Biden wrests control of Trump's spotlight and makes first big bet of presidency

Joe Biden's crisis presidency effectively began Thursday evening, when he urged Americans to mobilize behind a $1.9 trillion plan to end the pandemic, save the economy and revive the weakened heartbeat of a nation.

The President-elect's appearance in Wilmington, Delaware, defined a precarious moment in US history as he prepares to confront the most extreme challenges of any new president in 90 years following his inauguration next Wednesday. Making his mission even harder, he will take the oath of office amid soaring fears of violence by pro-Trump extremists, which will mean the National Mall will be empty of its carnival crowds of thousands who traditionally witness the sacred transfer of presidential power. "It's not hard to see that we are in the middle of (a) once in several generations economic crisis, with the once in a generation public health crisis," Biden said. "The crisis of deep human suffering is in plain sight. There is no time to waste. We have to act and we have to act now."