Biden Trump transition/ Trump White House meeting/ U.S. presidential transition 2024/ international leaders congratulate Trump/ Trump’s legal cases/ Newslooks/ WEST PALM BEACH/ Fla./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President-elect Donald Trump received calls from President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and world leaders following his election win. Biden invited Trump to the White House and initiated steps for a smooth transition, though formal agreements are pending. Trump’s team, led by Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, anticipates ramping up transition preparations in the coming days.
Trump’s Transition Begins: Quick Look
- Biden’s Call and Invitation: Biden congratulates Trump and invites him to the White House for a transition meeting.
- Transition Preparations: Trump’s team, headed by Lutnick and McMahon, will ramp up transition planning shortly.
- Pending Agreements: Key agreements with the White House and GSA are awaiting Trump’s team’s signatures.
- Global Calls of Support: Leaders from Israel, Ukraine, and other nations reach out to Trump with congratulations.
- Markets Respond: Stocks, banks, and cryptocurrencies surge as Trump’s win is confirmed.
Trump Receives Biden’s Call and Invitation for Transition Meetings
Deep Look
President-elect Donald Trump spent his first day post-election taking congratulatory calls from leaders worldwide, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The Biden administration quickly initiated steps toward a smooth transition, with Biden extending an invitation for Trump to visit the White House and discuss the formal transition of power.
Biden Extends the Olive Branch
In a show of bipartisanship, Biden congratulated Trump over the phone and invited him to the White House, signaling a cooperative transition process. This gesture is notable, given that Trump himself had not extended similar courtesies following Biden’s 2020 win. Biden’s chief of staff, Jeff Zients, also reached out to Trump’s transition co-chairs, Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, to emphasize the importance of signing necessary agreements with the General Services Administration (GSA) and White House. These agreements are critical, as they facilitate security clearance processing, provide access to federal facilities, and allow the president-elect’s team to work with government agencies.
According to a White House official, Zients reminded Trump’s team of the Presidential Transition Act requirements, which include compliance with ethics plans and transparency around private donations. The agreements ensure an orderly handover of power, scheduled for January 20, 2025.
Trump’s Team Prepares for Transition
Trump’s team, led by Lutnick and McMahon, issued a statement confirming they would soon begin selecting personnel for his administration. Their statement underscored Trump’s commitment to “implement his common-sense agenda from Day 1.” While formal transition discussions had not yet begun in earnest, aides indicated that preparations would accelerate over the next several days, including plans for an inaugural committee and formal staffing of the transition team.
However, delays in signing the necessary agreements could temporarily impact Trump’s ability to fully access federal resources and may limit the number of personnel with security clearances before Inauguration Day.
International Leaders Reach Out
Leaders worldwide quickly reached out to congratulate Trump on his win, expressing optimism for their countries’ relations with the United States under his leadership. Among the first to call was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who shared a “warm and cordial” exchange with Trump. The two discussed ongoing concerns in the Middle East, with Netanyahu noting the significance of continued U.S. support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose nation has relied heavily on U.S. aid to resist Russian aggression, also called Trump. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of continued American leadership in global peace efforts, especially as Trump has promised to “end the war within days” without specifying how. Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their commitment to strengthening ties with the new administration.
Economic Impact and Market Surge
Markets responded favorably to the news of Trump’s victory and the prospect of a smooth transition. U.S. stocks, banks, and cryptocurrency markets surged as investors anticipated pro-business policies, deregulation, and economic initiatives aligned with Trump’s campaign promises. Tech magnate Elon Musk, a vocal Trump supporter, saw Tesla shares soar, further contributing to the market’s buoyancy.
Special Counsel’s Case Review
As the transition moves forward, special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly evaluating the impact of Trump’s victory on the legal cases pending against him. Following Department of Justice policy that bars the prosecution of a sitting president, Smith’s team is weighing options for winding down two significant federal cases against Trump, including his involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack and alleged mishandling of classified documents. A source familiar with the discussions indicated that these cases would likely not proceed once Trump takes office due to longstanding legal protections for sitting presidents.
Smith’s team had charged Trump with 34 felony counts related to alleged hush-money payments and attempts to overturn the 2020 election. However, Trump’s election success is likely to shield him from legal repercussions, in line with historical DOJ opinions intended to prevent presidential prosecutions during their terms.
Trump’s Transition Looks Ahead
The incoming administration is preparing to roll out a new team and a revamped policy agenda, signaling a significant shift in Washington’s approach to domestic and international matters. Trump’s transition team is expected to name high-profile picks for key cabinet positions in the coming weeks, including potential figures who have aligned closely with his agenda.
Trump’s victory has spurred a cascade of activity on Capitol Hill and beyond as world leaders, allies, and investors await policy shifts that could redefine U.S. involvement in global affairs. As Trump prepares to take office once more, his team will face the challenge of addressing international expectations, domestic priorities, and the legal complexities surrounding his presidency.
