Joe Biden confirms he will attend Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony in January

After meeting at the White House, at the invitation of Joe Biden, a few days after the presidential election of November 5, Donald Trump and the outgoing Democratic president will meet again on January 20, 2025 for the Republican's inauguration ceremony, in Washington.

“The president promised he would attend the inauguration of whoever wins the election. He and the first lady will honor this promise and attend the inauguration” of Donald Trump, Andrew Bates, deputy spokesperson for the White House, declared to the press on Monday, November 25, thus contrasting with the billionaire's decision four years ago.

The United States was then on edge, marked by the assault on the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump on January 6, the date of certification of Joe Biden's victory. A day of violence fueled by Donald Trump's baseless accusations of electoral fraud.

Four years later, Joe Biden considers his presence at the inauguration “as an important demonstration of the commitment to uphold our democratic values ​​and honor the will of the people, as we continue to ensure an orderly and effective transition”added Andrew Bates.

Smooth Power Transition

During the election campaign, Joe Biden repeatedly portrayed Donald Trump as a danger to democracy, but the president pledged to make the transition of power as smooth as possible after the Republican's clear victory, despite the fact that the President-elect should unravel many of the initiatives of his predecessor.

Donald Trump has notably pledged to massively expel illegal immigrants, to significantly cut federal government spending and to heavily tax imports, all measures which are causing concern in the United States and the rest of the world. stranger.

Monday afternoon, as tradition dictates, and for the last time before handing over to the Republican, Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys ahead of the family Thanksgiving celebration, during which gallinaceous birds are traditionally served on plates millions of Americans.

During a relaxed ceremony on the White House lawn, the Democratic president indulged in a few jokes. One of the turkeys, named « Peach », has the motto “Let’s keep calm and keep gurgling”he said in particular, as if to encourage his compatriots to maintain their composure in the face of the upheavals promised by Donald Trump.

“It was the honor of my life”

Mr. Biden nevertheless wanted to end on a “your most serious”for his last speech of this kind. “Let me tell you that this has been the honor of my life, I am forever grateful to you”declared the Democrat, who had given up on running at the end of July, after a disastrous electoral debate against his rival.

As the end of his term approaches, Mr. Biden will now consider other types of pardons, which a president typically grants to convicted prisoners before leaving the White House.

However, he has already assured that there is one he would not grant: to his son Hunter Biden, who was convicted in June of illegal possession of a firearm against a backdrop of crack addiction, and who pleaded guilty in September to a tax fraud case. Hunter Biden is still waiting to know what his sentence will be in each of these cases.