Quotes
If Trump is a threat to democracy, as Biden has said, and a fascist, as Harris has said, why is the administration treating this transfer of power as normal?”
asked Democratic strategist Keith Edwards
Only for me, not for thee! Here is Donald Trump, praising the professionalism and orderly presidential transition he denied the incoming Biden administration in 2020,
wrote Democratic congressman Don Beyer
This meeting is not an indication that things are now ‘normal’ and should not be portrayed as such by the media,
former Attorney General Eric Holder saidAnd it’s not just him. You heard this from former staffers,
she said, referencing statements from Trump’s own former officialsIt is the absolute right thing for both Trump and Biden to be doing right now,
he saidA transition that is so smooth it'll be as smooth as you can get, and I very much appreciate that, Joe."
He continued
I assured [Trump] that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition.”
Prior to his meeting with Trump, Biden had already pledged there would be a peaceful transfer of power, saying on Thursday
I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say he’s good we got to figure something else,
Trump said to laughter from the lawmakers
I look forward to having a smooth transition and do everything we can to make sure you are accommodated, what you need. We’re going to get a chance to talk about some of that today,
Biden saidPolitics is tough, and in many cases it's not a very nice world. It is a nice world today and I appreciate it very much,
Trump said after the two men shook hands in the Oval Office
It’s nice to win,
As he prepares for a Republican-controlled government, Trump told lawmakers ... and received a standing ovation
The American experiment endures. We’re going to be OK.”
However, Biden has softened his tone since the election, reassuring the publicMr President-elect, former president, Donald — congratulations,
Biden saidWelcome back," and that he'
Biden told the President-elect
We want this to go well
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday ahead of the sit down
This past administration failed to do that
And he got in a hit at TrumpBusiness as usual is over."
Trump is sending a signal
It is quite important because it symbolizes a core strength of our country, and that is that we have hard-fought elections and then we have the peaceful transfer of power,
Max Stier, founding president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service and its Center for Presidential Transition, told the Washington Examiner
The Bidens extended congratulations and a joint invite to the Trumps to meet at the White House,
a spokeswoman for the first lady told the Washington ExaminerThere's no reason to think it won't be this time,
Heye told the Washington Examiner