President Biden addresses nation, promises cooperation with Trump transition

President Joe Biden briefly addressed the nation on Thursday following the stunning election victory of former President Donald Trump, promising to begin the transition process and urged American's to respect the choice of the people. 

"For over 200 years American has carried on the greatest experiment of self-government in the world," Biden said. "Yesterday I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory and I assured him that I will direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition." 

"We accept the choice the country made. I have said many times, you can't love your country only when you win," Biden said. "You can't love your neighbor only when you agree. Something I 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 also said he hopes the election results show that America's electoral system is sound and can be trusted. 

On Wednesday, President Biden invited President-elect Trump to visit the White House to begin the transition process. Trump accepted the invitation later that same day. 

“President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call,” Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement. 

Biden’s remarks follow Vice President Kamala Harris’ concession speech on Wednesday where she also promised that she would work with the incoming Trump administration to facilitate a peaceful transition of power. 

“Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power,” Harris told her supporters, assembled at her alma mater Howard University in Washington, D.C.

“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” she said. “But hear me when I say, hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.”