In the aftermath of the recent presidential election, President Joe Biden initiated the transition process with President-elect Donald Trump, emphasizing a peaceful power transfer despite prior criticisms labeling Trump as a threat to democracy.
On November 7, 2024, President Biden congratulated President-elect Trump on his victory and assured him his administration would work cooperatively to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.
This gesture came despite Biden’s strong stance during the campaign, during which he argued that “our democracy is at stake if Trump were to win.” In the final weeks of the election, Biden even suggested that Trump should be “locked up” politically.
On November 13, President Biden welcomed President-elect Trump to the White House, marking a significant step in the transition process. The two leaders met in the Oval Office, where Biden extended his congratulations and once again expressed his commitment to a smooth power transfer. This meeting was notable for its cordiality, especially given the contentious nature of the campaign. Both leaders emphasized the importance of unity and the need to work together for the nation’s benefit.
During a press briefing later in the day, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced questions from FOX Business correspondent Edward Lawrence about whether Biden had apologized to Trump during their Oval Office meeting. Lawrence referenced the sharp shift from Biden’s campaign rhetoric to the unified front displayed in the White House meeting. Jean-Pierre, appearing taken aback, asked, “Apology from whom?”
After Lawrence clarified that he was asking if Biden had apologized for the campaign rhetoric, Jean-Pierre explained that Biden stands by his past statements, asserting that others within the administration share his concerns about Trump’s impact on democracy.
Jean-Pierre addressed the administration’s commitment to a peaceful transition, emphasizing that Biden’s role is to ensure stability and respect for the democratic process. Despite the reconciliatory actions taken by the White House, Jean-Pierre reiterated that the president’s statements about Trump remain unchanged.
She noted that Biden voiced these concerns, which were also shared by other officials, including former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and other senior figures.
At another recent press conference, Jean-Pierre reacted irritably when questioned about the administration’s contrasting messages before and after the election. When Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked about the shift, Jean-Pierre responded with agitation, dismissing Heinrich’s questions as unfair and twisting her words. She ended the press conference after expressing frustration over the repeated questioning on this issue.
In August, Jean-Pierre clashed with Fox News reporter Peter Doocy over Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on border policy. Doocy questioned whether Harris disagreed with President Biden’s approach to the southern border, suggesting a rift within the administration. Jean-Pierre firmly rejected this notion, stating, “There’s no daylight here. I’m not understanding the question because there’s no daylight.”
The ongoing transition has thus been marked by efforts to facilitate an effective handover while maintaining the administration’s long-held views on democratic values. As Biden’s administration cooperates with Trump’s incoming team, officials have stressed that the process remains guided by respect for the will of the American people, even amid significant differences.