US President-elect Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office on Wednesday to meet his former rival Joe Biden, whose legitimacy he has never recognized and who has described him as a threat to democracy.
A handshake, cordial words and smiles between two adversaries who insulted each other profusely: the two-minute scene, apparently devoid of tension, which preceded their two-hour meeting had something surreal and marked a shift from four years ago.
Well, Mr. President-elect, Mr. Former President – Donald – congratulations
Joe Biden said to his interlocutor, seated next to him in the Oval Office, according to the video transmitted delayed to the media.
He wished a welcome back
to the former president, who did not invite him to the White House after the Democratic victory in 2020.
Politics is tough, and in many cases it’s not a very pleasant world, but today it’s pleasant, and I appreciate it immensely, Joe
responded Donald Trump, who scored a decisive victory last week.
Before the start of their closed-door meeting, Joe Biden assured journalists that the succession process would take place smoothly and assured his successor of his full cooperation.
The transition will be as easy as it can be
replied the one who will be the 47e American president, thanking his former adversary, before the reporters present were shown the exit while they bombarded the two men with questions, so that they were even inaudible.
The transition process differs from the previous one, when Donald Trump refused to recognize his defeat in 2020, crying without proof of massive fraud, a protest which culminated in the assault on the Capitol by hundreds of his supporters on January 6 2021.
Breaking with democratic norms, he maneuvered to stay in office, slowed down the process of transfer of power and boycotted the inauguration ceremony of his successor.
Asked subsequently about the discussion which took place far from the cameras, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre spoke of a meeting cordial, very friendly and very substantial
.
They discussed important national security and domestic policy issues facing the nation and the world
she clarified.
The president also addressed issues that will be important by the end of his term and that require the collaboration of Congress, such as government funding as well as the additional funding he has requested for natural disasters, he said. she added.
Jill Biden, according to the White House report, was also present to welcome the next president. She gave him a written letter of congratulations to the next first lady, who broke with tradition by skipping the visit to the White House.
When he takes office on January 20, Donald Trump will be the oldest man to hold this office, breaking the record established by his predecessor.
Trump will have a free hand
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Applauded by the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives, including Elise Stefanik, number 3 in the hierarchy whom he appointed ambassador to the UN, Donald Trump met with the elected Republican representatives of the House.
Photo : Associated Press / Alex Brandon
Just before his meeting with his predecessor, Donald Trump had a meeting with the Republican caucus of the House of Representatives, resolutely united behind its leader.
Texas Representative Troy Nehls told reporters that he had the mandate from voters to implement his legislative priorities, whatever they may be.
If Donald Trump says, “Jump three feet high and scratch your head,” we’re all going to jump three feet high and scratch our heads.
The Constitution provides that Congress acts as a check and balance.
In one week, Donald Trump has also appointed around fifteen collaborators so far, chosen based on their loyalty. In the morning, he announced four new appointments, including that of his advisor Stephen Miller, who was the architect of his migration policies, some of which were controversial.
The latter will play the expanded role of assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff for policy and adviser on homeland security. He will assume a key role in the mass deportations of illegal migrants promised by Donald Trump.
After having succeeded in shaping the Republican Party in his image and having profoundly modified federal policy, the neophyte who arrived on the political scene in Washington eight years ago will now benefit from a much more favorable situation.
To implement his political program, he will have free rein with a Senate controlled by the Republicans, a House which will also be, with a 218e victory came to ensure a majority for the Republicans on Tuesday, and a Supreme Court with a strong conservative majority which extended its powers with its ruling on presidential immunity.
His legal troubles, which will not have weighed down his campaign, are also in the process of evaporating. The federal prosecution of Donald Trump by special prosecutor Jack Smith appears poised to be dropped, in part because Justice Department policy has long posited that a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted.
According to the New York Timesthe special prosecutor intends to complete his report and resign before being fired by Donald Trump, who made it a campaign promise.
Unlike Donald Trump, in 2016, Vice President Kamala Harris, an unsuccessful presidential candidate, quickly conceded victory and called him to congratulate him, assuring him of her assistance in the transition process.
As vice-president of the Senate, she will oversee the certification of Donald Trump’s victory on January 6.
Elon Musk, an important new player in American politics
Unusually, multi-billionaire Elon Musk, an active supporter of Donald Trump’s campaign who has just inherited an important role in his administration, accompanied him to his meeting with the House Republicans.
Appointed to head an external commission whose mandate will be to cut public spending – an idea he himself suggested – he already seems on the path to playing an even larger role.
He was alongside Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence to follow election night and is advising him in his transition process.
According to NBC News sources, he remained there for most of the week, according to both sources. He would be there at all hours, participating in calls and meetings.
He participated in a telephone meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the campaign, the president-elect said he was convinced of reaching a negotiated solution within 24 hours with Russia, which invaded its neighbor in February 2022.
