Biden/ Trump/ transition of power/ 2024 election/ Kamala Harris/ election integrity/ unity/ Rose Garden speech/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Rose Garden on Thursday, congratulating President-elect Donald Trump and pledging a “peaceful and orderly” transfer of power. Despite a contentious campaign, Biden emphasized unity and respect for the democratic process, expressing hope that the election outcome will restore confidence in U.S. election integrity. Vice President Kamala Harris, who conceded the race, vowed to continue fighting for Democratic values.
“Biden’s Message of Unity and Transition Quick Looks”
- Congratulates Trump on Victory: Biden confirmed he spoke with President-elect Trump, committing to a smooth transition.
- Praise for Harris: Biden acknowledged Kamala Harris’s “inspiring campaign,” commending her resilience and character.
- Election Integrity Emphasized: Biden expressed hope that the 2024 results would renew trust in U.S. electoral fairness.
- Harris’s Concession and Vow: Harris conceded but pledged to continue the fight for progressive values.
- Focus on Unity: Biden urged Americans to move forward with unity, respecting the democratic choice.
Biden Pledges Peaceful Transition, Calls for Unity After Election
Deep Look
President Joe Biden publicly congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday, vowing to ensure a “peaceful and orderly” transition of power as Trump prepares to return to the White House. Addressing the nation from the Rose Garden, Biden confirmed that he had spoken with Trump on Wednesday to offer his congratulations and pledged that his administration would support Trump’s team in a smooth transition.
“That’s what the American people deserve,” Biden stated. He used the occasion to praise Vice President Kamala Harris, who conceded the race the day before, calling her campaign “inspiring” and highlighting her “great character” and “backbone like a ramrod.” Biden’s comments emphasized unity and respect for the democratic process, a message he reiterated throughout his brief remarks.
Donald Trump’s victory marks a historic comeback as he won over 72 million votes, securing at least 295 Electoral College votes and a majority of the popular vote. Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after Biden withdrew from the race in July, earned 226 Electoral College votes with over 68 million votes. Ballots are still being counted in some states, but Trump’s lead is decisive.
This outcome follows a heated and challenging campaign. Initially, Biden won the Democratic primary and was set to face Trump in the general election, but following a difficult debate with Trump in June, Democratic leaders urged Biden to step down. Harris subsequently became the Democratic nominee unopposed, marking an unusual end to the primary season.
During the campaign, Biden and Harris often warned that Trump’s re-election could threaten democratic values, labeling him a “fascist” and stressing the potential dangers his presidency could pose. However, after Trump’s victory, Biden shifted his tone, encouraging unity and acceptance of the democratic choice. Speaking Thursday, he described political campaigns as “a contest of competing visions,” underscoring the importance of respecting the outcome.
“A country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country made. I’ve said many times, you can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree,” Biden reflected. He appealed to all Americans, saying, “No matter who you voted for, see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans.”
The president also expressed hope that this election would “lay to rest” doubts about the integrity of U.S. elections, following widespread scrutiny of election security in recent years. “It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent, and it can be trusted. Win or lose,” Biden affirmed.
Harris formally conceded the race to Trump on Wednesday at her alma mater, Howard University. In her concession, she made clear that while she accepted the election results, her commitment to Democratic ideals would continue. “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she told supporters.
In a memo to staff, Harris’s campaign manager and Biden ally Jen O’Malley Dillon acknowledged the difficulty of the loss, calling it “unfathomably painful” and emphasizing that efforts to counter the impacts of a Trump presidency must begin immediately. “This will take a long time to process. But the work of protecting America from the impacts of a Trump Presidency starts now,” Dillon wrote.
Biden concluded his address with a message of resilience, urging supporters to see the setback as temporary and not definitive. “Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable,” he said, encouraging Americans to continue working toward their goals. He recalled his father’s words, “The measure of our character… is how quickly we get back up.”
With the country deeply divided after a contentious election, Biden’s speech was a call for healing and unity, encouraging Americans to “get back up” and continue working toward the America they believe in.
