In a significant political meeting, President Joe Biden is set to host President-elect Donald Trump at the White House this Wednesday, as confirmed by officials on Saturday.
The upcoming meeting between Biden and Trump, scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Oval Office, marks a pivotal moment post-election. This announcement, made by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, arrives just days after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris was projected.
During her concession speech at Howard University, Harris assured a peaceful transition of power. She stated, “Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.” This commitment to a smooth transition was further affirmed by Trump during a phone call with NBC News, where he praised Harris for her dedication to ensuring a seamless changeover.
In a separate address, President Biden also emphasized his commitment to upholding democratic traditions. “I will do my duty as president: I will fulfill my oath and I will honor the Constitution. On Jan. 20, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” he asserted to reporters at the White House. This statement underscores a departure from the contentious transition in 2020.
Historically, transitions of power have faced hurdles, particularly noted in 2020 when Trump, after losing to Biden, delayed the transition process. It was only after the unrest at the Capitol on January 6, and Congress’s subsequent certification of Biden’s victory, that Trump ultimately conceded to a peaceful transition. Notably, in contrast to customary practices, Trump did not extend an invitation to Biden to the White House in 2020, unlike his meeting with then-President Barack Obama in 2016.
The forthcoming meeting between Biden and Trump signifies a stride towards a smooth transition of power, marking a moment of importance in the ongoing democratic process in the United States.
Source: NBC NEWS
