President Joe Biden addressed the nation following the November 5 general elections, in which the American people voted to return to office former President Donald Trump, whom Mr. Biden defeated in 2020.
“For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world — and that’s not hyperbole; that’s a fact — where the people — the people vote and choose their own leaders and they do it peacefully and where, in a democracy, the will of the people always prevails.”
President Biden said he had called 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’s what the American people deserve.”
In the wake of the hard-fought campaign that pitted Vice President Kamala Harris against Mr. Trump, President Biden praised the Vice President and her run for the White House.
“She has a backbone like a ramrod. She has great character, true character. She gave her whole heart and effort, and she and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran.”
To those who voted for Vice President Harris, Mr. Biden challenged them “to stay engaged” and “keep the faith.” He underscored that political campaigns “are contests of competing visions.”
“The 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. Something I hope we can do no matter who you voted for is see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans, bring down the temperature.”
“I will do my duty as president,” said President Biden. “I will fulfill my oath, and I will honor the Constitution. On January 20 [next year], we will have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.”
