Joe Biden's Body Language During His Inauguration Speaks Volumes

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. took the presidential oath of office on Jan. 20, just before noon, to become the 46th president of the United States. With his left hand on the Biden family Bible and his right hand raised, he recited the oath as delivered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, vowing to, to the best of his ability, to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Body language expert and psychologist Dr. Reneé Carr, who also serves as a political and corporate adviser known as The Problem Solver, says that Joe Biden spoke throughout the inaugural ceremony with "conviction and with an unwavering strength." She said his body language communicated pride: "He was very proud and smiled deeply as he heard the first introduction of himself as president."

She said she saw a different Biden than the one on the campaign trail. Now as president, Joe Biden no longer stumbled or searched for words. He was confident and delivered a fittingly confident inaugural address to the nation. "During his speech, his voice was loud and he enunciated with conviction when stating 'the will of the people and democracy is precious,'" Dr. Carr told The List.

In his inaugural address, President Joe Biden declared, "This is America's day. This is democracy's day" (via The New York Times). As Dr. Carr notes, Biden made clear not just through his words but through his delivery, that he had zero tolerance for further division and any anti-American sentiment, as he recalled the violent events of Jan. 6 when the Capitol was attacked.

"He looked straight into the camera, stood straight and still, and used one hand to emphasize his words," she said. "This communicates he is not saying one thing but thinking another — but that he is of a single mind and heart in believing what he is saying." Dr. Carr says that the president also seemed to recall memories of his own personal tragedy during his speech. As his "first act" as president, Biden asked for a national moment of silence for the 400,000 people lost from COVID-19, saying that, "To heal, we must remember" (per USA Today).

Dr. Carr tells The List that toward the end, Biden "spoke as a wise grandfather" and that when he took his oath, prior to placing his hand on the Bible, the way he and Dr. Jill Biden held hands, showed "true affection and marital connection," which was exhibited every time the two stood together. She concluded that President Biden's body language overall on this historic day conveyed "a true compassion, commitment, and determination to give 100% of his might toward being a president who truly serves and unites America."