A New President, and a New Start

Rarely has a new American president faced challenges as formidable as those Joe Biden has to confront. An economy slammed by a still-uncontained pandemic. An executive branch crippled by four years of mismanagement and malfeasance. Urgent changes in policy that can’t wait any longer. A transition that must deal with the outgoing president’s second impeachment. Gravest of all, a country so bitterly at odds with itself that the risk of civil disorder is real.

Millions of Americans crave nothing more than to resume their normal lives and go about their business in peace. Lately, so small a hope as that has come to seem out of reach. Today’s inauguration — with its special arrangements in response to the pandemic and to heightened concern over security — is a sobering reminder of what’s at stake. It’s also an opportunity that must be grasped. The U.S. needs a new start.