A look back at the first weeks of the Biden Administration.

Since the inauguration of newly-elected U.S. President Joe Biden, a surge of activity has taken place inside the White House.

Thanks to official White House photographers, whose job it is to document history in the making, a look behind the scenes is but a click away.

 

A chronological glimpse into the first weeks of the Biden presidency reveals a new First Family setting nicely into the People’s House and readjusting to White House life.

One of the first things President Joe Biden did was sign a flurry of executive orders on a variety of pressing issues including immigration, the pandemic, climate change, equality and the economy.

 

While getting up to speed on national security, vaccine distribution, the economic challenges caused by COVID-19 shut-downs, and many other issues, President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their staff members moved immediately to address the nation’s most pressing concerns.

 

There were more executive orders to sign and cabinet appointments to be made. On January 22, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the commission for Lloyd Austin to become the nation’s first black Secretary of Defense.

 

President Joe Biden also had the duty of reaching out to other world leaders.

Biden’s long experience in politics, and his eight years experience as Vice President, have allowed him to hit the ground running. At home and abroad, the President is well-known for his diplomacy and ability to forge compromise between opposing parties.

 

 

The first weeks haven’t been all work for the First Family, however.

Much has been made in the media of the First Pets. The Bidens’ two dogs, Major and Champ, in addition to being the First Pets, are also the first pets to occupy the White House since the Obamas departed the residence.

 

 

Even as the First Pets have made the White House their home, work has continued apace within the Oval Office.

One major addition to Biden’s flurry of executive orders was his January 25th order to reverse the Trump Administration’s ban on transgendered people serving in the U.S. military.

January 25th was a banner and historic day at the White House as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was also sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris.

 

That same day, President Joe Biden unveiled his administration’s push to “Buy American”.

With his “Buy American” initiative, President Biden hopes to boost the flagging U.S. manufacturing industry. During his campaign, Biden often assured his supporters in manufacturing centers that he would help bring American manufacturing back from a decades-long decline.

 

On January 26, the Biden Administration, and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, unveiled plans to advance racial equity in the U.S. From fair housing to an end to for-profit prisons, the plan was lauded by criminal and social justice reform advocates.

 

In the following days, as in the previous ones, there were more executive orders to sign.

 

President Biden took a short break from his duties in the Oval Office on January 29th to visit with the patients and staff of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and tour the facility.

 

As February began, and with it the first full month of the Biden Administration, President Biden and administration officials moved quickly to harness the momentum of the first 30 days.

 

 

Addressing urgent issues like immigration and health care, the Biden Administration spent a very busy day on Febru

COVID-19 continues to wreck havoc across the nation, and with new strains emerging, the Biden Administration has spent a good deal time of time during its first days addressing the crisis. The consultation of public health experts has been a cornerstone of President Biden’s approach to the pandemic.

 

There have been sad duties for the President and First Lady as well, including attending a memorial for Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed during the riot at the U.S. Capitol in January.

 

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have also spent a good deal of time meeting with leadership Democrats from the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as with new cabinet members.

 

 

 

After a very busy first two weeks in the White House, President Biden returned to his house in Wilmington, Delaware on February 5th.

 

Like so many others in America, the President spent Super Bowl Sunday watching the big game. He also took the opportunity to phone U.S. Military service members currently serving overseas.

 

This may not be Biden’s first stay in the White House, but if his first 20 days are any indication, the next few months are going to be exciting ones. With new actions by the Biden Administration every day, there may be hope for 2021 yet.

(contributing writer, Brooke Bell)