Upper Midwest politicians reflect on President Biden's inauguration

012021.Amyinaug2.JPG — President-elect Joe Biden is seen during his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States as Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Jim Bourg

By Sarah Mearhoff

January 20, 2021 at 5:33 PM

ST. PAUL -- Despite the and size limits enforced on the ceremony, most of the Upper Midwest鈥檚 congressional delegation attended the on Wednesday, Jan. 20, while a few stayed home.

The inauguration came just two weeks after on Jan. 6, violently breaking into the building to disrupt Congress鈥檚 certification of Biden鈥檚 victory. On Wednesday, Biden stood before the Capitol, took his oath of office and said he aims to unite the country during a deeply polarized time.

Also standing before the Capitol on Wednesday was Minnesota鈥檚 U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who in the day鈥檚 festivities: As the senior-most Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee, she and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, spearheaded the ceremony鈥檚 planning and both delivered remarks.

Harking back on the Jan. 6 violence, Klobuchar said the rioters 鈥渄esecrated this temple of our democracy, it awakened us to our responsibilities as Americans.鈥�

鈥淭his is the day when our democracy picks itself up, brushes off the dust, and does what America always does: goes forward as a nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,鈥� she said to applause.

Inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States — U.S. President Joe Biden talks to Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) during the inauguration of Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Klobuchar was the first to introduce Biden as president before he took the stage to deliver his inaugural address. And before U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor administered Harris鈥檚 oath of office, Klobuchar noted that the two women are, respectively, the country鈥檚 first Latina supreme court justice and first African American, Asian American and woman vice president in history.

The majority of Minnesota鈥檚 Congressional delegation attended the ceremony in Washington. U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., opted to watch the ceremony on television from home in Minnesota, according to a written statement.

A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn., did not respond to repeated questions on his whereabouts, and Hagedorn did not issue a congratulatory statement for Biden, instead . Hagedorn was one of two Minnesota Republicans to of Biden鈥檚 win on Jan. 6 (District 7鈥檚 U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach being the second).

The Republican Governors of North Dakota and South Dakota, Doug Burgum and Kristi Noem, both attended in-person. Minnesota鈥檚 Democratic Gov. Tim Walz did not attend, instead staying in-state, per a spokesperson.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-South Dakota, also attended the ceremony. In a tweeted , he said he was praying for Biden and Harris 鈥渙n this historic day.鈥�

鈥淚 hope that we can find common ground in the years ahead and work toward an even stronger future for the country and South Dakota,鈥� he said.

North Dakota, Republican U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer was before the ceremony chatting with U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who led the opposition to certifying the 2020 election results in the Senate on Jan. 6. Cramer, who voted to certify the election, in a Wednesday written congratulated Biden and Harris.

鈥淲hile I did not vote for him or support his campaign, I appreciate President Biden鈥檚 desire to be a President for all Americans, and I look forward to working with him on issues where we agree and to having spirited debates on policies where we differ,鈥� Cramer said.

A historic day. Congratulations, President Biden and Vice President Harris. I look forward to building a strong partnership and tackling the many challenges ahead, together.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz)

Well, that was great.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar)

"And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it. We witnessed and weathered a nation that isn鈥檛 broken, simply unfinished." --Amanda Gorman
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith)

It is such an incredible honor to attend today鈥檚 inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris with my wife Cheryl.

I feel hopeful and determined to do everything I can in the 117th Congress to help my constituents in .
— Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig)

At this very place fourteen days ago, I bore witness to the remarkable fragility of democracy. But today, I was reminded of its strength and limitless possibility.
— Rep. Dean Phillips 馃嚭馃嚫 (@RepDeanPhillips)

As we celebrate this historic day, here鈥檚 my welcome message to our new President and Vice President of the United States.
— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04)

Today we celebrate 馃帀
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN)

The peaceful transition of power is a pillar of our republic. Today, I attended the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States and am hopeful that we will find the common ground needed to strengthen the future of our nation.
— Tom Emmer (@RepTomEmmer)

Thank you, President Trump, for serving our country these past four years and for always putting America First.

Congratulations, President Biden. We have much work to do on behalf of the American people.
— Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (@RepFischbach)

Attending the Presidential Inauguration today with my friend . For the good of this nation, I wish the incoming President the best of luck and I stand ready to find common ground with the Biden Administration when possible in order to move this country forward.
— Pete Stauber (@RepPeteStauber)

. and I are honored to be representing North Dakota with fellow governors at today鈥檚 inauguration, as we did in 2017. And we鈥檙e deeply grateful for the 鈥檚 service and presence here in Washington, D.C.
— Gov. Doug Burgum (@DougBurgum)

Congratulations to and .

While I didn鈥檛 vote for him, I appreciate President Biden鈥檚 desire to be a President for all Americans.

I look forward to working with him on issues where we agree and to having spirited debates on policies where we differ.
— Sen. Kevin Cramer (@SenKevinCramer)

As we witness the swearing in of Joe Biden as the 46th , we continue to pray for the success of our nation. While President Biden will bring a different agenda to the White House, we will continue to focus on advancing North Dakota鈥檚 priorities in the Senate.
— Senator John Hoeven (@SenJohnHoeven)

Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Now we must come together to tackle the challenges facing our nation and advance policies for the betterment of all Americans.
— Congressman Kelly Armstrong (@RepArmstrongND)

Congratulations to President Biden and Vice President Harris on your inauguration today...thankful for my gloves! Brrr...cold and it snowed! 馃嚭馃嚫
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem)

Praying for our new president, Joe Biden, our new vice president, Kamala Harris, and our entire country on this historic day. I hope that we can find common ground in the years ahead and work toward an even stronger future for the country and South Dakota.
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune)