Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was sworn in for his third term Tuesday night, pledging to focus on children through a cradle-to-career policy plan.
Except for a single jab at President Donald Trump's new White House ballroom and the government shutdown's impact on SNAP benefits, Woodfin maintained a positive tone throughout his inaugural speech.
Woodfin started by thanking his wife, Kendra, and family before moving on to elected officials.
Former Mayor William Bell, who Woodfin defeated in a runoff election in 2017, and former Mayor Bernard Kincaid were both in attendance. Woodfin also acknowledged former Mayor Richard Arrington Jr., who he noted was traveling.
"I stand on the shoulders of these gentlemen," Woodfin said before recognizing all the city councilors, legislators, judges and other elected officials.
Woodfin explained that moving forward, "Every decision we make as a city, every dollar we spend, every policy we pursue, every fight we pick, really comes down to one question, one important question, 'What does this mean for Birmingham's children?"
"Not as an afterthought. Not as a priority among many, but as the lens through which we see everything. That is the commitment I'm making tonight. In my third term, our children won't just be a part of the agenda. They will be the why that drives every decision we make," he declared.
"In 2025, we've seen a world that far too often seems devoid of love, compassion. And while national leaders play political games and build gold-plated ballrooms, nearly one in four families in our city risk losing access to benefits to keep food on their table. Those same lawmakers, those same lawmakers now threaten to rip away care, health care, that is, for those who need it most."
"Our children cannot dream big if they're afraid. They deserve to play outside, to walk to school, and imagine their future without fear. That's why public safety isn't separate from our education work. It's foundational to it," Woodfin said before applauding the work of the Birmingham Police Department.
"We want to be the safest city in America," he said. "A promise to every child that they can watch their grades and not have to watch their backs."
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