Biden calls for restoration of 'decency' in virtual appointee swearing-in

Source:-Newzee

U.S. President Joe Biden told hundreds of appointees to his new administration on Wednesday (January 20) that he expects them to restore the "decency" missing during the four years of President Donald Trump's tenure.
Biden made his comments at a virtual swearing-in ceremony for the nearly 1,000 appointees.
"We have to restore the soul of this country and I'm counting on all of you to be part of that. And it's not hyperbole. The only thing I expect with absolute certitude is honesty and decency," he said.
Biden was sworn in as the 46th U.S. president earlier on Wednesday at an inauguration at the U.S. Capitol.
Shortly after being sworn in he signed 15 executive actions, undoing policies put in place by Trump and making his first moves on the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.
Speaking later to the new appointees, Biden told them they have a real chance to enact change.
"History is going to measure us and our fellow Americans will measure us by how decent, honorable and smart we've been in terms of looking out for their interest," he said. "You know, to contain a pandemic…and to rescue an economy."
Before conducting the swearing-in via video link, Biden reminded them of their duty to treat each other with decency, and warned them they would be fired if they do not.
"If you're ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot," he said. "Everybody, everybody is entitled to be treated with decency and dignity. That's been missing in a big way for the last four years."
Biden takes office at a time of deep national unease, with the country facing what his advisers have described as four compounding crises: the pandemic, the economic downturn, climate change and racial inequality.
After a bitter campaign marked by Trump's baseless allegations of election fraud, Biden's inauguration speech earlier in the day struck a conciliatory tone rarely heard from Trump.