Biden Invites Trump to White House for Transition Talks After Harris Loses Election
President Joe Biden will meet with President-elect Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday to show the importance of a smooth transition of power. However, Trump’s team has not yet signed key documents needed to start the official handover process, according to Reuters.
This meeting comes after an unusual election season. Biden, who initially ran for re-election in 2024, later dropped out and supported Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. After Harris lost to Trump, Biden decided to extend a traditional courtesy by inviting Trump to the Oval Office. This gesture stands out because Trump didn’t do the same for Biden back in 2020, Reuters highlighted.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre explained Biden’s decision: “He believes in peaceful transfers of power and wants to follow the norms.” Despite their sharp political differences—on issues like climate change, trade, and democracy—Biden is focusing on continuity. According to Reuters, Trump, 78, often calls Biden, 81, incompetent, while Biden warns Trump’s return could harm democracy.
Trump will first meet Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, before sitting with Biden at 11 a.m. EST. While Biden wants to show unity, Reuters reports that the transition process is partly stuck because Trump’s team hasn’t signed agreements to allow access to government offices and resources. These documents are essential for Trump’s incoming administration to fully prepare.
Experts like Valerie Smith Boyd from the Partnership for Public Service told Reuters that without these agreements, communication with federal agencies can’t start. These agreements also include ethics rules, ensuring officials don’t profit from sensitive information shared during the transition.
Biden and Trump are expected to discuss several major topics, including foreign policy. Reuters notes that Biden might urge Trump to continue supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Trump’s victory raised questions about U.S. backing for Ukraine, as he has promised to end the conflict quickly without providing details.
This meeting marks the first face-to-face interaction between Biden and Trump since their June debate, which didn’t go well for Biden. Concerns about Biden’s age led to his withdrawal from the race, making Harris the Democratic nominee. However, her campaign was short-lived after her loss to Trump.
Source: Reuters