Outgoing US President Joe Biden assured on Thursday that he will ensure a peaceful transfer of power on January 20, 2025, the day Donald Trump will be sworn in as the country’s 47th president. He said the will of the people always prevails in a democracy.
In his first comments afterwards Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election, Biden praised the 2024 Democratic candidate, saying she had given her “whole heart and commitment.”
“She gave her whole heart and effort, and she and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran,” said Biden, who dropped out of the race for the White House in July after a controversy over his age and health problems. his disastrous debate against Trump in June.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory, and I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. That is what the American people deserve,” he said. said.
Biden said he spoke with Harris and called her a “public servant,” adding that it was a difficult time for the Democratic Party to cope with election loss.
“Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country has made. I will do my duty as president. I fulfill my oath and will honor the Constitution. On January 20, we will have a peaceful transition of power here in America,” he said.
Claiming that setbacks were inevitable and giving up was unforgivable, Biden delivered a message of encouragement to Democrats, saying, “I know this is a tough time. You’re in pain. I hear you and I see you. But don’t forget it. We must not forget what we have achieved. It has been a historic presidency. Not because I’m president. Because what we have done is what you have done.”
Trump became the first president in 132 years to win non-consecutive terms after losing to Biden in 2020 and winning to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016. His impressive performance came with a nearly clean slate in all seven states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and Wisconsin.
Trump has so far won 295 electoral votes, well over the 270 mark, while Harris won 226, according to races tabulated by The Associated Press. Vote counting is still underway in Nevada and Arizona, the two swing states where Trump is in the lead.
(with input from Reuters)
Published by:
Poorva Joshi
Published on:
November 7, 2024