Joe Biden is now president of the United States

By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas Correspondent

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States of America during a constitutionally-mandated inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2021.

The democrat takes control of the federal government after the now-former Republican President Donald Trump presided over a controversial four-year presidential term. For instance, Trump implemented tariffs in an ill-advised trade war with China, directly impacting shipping companies and manufacturers on both ends.

Biden won the majority of the US Electoral College with 306 electoral votes for the new president, versus 232 electoral votes for Trump.

The election took place in November of 2020 and resulted in a series of voter fraud accusations from the far-right camp that supported Trump, and the threats of domestic terrorist action against the incoming presidency of Biden.

Vice President Kamala Harris replaced former Republican incumbent Michael Pence, as well.

Biden’s administration will completely revamp most aspects of the transportation and environmental policies implemented by the Trump White House.

Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a democratic candidate for president who ended up supporting Biden for his nomination, will become the Secretary of Transportation, leading the US Department of Transportation and the US Maritime Administration (MARAD).

MARAD is the US government’s chief regulator of the maritime industry, and it helps oversee the country’s ocean commerce policies and the US Merchant Marine Academy in New York state.

Buttigieg, the first LGBTQ head of the Transportation Department, will implement a series of transit reforms that will accommodate climate change and environmental recovery. Buttigieg has yet to be officially confirmed by the US Senate, but it is expected that he will enjoy an easy process and will take over the department in a matter of days.

This is a developing story.