WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Thursday defended America's controversial drone attacks as legal, effective and a necessary linchpin in an evolving U.S. counterterrorism policy.WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is speaking in front of hundreds of thousands gathered near the Capitol and along the national mall to hear his speech. District of Columbia police officials said the crowd was larger than expected.
The president spoke immediately after being sworn in with a public oath of office by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
After a bitterly partisan election and lame-duck session, Obama is using his speech to call for a divided nation to come together to right the nation's course.
"Now more than ever we should do this as one nation," he said, adding that Americans are made for this moment and can succeed "so long as we seize it together."
After his speech, Obama is expected to dine with members of Congress and other VIPs at a Capitol Hill luncheon. He will then view the traditional inaugural parade and is scheduled to attend two inaugural balls on Monday night.
“We remember the lessons of our past ... we do not believe in this country that freedom is reserved for the lucky or happiness for the few,” – Barack Obama, adding that. “We the people still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves but to all posterity.”
"History tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they've never been self-executing." – Barack Obama, after quoting the "unalienable" American rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" outlined in the Declaration of Independence.
"Blessings upon all who contribute to the essence of the American spirit, the American Dream." – Myrlie Evers, activist and widow of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers
"In 2013, far too many doubt the future of this great nation." – Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., starting off the inaugural program
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