Two days after President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory in the 2024 election, President Joe Biden addressed the nation, reflecting on the results and the campaign led by Vice President Kamala Harris.
In his remarks, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring a peaceful transfer of power, a cornerstone of American democracy. “I will do my duty as president, I will fulfill my oath, I will honor the Constitution. On January 20, we will have a peaceful transition of power here in America,” he said. He also urged Americans to “bring down the temperature” and trust in the integrity of the electoral process.
Nodding to Donald Trump’s baseless claims that he fraudulently lost the 2020 election, Biden used his platform to emphasize the strength of America’s electoral system and his hope that Trump’s victory would help restore confidence in the process.
“Something to 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,” Biden said. “It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent, and it can be trusted, win or lose.”
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Biden’s remarks also extended to the unsung heroes of the electoral process—voting officials, poll workers, and volunteers—who play a crucial role in ensuring fair elections. “We should thank them for staffing voting sites, counting the votes, protecting the very integrity of the election. Many of them are volunteers who do it simply out of love for their country,” he added.
Biden also confirmed that he had already reached out to President-elect Trump following his victory, offering congratulations and promising full cooperation from his administration to ensure a smooth transition.
“Yesterday, I spoke with president-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory, and I assured him that I direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. That’s what the American people deserve,” Biden explained.
In the final weeks of his presidency, Biden stressed that he would continue to push forward with his agenda.
“Together, we’ve changed America for the better. Now, we have 74 days to finish the term, our term. Let’s make every day count. That’s the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.
“Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable. We all get knocked down, but the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up. That’s the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It’s a story for all of us, not just some of us. The American experiment endures. We’re going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged,” he said, urging citizens to remain committed to the values that have shaped the nation for over two centuries.
However, Biden acknowledged that his legislative victories could face challenges under a potential second Trump administration, pointing to the possibility of Republican-led efforts to roll back key achievements.
“The road ahead is clear, assuming we sustain it,” he said.
Watch the full remarks below:
