January 20, 2017:The much-anticipated day had finally arrived for the Sanders/Warren Transition Team. The candidate that they had all worked so hard to elect was finally being inaugurated President of the United States. It was a truly emotional day for many Americans, and they chose to show their support by turning out in unprecedented numbers on inauguration day. Shattering the record set by former President Barack Obama, Sanders' inauguration drew a crowd of over 2.1 million people between the Capitol steps and Lincoln's feet. There were also multiple demonstrations of joy by progressives in capitals across Europe and major cities throughout the United States.
Sanders, instead of swearing his oath of office over a religious text, chose to swear his oath over a copy of the U.S. Constitution, perhaps setting a new precedent for future U.S. Presidents.
President Sanders giving his inaugural address to an estimated crowd of 2.1 million people
President Sanders gave a rousing inaugural address in which he made several newsworthy announcements. He announced that he plans to pass a universal healthcare bill within the first year of his presidency. He also alluded to a major infrastructure bill that he plans to introduce within his first 100 days in office. He spoke much about unity, the working class, and how respect for American democracy had surged around the world.
Liberal media pundits lauded the speech as unifying, optimistic, and awe inspiring. Comparing President Sanders to FDR. On the other side of the political spectrum, right wing media pundits decried the speech as being Marxist-Lenninist, reminiscent of Fidel Castro, and one of the darkest moments in American history. The contrast in coverage was stark and highlighted the toxicity of America's media landscape.
Hours after Sanders inauguration:Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gave a stunning press conference hours after President Sanders' inauguration in which he rebuked the President's inaugural address and committed to making Sanders a one term President, the same commitment he made during former President Obama's tenure as president.
Q: President Sanders outlined in his inaugural address this morning that he plans to get a major infrastructure bill through Congress within his first 100 days in office and a universal healthcare bill by the end of his first year. Can you see yourself working with the President and Democrats on those two agenda items?
Q: Did the Democrats not win a mandate with this election? How can you possibly say those things if a vast majority of the American people elected Democrats across the board?
Q: Will you consider confirming the President's nominee for SCOTUS if he/she is a qualified but liberal leaning judge?
McConnell's press conference was short but blunt. He effectively communicated to the newly minted Sanders administration that Republicans will not compromise, they will obstruct, and that they consider President Sanders their enemy.
Shortly after McConnell's press conference:Press Secretary Jeff Weaver holds his first White House briefing
Q: What is the White House's response to minority leader McConnell's pledge to make President Sanders a one term president?
Q: McConnell also promised to obstruct. Stating that he would use the filibuster to block the President's SCOTUS nominee and universal healthcare bill. Will the administration consider pushing for the abolishment of the filibuster on SCOTUS nominees?
Q:You didn't answer my question. Is getting rid of the filibuster on SCOTUS nominees something the administration plans on pushing?
Weaver's comments were considered explosive, but his briefing sent a clear message to Congressional Republicans. The Sanders administration was not going to make the same mistakes the Obama administration did when they had majorities in both chambers of Congress. If Republicans want to continue to obstruct, Democrats will just work around them.
Democrats have the power now, and they sure as hell aren't afraid to use it.
Five cabinet secretaries were confirmed on Sanders' first day in office:26th United States Secretary of Defense, Michèle Flournoy
69th United States Secretary of State, Jim Webb
11th United States Secretary of Education, Carmen Fariña
17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Jealous
31st United States Secretary of Agriculture, Patty Judge
The Sanders administration had a busy and successful first day in office. They managed to get five members of their cabinet confirmed by the Senate, with a few historic additions. Michèle Flournoy being the first woman to become Secretary of Defense and Carmen Fariña becoming the first hispanic woman to serve as Secretary of Education.
However their first day did not come without pitfalls. The Sanders administration originally had seven cabinet nominees slated to be confirmed on the President's first day in office, but Republicans managed to delay two of them.
Republicans begin their obstruction campaign:
