(NewsNation) — President-elect Donald Trump headed to the White House on Wednesday to meet with President Joe Biden for a high-profile transition of power meeting.
Biden welcomed Trump to the Oval Office, a traditional part of the peaceful handoff of power and a ritual that Trump himself declined to participate in four years ago.
Both Biden and Trump emphasized their intentions for a peaceful transfer of power during the moments leading up to their private meeting, exchanging smiles and shaking each other’s hands.
This comes in the wake of a tumultuous rivalry between the two leaders and months of insults and jabs at one another.
“Politics is tough, and in many cases not a very nice world. But it is a nice world today, and I appreciate very much a transition that’s so smooth. It’ll be as smooth as it can get,” Trump said to Biden.
Biden responded, “You’re welcome.”
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Trump skipped Biden’s inauguration in January of 2021 and Biden recently called Trump’s supporters “garbage,” which could set the stage for an awkward interaction.
While in Washington, Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and Elon Musk met with House Republicans on Wednesday as they laid the groundwork for Trump’s agenda and prepare for a unified government. Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are heading up a new task force on eliminating government waste.
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US President Joe Biden meets with US President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) -
TOPSHOT – US President Joe Biden shakes hands with US President-elect Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) -
US President Joe Biden shakes hands with US President-elect Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
A Trump official confirmed to NewsNation that during the House GOP conference, Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Johnson for House Speaker.
“I’m with him all the way,” Trump reportedly said.
Trump’s arrival in Washington amid GOP congressional leadership elections could put his imprint on the outcome.
Ahead of the visit, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that Republicans are “ready to deliver” on Trump’s “America First” agenda.
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Planning for a peaceful transfer of power
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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 13: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a House Republicans Conference meeting at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. As is tradition with incoming presidents, Trump is traveling to Washington, DC to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House as well as Republican members of Congress on Capitol Hill. (Photo by Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 13: US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a House Republicans Conference meeting at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. As is tradition with incoming presidents, President-elect Trump is traveling to Washington, DC to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House as well as Republican members of Congress on Capitol Hill. (Photo by Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images)
Biden has insisted that he’ll do everything he can to make the transition to the next Trump administration go smoothly. That’s despite having spent more than a year campaigning for reelection and decrying Trump as a threat to democracy and the nation’s core values. Biden then bowed out of the race in July and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him.
Wednesday’s visit is more than just a courtesy call.
“They will go through the top issues — both domestic and foreign policy issues — including what is happening in Europe and Asia and the Middle East,” Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS of Wednesday’s meeting. “And the president will have the chance to explain to President Trump how he sees things … and talk to President Trump about how President Trump is thinking about taking on these issues when he takes office.”
Biden called to congratulate Trump on his victory last week and expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition, emphasizing the importance of working to bring the country together, according to the White House.
Melania Trump’s Office confirmed the president-elect’s wife would not be attending today’s meeting. First lady Jill Biden gave Trump a handwritten letter for Melania Trump, congratulating them on the election win and offering assistance with the transition.
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Trump’s new administration
Trump has been busy over the past week, announcing his picks for his next administration one after the other. He has turned to loyalists and government outsiders to shape his cabinet.
Most recently, Trump tapped tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), an initiative meant to “slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures” and restructure federal agencies. He said they’ll advise the White House and work with other offices to drive large-scale reforms.
Trump also nominated Fox News weekend anchor Pete Hegseth to serve as the nation’s secretary of defense. Hegseth, 44, an army veteran and author, would be the second-youngest head of the Department of Defense if he’s confirmed by the Senate.
Others who have been nominated for Trump’s administration include Susie Wiles for White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller for deputy chief of policy, Tom Homan as the new “border czar,” New York Rep. Elise Stefanik for U.N. ambassador, Lee Zeldin for EPA administrator, Florida Rep. Mike Walz for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for Homeland Security secretary.
The Associated Press and the Hill contributed to this report.