Joe Biden made a show of courtesy on Wednesday by receiving Donald Trump at the White House, where the Republican, now with full control of Congress, will settle down for good on January 20.
The president-elect continued Wednesday to announce appointments in a forced march, entrusting key positions to loyalists, some of whom are very controversial, such as radical right-wing elected official Matt Gaetz, whom he wants to see lead the Department of Justice.
After a handshake with the outgoing head of state in the Oval Office, the 45th and soon 47th American president declared that the transition would be “the smoothest ever”.
The image of the two men chatting by a fireplace offers a striking contrast with their virulent exchanges in recent years, and in particular during the Democrat's campaign for a second term, which he abandoned in July.
Joe Biden has repeatedly described his rival as a “danger” to democracy, and Donald Trump has portrayed his opponent as a senile old man.
The two men met for nearly two hours with their respective chiefs of staff.
“We will do everything possible to make sure you have everything you need,” Joe Biden said. He wished him a “welcome return” to the most famous office in the world, which Donald Trump already occupied from 2017 to 2021.
The Republican, author of an extraordinary comeback with his resounding victory in the presidential election on November 5, then assured the New York Post that Joe Biden and himself had been “very happy to see each other”. Donald Trump said he had asked the outgoing president about the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
– Call to support Ukraine –
The meeting was “very cordial,” according to White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.
The outgoing president “stressed that, in his view, the United States' continued support for Ukraine (was) in the interests of our national security”, indicated Jake Sullivan, national security adviser at the White House, while Donald Trump is openly critical of aid to kyiv.
The American executive released a photo showing Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden with Donald Trump, all three smiling, and a photo of the two presidents strolling along the White House rose garden.
Joe Biden makes a point of respecting the democratic practices that his predecessor, and now also his successor, had dynamited.
Donald Trump, who has continued to contest his defeat in 2020 against Joe Biden, did not invite the Democrat to the White House for this traditional handover meeting and had shunned the January 2021 inauguration ceremony.
The Republican now has comfortable control of the levers of power.
The Republican Party retained its majority in the House of Representatives, after taking control of the Senate, the other component of Congress.
Donald Trump can also count on a Supreme Court firmly anchored on the right.
In recent days, he has made a series of appointments, some of them sensational, such as that of the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, at the head of a commission responsible for cutting public spending and deregulating.
– The right is tough on Justice –
In recent days, he has made a series of appointments, some of them sensational, such as that of the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, at the head of a commission responsible for cutting public spending and deregulating.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump announced that he would entrust the leadership of intelligence to Tulsi Gabbard, a defector from the Democratic Party and former soldier, known for positions favorable to Russia.
He chose Florida elected official Matt Gaetz, a faithful among the faithful, to lead the federal judicial system. Accused of having had sexual relations with a minor, this representative of the hard right has always denied it. His appointment must, however, be validated by the Senate.
“Matt will put an end to the exploitation of our administration,” said Donald Trump, himself convicted of criminal charges, who accuses the current Department of Justice of having fomented a “witch hunt” against him.
The president-elect also went to Republican parliamentarians on Wednesday, with whom he raised the possibility of running for the White House at the end of his second term, which is prohibited by the American Constitution.
“I think I won't run again, unless you say to yourself 'he's good, we have to consider something else',” he declared to laughter from the audience.
