Look, you all know we’ve been through so much in this nation. As my first act as President, I’d ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer to remember all those we lost in the past year of pandemic, those 400 thousand fellow Americans, moms and dads, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, friends, neighbors and co-workers. We’ll honour them by becoming the people and the nation we know we can and should be. I ask you, let’s say a silent prayer for those who lost their lives and those who were left behind for our country. Amen.

Folks, this is a time of testing. We face the attack on democracy and on truth. A raging virus, growing inequality, ------ criticism,(?) a climax of crisis, America is wrong all the world. Anyone of these may not be able to challenge us in profound ways? But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting the nation with one of the gravest responsibilities we’ve had.