In a revival of tradition, President-elect Donald Trump meets President Joe Biden at the White House, marking the start of a pivotal transition period.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President-elect Donald Trump will return to the White House on Wednesday for the first time in nearly four years at the invitation of President Joe Biden, signaling a return to a tradition that was skipped during the tumultuous 2020 transition. The meeting, set to take place in the Oval Office, comes just over a week after Trump’s sweeping electoral victory and represents a symbolic effort to restore normalcy to the presidential handover process.
A Historic Meeting Amid Political Tensions
The meeting between the two leaders, scheduled for 11 a.m. ET, is expected to address the transfer of power and key transition issues. Despite years of acrimonious exchanges, Biden extended the invitation to Trump during a phone call last week, emphasizing the importance of a smooth transition.
“I assured him that I’d direct my entire administration to work with his team,” Biden said following the call. Trump’s team responded with a marked shift in tone, stating that the president-elect “looks forward to the meeting.”
Political observers have lauded Biden’s gesture as a significant step toward re-establishing tradition. “President Biden’s decision to welcome President-elect Trump to the White House is a tribute to normalcy in the presidential transition process,” said Wayne Lesperance, a political scientist and president of New England College. “It legitimizes Trump’s return to power by the nation’s leading Democrat and, hopefully, will be met with a commitment to orderly transitions in the future.”
Biden and Trump’s Fraught History
This will be the first formal meeting between Biden and Trump since their contentious debate in Atlanta on June 27, and only their second significant public appearance together since standing side-by-side at a 9/11 commemoration in September.
The meeting is also notable given the unique circumstances surrounding Trump’s previous departure from the White House. In 2021, breaking with tradition, Trump refused to invite Biden for a handover meeting and skipped his successor’s inauguration, becoming the first sitting president in over a century to do so.
Trump to Address House Republicans
In addition to the White House meeting, Trump is set to speak with House Republicans at their leadership elections near the U.S. Capitol. Sources revealed that Trump will use the occasion to solidify support for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), whose leadership bid has faced minor opposition from the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus. Trump’s endorsement is expected to bolster Johnson’s position.
Trump will be joined by prominent figures, including X owner Elon Musk, in addressing the Republican Conference as they celebrate significant gains in the 2024 elections. Despite a few close races remaining undecided, Republicans have declared the midterms a success.
Reviving Traditions and Setting the Stage
Trump’s return to the White House marks a notable restoration of a long-standing tradition that underscores the peaceful transfer of power. The meeting, though fraught with political undertones, is expected to set the stage for collaboration between the outgoing and incoming administrations.
As Trump prepares to take office for a second non-consecutive term, his agenda will include addressing the challenges of governance while navigating complex relationships with both allies and adversaries. For Biden, the meeting serves as a symbolic farewell while emphasizing his administration’s commitment to a smooth and democratic transition.
Source: politics.einnews.com…
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