Washington D.C.: Again in American history, the incumbent president Joe Biden and the president-elect Donald Trump met in the White House to ensure that power transition was going to be smooth. This meeting is seen and timed as a symbolic event where Biden invited Trump back and stressed people need a transfer of power. “Welcome back” Biden told Trump familiarising himself with the import of the moment for the United States. Trump too noted that while politics is tough, he will also make a part of the process that will facilitate the orderly transition. Both leaders, however, declined to answer questions from the media.
This meeting is crucial especially because Trump left early after the 2020 election with some measures contrary to traditions of the transition process. He had not invited Biden to the White House as the President-elect back in January and also did not attend Biden’s inauguration. On the other hand Trump’s attendance this time signifies a change of heart in terms of adherence to those presidential traditions that were completely derailed the previous transition.
It is noteworthy that, the disclosure of the Biden- Trump meeting restored the elevated tradition that testifies to the solidity of American democracy. Four years after leaving the White House under a cloud of an allegedly rigged election, Trump was back, with 312 electoral votes and triumphs in all seven swing states. Vice President Kamala Harris got 226 votes which can be seen as a triumph for Trump. President Biden had invited formally Trump to the White House meeting on 6 November, to congratulate him on the successes.
On the 20th of January, there will be the historical swearing of the new President at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Other practises include the President’s departure from their home to go to church this practise was started in 1933 by Franklin D Roosevelt. This is succeeded by the President-elect s meeting with the outgoing President in the White House to form the transfer power point. Unfortunately for Biden, he never got to witness this tradition as Trump skipped his inauguration in 2021.
Congressional members and distinguished guest will be in the Capitol on the same day to witness the official swearing in. The Executive Vice President will be sworn in first then the new President will be sworn in by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This is the same oath sworn by George Washington, the first President of the United States indicating the continuity of American political beliefs.
After the oath, the new President will make a speech to the nation and then attend a signing ceremony in the Presidential Room , which has become a practise since the inauguration of Ronald Regean in 1981 of putting into effect of the presidency with executive orders. Finally, the President and their Family will go [to] the Inaugural Parade and thereafter move into the White House residence.
Prior to inauguration day arriving, Trump going back to the White House for a peaceful meeting with Biden pointing towards unity and democratic principles are fundamental to the United States of America, demonstrates another great step in the smooth transition of power.