In President Biden’s Inaugural Address, he highlighted six of the U.S.’s main crises. These include, racism, growing inequality, climate change, America’s place in the world, attack on truth and democracy, and of course the coronavirus. Biden took action on day one passing about thirty executive actions. The question remains, how will President Biden address these crises? 

Here is a look at how President Biden is trying to make immediate progress:

Inequality and racism

The Biden Administration plans to attempt to reduce economic and racial inequality in America. This will require congressional legislation, however, with a democratic majority in both the House and Senate these measures will most likely be passed. On his first day, Biden extended moratoriums on evictions and student-loan payments that the Trump Administration established, and also ordered federal agencies to root out racially unequal policies.

There is great evidence from economists that tearing down barriers to advancement for men of color and women of all races fueled huge amounts of growth in the United States in decades past. This is the sentiment that will drive progress for inequality and racism that runs rampant across the nation. As for immigration, Biden sought to repeal several of Trumps xenophobic policies. Lastly, President Biden refocused deportaiton efforts on individuals who were undocumented and who have committed crimes. (New York Times) 

Climate Change

Biden signed two executive orders that addressed the changing climate. One of them recommitted the United States to the Paris climate agreement. The other order reversed the Trump Administrations hostility to environmental regulations. In his Inaugural Address, President Biden noted, “A cry for survival comes from the planet itself, a cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear.” (NPR) The Biden Administration believes that reversing the majority of the Trump Administration’s actions are a significant way to make progress. Greenhouse gasses are causing so much danger to not only the United States, but the world. In order to help this cause, the Biden Administration and Congress will need to take more ambitious steps to help climate change. 

Foreign Policy

Aside from rejoining the Paris climate accord, President Biden also recognized the importance of embracing the World Health Organization. In order to improve the U.S. image in comparison to the world, Biden immediately repealed the Trump policy of a “Muslim travel ban.” This policy restricted people with passports from Muslim majority countries like Ira, Syria, and Yemen from entering the U.S. President Biden inherits Trump’s trade war with China and national security challenges with Russia. As of now, it is unknown how and when the Biden Administration will address these pressing issues. (Foreign Policy) https://foreignpolicy.com/

Democracy and Truth

President Biden stressed the importance of truth in American society throughout his Inaugural Address. Biden’s press secretary, Jen Psaki said: “There will be moments when we disagree… but we have a common goal, which is sharing accurate information with the American people.”

He pledged unity in his speech, but also warned that truth and face must come first. 

Despite all of the controversy President Biden chose to address the validity in the election and the glorious process that it is. He said, “The people, the will of the people, has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.” It will be fascinating to observe what the Biden Administration chooses to do in order to protect the fundamental truths of America and the “will of the people.” 

The Coronavirus

President Biden signed an executive order which required masks where the federal government has the authority to. For example, all federal buildings will now have a mandatory mask policy as they are under the federal government. In a separate order, President Biden created a White House position designed to focus on improving the government’s response to COVID-19. He also planned to halt the U.S.’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization. As President Biden perceives it is imperative to coordinate with other countries in order to combat the virus, he sent Dr. Anthony Fauci to the WHO’s meeting. Biden further noted that his national strategy on the coronavirus was drafted by experts and doctors like Dr. Faucci. 

In a conference Biden says, “We’re in a national emergency. It’s time we treat it like one. Together, let us implement the national plan as the United States of America.”Moving forward, the Biden administration will continue to address COVID-19 and its deadly effects on the American people. (The Hill) 

Overall, Americans must observe how the Biden administration continues to address these issues. President Biden said, “Any one of these will be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is, we face them all at once. We will be judged – you and I – by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era.”