the real work begins and rhetoric is one thing but how do you extend that hand? is this going to be a an administration undoes everything the past administration did through executive order? is there going to be that reach across the aisle to let those americans understand that voting for president trump, that you understand them based on the legislation, sure. you can say that you understand where they are from a policy standpoint and them being upset that their side lost but how do you really bring them to the table? second thing, neil, i think is an important is, seeing vice president pence do his job. remember this is a guy that has been in politics for years. he is a traditional conservative. but he is also one that respects the institution. this, this isn't anything new.

president trump was always the disruptor. some would argue the bad cop where as mike pence was the good cop, always on capitol hill to try to mend those fences, to say, the president is the bulldozer but i'm here to repair some things. and so i don't think it's although from a historical standpoint it was awkward not having the president of the united states there but from the way that president trump came to washington, it is really not surprising that he wasn't there and having mike pence do that duty. neil: you know, lee carter, i'm reminded you're good at polls, how people are feeling. two parties can't be further apart on joe biden. democrats overwhelmingly love him. republicans overwhelmingly don't think he should be there. three out of 10 recognize him as the duly-elected president.

that means the other seven out of 10 do not. that is a big gap to bridge. >> it's a huge gap to bridge and i think that the balance of biden's speech sort of acknowledged that. he said, you know, he talked about unity. he talked about a lot of people telling him it was a foolish fantasy. he knows this is really, really tough road ahead of him. it is not just because republicans have to accept him. because he also going to have to lead the democratic party to behave differently. it is not enough for republicans we'll listen to your message of unit now we realize we were wrong all of these years. democrats over the last four years, if you voted for trump, a racist, misogynist xenophobic at worse and at best, uneducated and dumb. we're expected to say unify come together i will fight for all americans. those are beautiful words but everybody needs to start behaving differently. the left needs to own up to their part of the problem as

well. it wasn't just donald trump. if it was donald trump that brought out the worst of democrats it still happened. they still called names. they talked about how evil trump was by proxy his supporters were. there is a lot of work to be done. not just policy but as speech. it has got to start, got to start with the left. they have control of presidency, the house and as a matter of fact. they will set the tone. if they want to work together it is really up to them. if they want to change the tone, they want to reach out, it is up to them now. they can't blame anyone else. i love the speech. i thought it was as good of a speech as joe biden could give but at end of the day they are words. meanings actions, have to follow and the rest of the party has to follow as well. neil: maybe the rest of the party too. this is for you, hans nichols of "axios," does the whole democratic party feel as some

luminaries on air, that all those trump supporters have to be reprogrammed because they're idiots? that is stumbling way out the gate to get the other guy's hand, right? >> make no mistake about it, there are forces within the democratic party that question republican assumptions, they question their intent and they question whether or not there is going to be any goodwill to cut sort of legislative deals that joe biden has talked about. that will be one of the central challenges of biden's presidency, not reaching out to republicans as he pledged to do, tamping down the anger in his party. joe biden really found his way to the nomination, found his way to the presidency by staying in that but the forces, the energy and realy the activism in his party is so clearly to the left of him. and how he manages that not just with kamala harris who may be thinking about 2024, but within his own congressional coalition,

is going to be a massive challenge. and remember, you know, joe biden didn't say anything about former president trump directly, but there wasn't anything on impeachable. and that is still a big question going forward, is what's joe biden going to do on impeachment? is he going to hand it off to the senate, is he going to send them any sort of signals because privately at axios what we're reporting is there's a great deal of concern in biden's inner circle about how to move forward on all the things he wants to do on covid or the 1.9 trillion as well as these desires from those on the left of his party that really want to see some sort of retribution or, in their words, accountability for president trump and his supporters. neil: you know, the issue with that the, lawrence jones, is the house passes this off to the senate; that is, the impeachment matter. with but at this time now they'd be taking this action against the former president, a lot of republicans -- some of whom would be fine with impeaching donald trump or convicting

him -- just or worry about the signal it sends and would prefer it not. do you think there's going to be any middle ground here, they just drop it here or clay censure him? -- they censure him? a lot of the people around joe biden, to hans' point, would prefer this because this could eat up a lot of time. i know many democrats have said, no, no, this could wrap unfairly quickly, but a trial does not wrap up quickly. >> my friend, when you first came to me, remember i was talking about the words versus action. the only way that they stop in the senate with this is if the new president of the united states tells them to. tells them that the moment is gone. president trump is no longer the president anymore. he is at mar-a-lago. there will be this mourning period, and we have work to do. and i think that's the problematic point that i've seen with a joe biden administration. he's going to have to decide, is

he going to please the progressives in his party, or is he going to do as he says, be a moderate and lead all of america? because i'm here to tell you there is a lot of trump supporters that disagree with what happened at the capitol two weeks ago. they disagree with it. but they do feel like this president, this now-former president wasn't given a fair shake and that he wasn't responsible for what happened at the capitol. it would build a lot of goodwill if he was to say, you know what, guys? knock it off, let's move forward, and let's focus on my first agenda item. how can i reach out to the other side. now, he may think that with the republicans that are there that supported this transition of power and they went to church together, the elephant in the room is a lot of them may not be

there that long because the identity of the republican party is changing. many of the people that represent the republican party that are there right now don't have the support of their own people. they feel forgotten yet with again. and joe biden can be that if he wants to, but he has to choose a side. he cannot straddle the fence. neil: you know, lee carter, to lawrence's point and with the dilemma for republicans, i'm just thinking as we saw former president bush get in his suv to leave the capitol, now bill and hillary clinton, they apparently both remarked four years ago after donald trump's inaugural address which was considered very dark at the time, in fact, george bush had more colorful language to say how confused he was by it. if you think about biden's 20 the, 21-minute address, it was more traditional. it was sort of less flashy.

not that there's anything wrong with that, but it was not, it was not a divisive speech, it's not an in your face speech, you know? it was not a torch-carrying speech. and i'm wondering if that is probably the first example of the change now in washington at the top. what do you think? >> i think it is. i think that speech was very, very authentic for joe biden. it was not a perfect speech, it wasn't poetry as we heard right after his speech, it was exactly who he is. you can imagine that -- i'm sure he didn't write it himself, but his hand was on the speech. and i think that he was much more of a realist. yes, an optimist. he's talking about unity in one of the most divisive times. he also said don't tell me things can't change. just look at what's on the stage right now, things can change. but i think that it set the tone

that he is realistic. he's optimistic, but he knows it's not going to be easy. and i think he's going to call people out. one of the things he said that i really, really liked is i give you my word, i will always level with you. just that language are is so plain spoken, but to me, because it's so plain spoken, it struck me as real, and i want to believe this. i'm hoping that this is the tone that he's going to set, he's going to continue on with as our president now. neil: very good point, lee. connell mcshane, to you and the tone that will be different in washington, maybe pendulum swings back to more traditional administration. i'm not talking about the politics of the administration or the agenda. this will be a very big government agenda that will be big on spending. if you think about it, connell, republicans and democrats have been very big on spending and piling up deficits and

department, so i don't think one could point to the other. but having said that, this return to daily press briefings, this return to a president who, we're told, might not be allowed cameras in the oval office that much and when you do see oval office activity, it will be for a very, very big speech and leave it at that. it will be less is more under a joe biden, again, returning to maybe the traditional view of chief executive. i don't know if that's good or bad, but maybe this speech signaled that's a signal. >> talking to the incoming press secretary scheduled to hold a briefing later today, into the evening, as a matter of fact, and i know some of our colleagues who come to the white house on a day in and day out basis have been kind of bracing for normalcy, if that makes sense, have been told to expect announcements of presidential edicts or trips or whatever the case may be for the white house press conference to maybe come a week in advance as opposed to an hour in advance as sometimes was the case under the trump administration.

so they are expecting to have to adjust to covering this new president if they weren't there when previous presidents were there the, to kind of go back to the future. so, yeah, there is definitely some of that. he's going to get right to work told, and i think to add to what some of your discussion has been with the panel here over the last few minutes, a lot of what will happen here over the next few weeks is a question of timing, right? we've talked about this so many times and in particular on the economy, which is what we focus on. janet yellen yesterday, in her hearing, confirmation hearing to be the next treasury secretary, thought -- struck a tone that probably made a number of people happy in the business world. see the dow jones industrial average, by the way, up i be some 240 plus points today. she really seemed to put the focus on growth rather than tax hikes. and that was a big question, one of many, but one of the big questions i know that the business community had coming in. so to get to that issue of timing, how much can you get

done when there's so much going on. is there an impeachment trial going on in the senate? well, what are you going to focus on. and if the new administration on the economic side at least focuses on growth and pushes off the tax cuts for a time just as president obama did in 2009, that will probably be received favorably. this is working on wall street. neil: yeah, i finished barack obama's book, and that was one of the things he seemed to regret, that he wasn't able to get taxes on the rich soon enough. felt that the, you know, that crowd, the rich crowd, could have absorbed it, and the economy would have come out of things just as well as it did. but, you know, connell, you touched on the market and the dow. it had a nice heady run under bill clinton and barack obama, the dow itself had a bigger advance. but i always thought what made trump's bull market remarkable

is that it was building on a bull market already. in the case of bill clinton and barack obama, the market had already been ravaged, so you almost -- you couldn't go anywhere but up after that. >> right. neil: and that legacy of donald trump's has been maybe lost on everybody with what's happened, the pandemic and all the other stuff, quite justifiably. but i do wonder that what preceded that for donald trump was a cut in regulations, a cut in taxes, and now we're going to undo a lot of those regulations that were cut. in other words, get more regulations. and we're going to raise taxes. not across the board, but we're going to raise them. and i'm wondered what that means to the market. if they're worried about it, to your point, connell, they have a funny way of showing it. is that an ongoing concern, or do they assume that it's going to be difficult for biden to raise taxes in this environment? >> i think both.

what you talked about in the end in terms of being difficult to get anything through a senate that is split 50-50 down the middle is going to be a difficult senate to maneuver around. but also to go back to what i mentioned a moment ago, i think many investors were encouraged by the janet yellen commentary yesterday that seemed to push off that as a priority to sometime down the road. but again, you know, we can't fool ourselves here, neil. i think you make the right point, that this is administration with progressive economic priorities that will at some point push not only for more spending -- which has, again, to your point, happened on both sides of the aisle -- but at some point they will push for higher taxes, and at some point that will be an issue for companies to deal with. because whatever you think of president trump, i don't think there's any doubt in anybody's mind that his legacy was forever changed on the 6th of january. but before all that and before the pandemic, especially early in his administration, there's also no doubt that his policies were business-friendly. that's what you heard from so many ceos and also so many small and medium-sized business owners who talked not only about the reduction in taxes which made it

possible for them to increase their profits, but i think more of them talked about the cuts in regulation. many of them, and we've been speaking, of course, to many of them for four years now, saw that as something that really got them rolling especially early in the trump administration. there was, you know, there was less red tape, and it was easier to get things done, and companies were making a lot of money. so if we do have a big sea change from that, yes, it would be concerning to business. but first of all, the timing it. may take a while. second of all, the congress being so split. it may never happen because it's difficult to get to 60 votes on anything, especially if you need it for a large tax package. and right now it seems like this new administration if, we'll see in the coming days, will put the priority on relief in terms of getting us out of this pandemic. what does that mean if from an economic basis?

means more spending. and if you're able to get maybe not $1.9 trillion, but even if you get $1.2 or 1.3 trillion, that could certainly help stock prices as well. neil: very well put. by the way, we could see actions on some of those efforts thatcom was outlining there by -- that connell was outlining there at something called a signing ceremony at the u.s. capitol. this actually goes back to the 1850s. i remember, because i started covering it then. [laughter] i didn't, some people say -- anyway, what this goes back to is an opportunity for the president when they expanded the south wing of the capitol. they had this room where the incoming president, as well as the outgoing president, could get the people -- the outgoing president, it was a chance to sign off on nominations or other pieces of legislation that they didn't quite get his seal of approval before leaving. for the incoming president, it's a chance to sign, you know, proclamations, to recognize memoranda and executive orders.

not all executive orders, but just some key ones. and it gives us the impression of a president in charge right away. every president since abraham lincoln has utilized this as a motion to rally the nation around a new guy now taking over, addressing some of these things. some of the more weighty executive orders, for example, if this president makes good on shutting down the keystone pipeline, even separating formally from the paste climate accord -- paris climate accord suspension if, in other words, to get back in that, that might be done in the oval office. we do the know as well after this ceremony -- and, again, it's morer ceremonial than anything else -- it's usually combined with a luncheon. they're canceling the luncheon this particular day, obviously, with the pandemic and everything else. they're trying to keep everyone at a distance. but that signing ceremony will still go on. we do understand that when president biden does arrive back at the white house in about two

hours, the first place he'll go is not to the residence, but to the oval office where he'll be signing a number of these orders. so let's get the read on what's in store. i believe, connell, you can still stay with me. we have elena trine of axios, james freeman, weed journal editorial -- "wall street journal" editorial page columnist, and the former democratic party chairman. elena, what do you see as far as the message that joe biden wants to send? i get the unity thing, because it kept coming up in his remarks. this is typical of that theme from his speech, joe biden talking about getting us all together. react to this. >> well, neil, unity matters, definitely, and everyone picked up on that and it's the same from his campaign. but really also that return to normalcy. it was a very different speech

that joe biden gave sod, now-president joe biden. a message of really healing but also normalcy of a return to someone who knows how to govern. he has been, he's a man of washington. he's been in washington for several years, he was in the senate for many, many years and knows how washington works. and i think at a time especially in these past few months where we've just seen really all different parts of american democracy upended, challenged, the attack on the capitol, of course, earlier this month, everyone is kind of craving that return to normalcy, and that's what he promised today. and also i think diversity was a massive, you know, theme of today. of course with now-vice president kamala harris being the first african-american vice president as well as an asian woman, but also we saw sonia sotomayor swear her in.

the people who performed, jennifer lopez, latina singer, so many people there today representing the many different colors that make up our country and our government. and very different, again, from what we saw back in 2016 with president trump. so i think they were drawing a stark the contrast while also trying to make that play to unity and to healing the nation and really that return to normalcy that he's been talking about for many months now. neil: indeed. there were references, at least 17 times, to unity, of working together. it was a constant theme in the president's inaugural remarks. to the "wall street journal," nothing that the president said today rattled the markets. obviously, they continue their winning ways characterized by how they've been since the election itself. so they welcome some of his initiatives. the spending part might worry

some who worry about debt, piling-up deficits, but the markets don't seem too rattled by that. what do you think of that? >> no, and i would echo what you've been saying, others have been saying. it was in many ways a very traditional address, a very reassuring message. it was fiercely patriotic. it was about god and country. i think a lot of americans appreciated that. as far as the markets, and if i was going to pig -- pick out issues in the speech and the biden program that are cause for concern, it is the casting of our situation as a crisis. in fact, a multilayered crisis. president biden and his team presented a covid crisis, an

economic crisis, a climate crisis all sort of rolled into one. and i think that spending, which over the last year has added trillions in debt to the u.s. balance sheet, that the idea that this is now going to actually ramp are up from here, i think, should give investors -- whether in bonds or stocks -- concern about the long term. we seem primed for a very good 2021, but this question of how far we can stretch the credibility of the u.s. dollar and the u.s. treasury before there is some sort of reckoning, i think, ought to be in the back of our minds. not necessarily a trading issue for this week, but going forward i think that should be a concern. neil: you know, i think tone counts for a lot, scott bolten, and having covered the president and, you know, certainly when he was vice president, as senator before that, his tone is one of calm. he wants to show, i think one column says that boring is cool again. if that's the case, then i'm the coolest guy on the planet. [laughter] having said that, scott, one thing i noticed here, he just wanted to reassure people that the drama is over. now, there are many trump loyalists who look at that and

see that as a slap. i just see it as a style the difference more than anything else just as the style of the john kennedy, a young, you know, a monowho could be his -- man who could be his predecessor's son, has come in to take the country in a new direction. this is sort of the inverse. what do you think? >> i think so. i think trump -- awed bombastic, how he dealt with his own party. that's a leadership style. but then when you look at joe biden who is much more calm -- [audio difficulty] as you said, but make no mistake, i do think that we have -- causing an economic crisis. and i think it's going to -- until we can get those vaccines out. and i think it'll be on --

[inaudible] there'll be normalcy, and it just feels more like that. it feels like -- i don't care if you're a democrat or republican, a big weight has been lifted off of all of the kind of chaos leadership that we've had. so i think biden is a good thing. but he'll be judged by his accomplishments. does he get his legislation through. i think the republicans in the house and senate, because trump -- [audio difficulty] than they were when he was in the white house. we'll have to see. america wants a solution and moving forward and get it back whether it's the economy or covid, get beyond the police reform, all these things. i think most americans want that done. and i think when you've got it so close in the senate and so close in the house, it's a real opportunity. it'll be up to republicans though to play ball, because the

democrats keep saying they're going to play ball. neil: well, they both say they're going to play ball a lot of times, and they end up playing their own ball, thank you finish. [inaudible] >> all three houses. neil: you should hear what the other side said about you. i'm joking. [laughter] we're looking outside this -- [laughter] we're looking outside this signing ceremony. not really a signing ceremony, just a perfunctory duty. a new president writes off on a number of things from executive orders, memoranda, you know, some nominations that might be taking place in the capitol. this is apart from cabinet nominations that might be going on. already we've had confirmation hearings for no fewer than five, in the next few days the rest of the president's picks to populate his cabinet will be going through there. he is technically coming into

office without a one ready to go. i believe the last time we saw something like that was when george w. bush took over the presidency. but again, we'll see how this process unfolds. i also want to let you know what's going on outside the capitol. i talked about the busyness inside, but outside they're still very much aware of keeping it secure. they're not having a parade as such, more virtual parade, but attention will shift outdoors to keep it safe for everyone. by the way, not just for today, the rest of inauguration day, but right through the end of the month. rich edson who's been reporting on that widening parameter, that widening field outside the capitol that now is at its widest point, i guess ever, rich, how do things look now? >> reporter: good afternoon, neil. we're a couple of blocks away from the capitol building close to the security perimeter staffed by national guard members and capitol hill police, federal police officers, barbed wire, 7-foot-tall fences, and

that is something that is repeated all throughout the capitol building and all throughout the nation's capital. down by the national mall, down by the white house. it is the most significant security presence, they say, they have ever had in washington for an inauguration. so there really is no typical parade, none of the big crowds that we're used to for inauguration day part because of security, part because of the pandemic. when you look at what's going on here though a couple of blocks from the capitol without having a badge or a credential or being part of the protection force, this is what you have, a few hundred people who have been milling around here close to the capitol building. most are biden supporters. there are a few anti-biden folks, different people who are protesting with different causes, immigration, anti-abortion, and then just a whole lot of media from all around the world are here at this location just trying to get a sense of what's going on in

the nation's capitol for our inauguration here. what you've also got is a massive closure in downtown washington d.c. so this perimeter extends all the way with out west, all the way through the national mall, all the way by the white house. and then that security perimeter even beyond that there are massive restrictions all throughout downtown washington d.c. you can barely really drive your car around here. and that has created a whole mess of traffic right outside of that. beyond that, though, today the federal government, if you're a federal employee and you live and work in the d.c. area, this is a holiday for you. they don't even want you coming in. they've closed the bridges coming into the city or most of the bridges coming into d.c. you've also got massive closures on the metro system here, more than a dozen metro rail stations are closed. that's expected throughout -- that's scheduled to happen today, all the way through tomorrow. so they've really stepped up the security. they want people staying out of d.c. for the most part, most folks is have listened, neil, but you do

have some folks down here. we will also point out right outside the security perimeter both near the capitol and then a little bit farther away, there are a couple of pizza joints. they have been walking out, the national guard, with just pizza boxes stacked like this for the last week. so go long on pizza places because of all this. neil: all right, my friend. i always love some of the little angles you get on your reports. rich edson, in the middle of all of this. back to the signing ceremony, i do want to let you know among some of the things that we are understanding the president will seen off on today, whether he does it here or at the oval office where he'll be in a couple of hours, is to rejoin the world health organization, extend relief and pauses in student loan payments and those behind on their rent, rejoin the paris climate accord and end donald trump's 1776 commission, then reverse the plan to exclude noncitizens from the census count. there are about a dozen of them.

let's listen in to see if the president is saying anything on any of them. my timing is impeccable, america. you're welcome. all right, the view right now from the united states capitol. again, this is more perfunctory than anything else. it has been very well telegraphed that joe biden would undo at this stage the very executive orders that donald trump undid of barack obama's who undid, by executive order, a good many of the policies of george w. bushment and so it goes -- bush. and so it goes. a little bit more than the normal number from joe biden including some others that i might have left out, this continued protection for liberians living in the united states as well as reversing the travel ban for several muslim-majority countries. that is something that the president had wanted to sort of ease off of but so far not happening right now with this president. as well as some of the other

measures where the president, this president was saying the idea to lift travel restrictions that had been in effect for some european countries would be, you know, followed by biden's or not. in other words, he is reversing that policy that was instituted only two days ago by donald trump. so back with alayna treene of axios, lawrence jones is with us, james freeman. lawrence are, this is a new one, a new guy comes in and rips up a lot of the policies of the old guy. so we're seeing that play out. the far more significant developments will be whether sweeping measures like joe biden's $1.9 trillion covid stimulus plan can pass muster in congress. what are you hearing on that front? because that is where the heavy lifting begins. >> yeah, neil. before we get to that, i can't

help but kind of smirk because, you know, as you were going to the now-president, i was expecting some comments. and that's because we've gotten so used to with the former administration, president trump didn't use the media or his press secretary a lot. it was more of him talking directly, and pre-donald trump other presidents of both parties didn't really, you didn't really get that much access to the presidents. i thought that was a little funny, waiting for that moment of this back and forth, pointing to the people behind you to give comments on something that you signed. but to your point on this covid relief package, you know, i think because of what happened in the election that you're going to see a lot of movement on, of the covid package no matter how much money is in it. i think a lot of people not only blame the former president for the loss in georgia, but because of the republicans that kind of stalled that covid relief bill

for $2,000 to the american public. so i think that's going to go pretty fast. i think the questions do remain you didn't keep pumping money out there, but you've eventually got to open up the country and give people a fighting chance. and although there seems to be some optimism from the stock market and wall street on a potential package and what yellen said yesterday, when it comes to people at home the money that they're planning on giving is simply not enough. so, again, you've got to give people a fighting chance, and right now they can keep pumping money out to these folks, but it's not going to be enough to offset government closing down and not allowing them to provide for themselves. neil: you know, also, lawrence, i was thinking about it, it's that relationship that joe biden's going to have with the

leadership in congress. i mean, i know right now he's still speaking to nancy pelosi in that signing room. and i'm thinking that it's nancy pelosi and donald trump who haven't talked to each other since the october before last. and i'm wondering how that changes the tone. >> well, he knows -- neil: and where you see it going. >> yeah. so i think it's important to go back in time. you know, the relationship before donald trump even got to washington was different because, remember, he was the businessman before that gave to all politicians. and just by sake of him telling them, look, i gave you money, this is what i need you to do. and i think he brought that same style the washington as well. and he wasn't an insider, he was a guy that was a special interest, right?

and this time he would make the argument that he was a special interest for the people. now you've got joe biden who's a washington insider. i mean, the guy's been in politics since he was 30, and he knows these guys. and so i do think there's a different style in negotiating. the problem is that we still have divided government. sure, it's split 50-50 in the senate and, sure, there's a slim majority for the democrats in the house, but i think although we want to celebrate this occasion when we've got a new president, they're already running for mid materials right now -- midterms right now. and there is a slim majority in the house right now. remember, the republicans gained 24 seats. so he is going to deal with them differently. he knows them all. he's been friends with them all, and so there won't be this public scuffling. but the question is are they going to be able to get things done for the american people.

and right now there's an identity crisis going on with the republic about what they're going to fight for for the people back at home. because remember are, they're mad as hell right now. neil: very good point. by the way, we are getting our first tweet from joe biden. i don't know if he'll be doing this a lot, but he says there is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crises we face. that's why today i'm heading oval office to deliver immediate relief for american families. ahead of that, there is still some of the pomp and ceremony, not nearly as much pomp and not nearly as much ceremony. certainly some outside the capitol, but it is fair to say, you know, the british troop loyalists that sort of ring back to our colonial days, there might be more in that crowd we'll be watching on constitution avenue or pennsylvania avenue. hillary vaughn is following what is next right now outside the capitol for the 46th president of the united states. hillary. lay out what he's planning to do

now. >> reporter: so right now, neil, president biden and vice president harris are still at the capitol. they're engaging in a number of mini ceremonies throughout the capitol where remarks are being made from there. from there they're going to arlington national ceremony where they will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. and after that they officially will receive the presidential escort to the white house for the very first time as president biden and vice president harris. and if at that time -- and at that time, we do know that biden plans to sign a number of educationtive orders and actions that -- executive orders and actions that he promised he would do, and he's following through on that in the first few hours once he gets into that oval office. those range from rejoining the world health organization, reversing the muslim ban, establishing a 100-day mask challenge, efforts to extend the pause on student loan payments and also a number of actions on

immigration including reinforcing daca, stopping the building and the construction of the wall, reversing the muslim ban as well. but in addition to all of those actions, neil, he also has sent a bill over to congress here on immigration. it's a wide-ranging immigration proposal that includes several paths to citizenship for illegal immigrants here if they meet certain criteria. that is a promise that he made, and that is a promise kept. and now we wait to see how he gets that bill through congress. but either way he's using a number of executive actions. and then also we are expecting the first white house briefing from press secretary jen psaki at 7 p.m. tonight, and after that there's going to be an inaugural ceremony and a lot of pomp and circumstance and celebration this evening as well as they spend their first evening in the white house.

neil? neil: yeah. obviously, the pandemic, that's another thing, no traditional parade, none of that, right? >> reporter: no, mostly virtual. there will be virtual celebrations and a virtual parade, if you will, of people joining and tuning in online and sharing from where they are. of course, we have spotted a few lingering supporters here, but this scene is very different for biden because, of course, he knows what it looks like to be here on the west front of the capitol on inauguration day getting inaugurate as vice president twice, looking out at the national mall seeing millions of people. i think 1.8 million people turned out to then-president obama's inauguration. and he's used to seeing a lot of people here, and that absence was certainly felt here, and it was indicated in his tone and in his remarks as well, neil. one quick point i'll make, he campaigned on unifying the country and healing these deep divisions. i think in his address he really

went further than he ever has to appeal to some in his own party, appealing to liberals and conservatives really to just get along saying, essentially, if he comes into office he wants -- as he comes into office, he wants everyone to have a fresh, clean plate and a fresh start, and we'll see if he gets that chance as president. neil? neil: all right. they're coming out of these mini ceremonies they're doing across the capitol, to hillary's point. susan crabtree, real clear politics national correspondent. susan, we always talk about the new tones for a president onlying in -- coming in. he's not had the opportunity to put actions together here, but when we see a lot of the leadership in the house and senate emerge if, how do you think this relationship will go with the new president? >> well, first, i wanted to say that the speech, i thought, was sort of a pep rally, a little

bit of a sermon, a traditional inauguration speech. it was a little bit a message of resilience that our nation can heal not only from the pan deming -- pandemic, but from the deep divisions that were on display at the capitol two weeks ago. and he is a good person from this message. someone from very humble beginnings who had to recover from so many personal tragedies of his own. i think no matter what you think about joe biden, that character trait, pulling yourself up from your bootstraps again is a very admirable quality and very american, and it's a quality that is perfect to meet this moment. or in terms of how, whether his colleagues, his democratic colleagues share that passion that he displayed for unity, the call on all of us that we're all responsible, we will be judged by this moment whether we come together as a nation or not, it doesn't seem like that they are onboard with that.

when you hear people, speaker pelosi talking about donald trump supporters as traitors and seditionests and moving forward the articles of impeachment, yesterday you had senator mitch mcconnell saying, you know, blaming squarely donald trump on the division and the violence and the attack on the capitol. and we are waiting to see whether -- huh 40 he will signal to his conference whether he's going to vote for impeachment, and that will sort of -- the floodgates will be open if he votes for other republicans to vote for impeachment too. and i don't see how that really meets the message of his speech. it's very easy to talk about unity, it's very hard, as biden said, one of the hardest parts of our democracy is unity. so the test -- the proof will be in the pudding. neil: yeah. james freeman, i don't know if

joe biden has anything to say. let's listen in here. >> vice president and the second gentleman. normally at this time we have a lunch, and probably no person alive has attended more of those lunches than president biden has. it's an important moment where it's bipartisan, it's the time to bond between the executive and the legislative branch of the government. we probably don't need as much bonding because we already have that natural bonding with you and the traditions here. by those traditions usually there's a painting at the front of that event that the chairman picks. this time not knowing you were going to have an event and what we were going to do about an event, i asked dr. biden to help pick the painting, and this is the one that she recommended. the painting is landscape with rainbow. rainbow, always a good sign. it's loaned to us for today from

the smithsonian american art museum. the artist, robert sheldon duncanson, he was the best known african-american painter in the years surrounding the civil war. he was based in cincinnati, encouraged by abolitionists who, among other things, sponsored a trip for him to do a some study in europe. this is a painting that he painted in 1859, and i think maybe it's sort of the classic america as a paradise painting that a lot of painters were doing then. but for him, a black artist painting this painting that's so much like an american utopia on the verge of a war that we would fight over slavery, makes all of that, i think, even more interesting and that while he faced lots of challenges, obviously was optimistic even in

1859 about america. and so, dr. biden, thanks for helping select this painting and glad to have all four of you here as we move on to my good friend senator klobuchar. >> [inaudible] >> the rainbow is always a good sign. >> [inaudible] >> let's hope so. >> thank you. >> thank you. [applause] [background sounds] >> good? mr. president, first lady, madam vice president and our very first second gentleman, on behalf of the american people, it is our honor to present these custom made crystal vases commemorating your historic inauguration, lennox, which you know is a great company, american company, has hand

crafted these gifts for the past nine presidential inaugurations. it is a good thing i don't have to hand them to you personally, they each weigh with the base 32 pounds, but combined 64. but jill, i know, is very strong and could take them both. >> [inaudible] >> exactly. [laughter] but the lennox company is actually based in bristol, pennsylvania, which you know, mr. president, is a mere 132 miles from scranton. since we know today all roads lead to scranton. the team at lennox has worked for months to capture the spirit of this inauguration and your incoming administration. mr. president, your vase features the white house, and harris' features the u.s. capitol. the gifts represent the hope and the faith the american people have placed in you to move our country forward. >> thank you so much. >> thank you. [inaudible conversations] >> thank you.

[applause] [background sounds] >> well, mr. president, madam vice president, while the pandemic has, sadly, limit our usual hospitality as others have mentioned, i'm very glad we till carry on some of our favorite inaugural traditions. it's my honor and privilege to help present these flags of our nation that were flown over today's event here at the capitol. i have to make one point of personal privilege. on behalf of the senate, with all due respect to our distinguished speaker and our colleagues from the house, i

have to note not only did we just swear in a son and daughter of the senate to these houses, but indeed, both these former senators skipped the house altogether. [laughter] the star-spangled banner is our greatest symbol of our endurance of the american idea. it flies over this building on triumphant days and on tragic ones. over all factions and if all parties. and today this flag flew over our former colleague's inauguration as the very first female vice president of the united states. so to our very distinguished former colleague, madam vice president, please accept this flag with the highest compliments and congratulation of the united states -- congratulations of the united states senate. [applause]

>> the distinguished leader of the senate pointed out that he has hosted this lunch for members of the senate who have become president and vice president. but i have the privilege of giving a flag to the president of the united states, the flag that was flown when you were sworn in, mr. president. this flag may be -- all that is said about your inauguration. america united. may it be a symbol of the hope, the healing and the, just all of the enthusiasm that you have for our country. and as we heard the beautiful national anthem, when we're at the stadium and they say is our

flag still there, then you say play ball. right there. play ball. is so we're going to get ready to play ball. we're ready to go with the inspiration of our flag flying. but again, on behalf of a the house of representatives, it is my privilege to extend to you the flag that was flown the moment, the early moment that you were sworn in as president of the united states. thank you, mr. president. thank you, dr. biden. thank you. if we had the lunch, we would have had california wine, is that not right? [laughter] madam vice president, mr. emhoff, congratulations. with liberty and justice for all. thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations]

>> hey, man. long time no see. >> congratulations, mr. president. >> thank you. [inaudible conversations] >> modern technology, right? >> president biden, vice president harris, dr. biden and mr. emhoff, on behalf of the republican caucus, congratulations. very proud of you both. when president washington was sworn in as the first president of the united states, only a handful of people saw the ceremony or heard the famous first inaugural address. today the inauguration is seen around the nation and, indeed, around the world. yet the task facing the nation

is no less momentous than it was in washington's time. i listened to your speech today. you talked about the tension and division. our task as leaders is to bind this nation's wounds and dedicate ourselves to the values that all americans share together. with modern technology, just a few minutes ago it was captured in these pictures. history in the making for all the world to see. this picture should serve as a reminder of that task that we have before us. as a very proud son of california, it is my honor to present to the very proud daughter of california as well. today vice president harris made history, and all of america should celebrate that. but we should also remember that this is not the end, but just the beginning. as leaders, we are judged not by our words, but by our actions. so let's go forth from here

together, accomplish great things for the american people. and every time you look at this photo, remember the beginning of the job we have to do. congratulations. [applause] >> madam vice president, mr. emhoff, dr. biden, mr. president -- no, joe, you're mr. president. and we are so proud of that -- dr. biden, he makes you call him mr. president? [laughter] marriage is about to get rocky, i can tell. [laughter] on behalf of the joint congressional committee on the the inaugural ceremonies, i too am proud -- more than that, i'm ecstatic -- to present the two of you this picture. a testament to technology.

a testament to history. mr. president, in your speech you talked about faith, you talked about tribulations, but you talked about victory. the johnson brothers wrote a great hymn. you know it well, mr. president. today we have a new day. and that hymn came out of faith and out of deep trouble into hope. and they said facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on til victim's won. victory's won. that's what your speech was about, and that's why we are so proud and ready to march with you, president biden. god bless. [applause]

[inaudible conversations] [laughter] >> thank you. >> mr. president. >> thank you. [inaudible conversations] >> thank you. >> you bet, thank you, everyone. [applause] neil: all right. that kind of had a feel good -- but, no, part of the pageantry and tradition of these quadrennial events we call inaugurations here. what amazed me is that the blown-up, large-sized photos of the inauguration that had only

taken place a little more than an hour ago. i might see mine in a week, but that's the power of washington and what can happen in that capitol especially if you're the new president of the united states, the vice president of the united states. they get blown-up images, like, instantly. this is all part of the camaraderie between the parties and the institutions to recognize the safe, the peaceful transfer of power here. we're already getting indications from the white house press secretary that she's in the white house doing her job already. her boss will be there a little bit over an hour. let's get the read on all of this. you know, connell mcshane, when i look at some of the traditions that go with this, a lot of people might think it's a little -- and all that, but it is a reminder of how the various branches of government of both parties are wedded to tradition. and something that is -- >> right. neil: and i think that's very reassuring. i don't care whether you are, i

know there's a great deal of bitterness here, but that continuity, it's something that is very uniquely american. you think about where we were two weeks ago at this very building, it is stunning. >> it was. that's exactly what i was thinking almost that entire time was that this is the same exact building that was sieged and stormed by this mob on the 6th of january, and here we are in the 20th of january not only swearing in a new president, the west front of the capitol, but going through these ceremonial signings at first, three documents that the president signed when he was in what they refer to as the president's room in the capitol. he signed the first, an inauguration day proclamation, followed by nominations to both cabinet positions and the third was the subcabinet positions. we watched that live. but then going to, i believe, four different locations to pick up the inaugural gifts there with the picture at the end. no truth to the river, by the

way -- rumor that ken mccarthy -- kevin mccarthy and steny hoyer were spotted in line at the one-hour photo. [laughter] this will be kind of the final portion of the ceremonial swearing in and inauguration of the new president. once he goes out the east front doors and emerges onto those steps, he will review the troops. it's the, it's called the review of the readiness of our military troops and all branches of the united states military will be represented for that. so once that ceremonial portion is over, president biden will be escorted to the presidential limousine known, of course, as the beast, motorcaded across the river to arlington national cemetery where the other presidents who were at the inauguration will join him as they lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown. that's what you're seeing now, neil, everybody coming out of the east front doors of the capitol for the review of the

troops. neil: got it. i want to bring in james freeman, "wall street journal." james, we've been noting here, of course, the markets proceeding along very nicely through all of this, maybe hoping, you know, that things get done. they always hope things get done. in a couple of ways, they don't want certain things they might not like to get done, but one of those that will happen, it seems, as we're getting word that joe biden is not pulling back his intention to get tax hikes through on the rich and boost the corporate rate up to 28% from 21%. that is not changing. there had been some talk that maybe he would shelf that in light of what's happening with the economy and everything else, but apparently he's going to go through with that. what do you think? >> you know, i think if you're an investor, you're probably hoping that he doesn't get a lot done. the economy's kind of primed to roar, and i think that's one of the reasons, along with all of the money that the federal reserve has pushed into the system, that stocks are historically so expensive right

now. you have the dow around 30 times earnings, s&p 500 around 40 times earnings. that means there are expectations of a great 2021, a great 2022. the threat is that boldnesses that mr. biden spoke of, president biden spoke of is going to be reflected in big taxing and big spending. and on the tax side especially, tax foundation this week saying that if you combine the proposed obama increase in the corporate tax rate with the -- excuse me, biden increase in the corporate tax rate with the proposed biden increase on individual taxes in terms of dividends and capital gains, you're talking about the a top overall tax rate on corporate profits of somewhere north of 60% when you count all the federal, state and local burdens there. now, that is a huge amount. it is a, it would be a historic

high. and i think that not only will give investors pause, but i think it ought to give the biden team pause as they consider how far they want to go implementing those, those campaign thoughts on people paying their fair share. putting us at the highest corporate income tax rate in the industrialized world, i think, is going to strike many people as much more than fair share. and, of course, workers end up paying a lot of the tax bill when you apply it to companies. neil: very good point. by the way, as we're watching this military-related review outside the capitol for the newly-inaugurated president and the vice president, we should point out that there are more people marching than will be watching here outside the capitol or certainly outside the white house. it's tight as a drum. security's been extra tight. want to explore this a little bit with robert charles, former bush 41 staffer, bush 43

assistant secretary of state. secretary, certainly not like any inauguration we've seen in our lives here, and i'm just wondering what you make of how it's gone thus far, you know, knock on everything here that nothing up toward or scary -- untoward or scary. we hope it stays that way for the remainder of the day. what do you think? >> well, i think this is the 13th inauguration that i have lived through and seen, and i think there's great comfort in the ritual. but the truth is i'd like to believe this is not the apex of unity. it doesn't deinvolve from here, that -- devolve from here, that it somehow does come back together and sort of heals like a wound heals. we've got a tough moment here. on the one hand, the military calls this a cog moment where you see the continuation or the continuity of operations in the government and you're happy about that. but we still have a divided nation, neil, and it's divided not just about candidates, it's

divided in ideas. and, actually, you have two parties that are themselves divided. so i think we have a rough kind of road ahead. to kind of crab rate what your -- corroborate what your last guest said, i'd like to believe that the president focuses his entire energy on essentially three things. one is kind of getting away from identity politics which tend to be divisive generally. second, making clear that political violence does not work on the left or the right and it's not american. and finally, letting the economy go. because really the strength of america is, as he said -- but actions speak on one hand i'm hopeful because i think you have to be hopeful, you have to move beyond where we are and it's great to see these rituals and traditions which are a reflection of the past which hope will refract into the future and it's a moment of high test. i'm not sure, i'm not sure what comes next. i think we'll be tested from outside as well as inside. we need to hold together.

neil: secretary, you had relationships, worked closely not only with george bush, sr. but of course his son. both left notes on the way out of office for their successors. obviously wishing them well, hoping they could heal the country if they needed any help, could count on it. despite all the acrimony with donald trump and joe biden donald trump left a note in the resolute desk for his successor. does that surprise you? >> no. i think in his heart of hearts donald trump would like to be a traditional lift, deconstructionist, not that way. ronald reagan left a note for george herbert walker bush, said, george, don't let the turkeys get you down. it would be nice if trump left a note for biden, like one nation under bod and keep the faith.

i hope in the future, these two men, rightly, they believe different things and they differ with one another strongly on those things but it would be nice to see the two of them together. because i think average americans, no matter the strength of their emotional connection to the recent election and cycle, i think they would like to believe that the future of the country is actually filled with opportunity and hope just the way biden suggested. frankly the way that president trump suggested on his way out. but the truth is always, you know, the proof is in the pudding. the truth is that we're going to have to see whether we can live up to the great words we offered forward. i think while we're not in a time like the civil war, this is not a civil war, we are at a time of enormous acrimony, personal recrimination and a sense of distrust and i think it will be a burden on this president to show time and again he will not be partisan, he will reach across find ways to build with half of america that are

more conservative than he is. neil: well-put. secretary, thank you very much. good seeing you again. this military review, this quadrennial tradition continues with all the changes, even after all the concerns from two weeks ago, our nation thrives. that will do it. now to charles payne. hey, charles. charles: hey, neil. neil, thank you very much. good afternoon, everyone, i'm charles payne. this is "making money." breaking right now -- >> this is america's day. this is democracy's day. a day of history and hope. i will be a president for all-americans, all americans. charles: president joe biden focusing his inaugural speech on the theme of unity and hope. while words do indeed matter, deeds matter more. some are worried that the new agenda might derail the