President Joe Biden consoled his supporters and urged them not to give up as he vowed to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to newly elected President Donald Trump in January.
“Setbacks are inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable,” Biden told staffers and his Cabinet on Thursday as they gathered in the Rose Garden two days after Trump’s shocking victory.
“The American experiment continues. We’ll be fine. But we have to stay involved, we have to keep going. And above all, we must maintain confidence,” Biden said in a roughly six-minute speech.
Biden became the first president to step aside and not run for re-election after his first full term since 1968, when Lyndon B. Johnson did so despite opposition over the Vietnam War. But Biden’s chosen successor, Vice President Kamala Harris, failed to win on Tuesday, sparking a wave of introspection and finger-pointing among Democrats.
As he did before he left the campaign, Biden again emphasized the need to lower the temperature politically and said patriotism should not depend on party fortunes.
“We accept the choice the country has made. I have often said that you cannot love your country only when you win. You cannot love your neighbor only if you agree with them,” he said.
Biden also pledged a peaceful transition of power, a position that contrasts with Trump’s involvement in inciting an insurrection on January 6, 2021 at the US Capitol.
“Yesterday, I spoke with 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,” Biden said.
Biden, who has held federal office almost continuously since 1973, urged his audience to keep working hard during the final 72 days of his administration.
“Let’s make every day count,” he said.
