President Joe Biden said Thursday he has assured president-elect Donald Trump that there will be "a peaceful and orderly transition. That's what the American people deserve."
Biden spoke in the Rose Garden to a crowd of staff and other supporters.
"For over 200 years, America has carried out the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," Biden said.
"The people vote and choose their own leaders, and they do it peacefully," he said. "In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails."
He also praised Vice President Kamala Harris, who stepped into the role of presidential nominee after Biden stepped aside, saying "she and her entire team should be very proud of the campaign that they ran."
His remarks were his first appearance on camera in the aftermath of Trump ’s decisive victory over Harris in the presidential election.
"Setbacks are unavoidable," he said. "But giving up is unforgivable. ... The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up."
Biden had called Trump Wednesday to congratulate him and invite him to the White House for a meeting to begin the transition process. Biden's chief of staff later Wednesday nudged the Trump team to sign the required federal agreements necessary to begin an orderly presidential transition, a White House official said.
The Republicans won control of the U.S. Senate early Wednesday, but control over the U.S. House of Representatives still hangs in the balance, with dozens of races left to be called.
