The President of the United States of America (USA), Joe Biden, has urged Americans to remain peaceful and bring down the temperature in the country, directing them to see themselves not as adversaries despite who they voted for, but as fellow Americans.
Biden said this in his first televised address since Republican candidate and former US President Donald Trump won the 2024 Presidential elections- triumphing over Vice-President Kamala Harris, who ran on the platform of the Democratic party- where he spoke to White House staff and reporters at the Rose Garden in the White House.
Biden said, “I know for some people, it’s a time of victory, to state the obvious. For others, it’s a time of loss. Campaigns are a contest of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other. We accepted the choice the country made. I’ve said many times, you can’t love your country only when you win, you can’t love your neighbour 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.
“I also hope we can lay to rest the question of the integrity of the American electoral system. It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. And it can be trusted, win or lose.”
Addressing Trump’s victory, Biden said, “Yesterday, I spoke with President Elect Trump to congratulate 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. That’s what the American people deserve.”
He also acknowledged Harris’s campaign, praising her resilience and character, stating, “Yesterday, I also spoke with Vice-President Harris. She’s been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign and everyone got to see something that I’ve learned early on to respect so much- her character. She has a backbone like a ramrod, she has character, true character. She gave her whole heart and effort, and she and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran.”
He then said, “I will do my duty as President, I will fulfil my Oath, and I will honour the constitution. On January 20th, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.”
Addressing his supporters and White House staff, Biden took time to express gratitude and pride for the administration’s achievements, assuring his team that their hard work had made a lasting impact on the country.
He said, “To all our incredible staff, supporters, cabinet members, all the people who have been hanging around me for the last four years, thank you so much. You put so much into the past four years. I know it’s a difficult time, you’re hurting, I hear you and I see you, but don’t forget all that we accomplished. It’s been a historic presidency, not because of what I’m president but what we’ve done, what you’ve done.
“Much of the work we’ve done is already being felt by the American people.”
Reflecting on his administration’s legacy, Biden said, “We have legislation we passed, it’s just only now just really kicking in. We’re going to see over a trillion dollars of infrastructure work done, changing people’s lives in rural communities and communities that are in real difficulty. It just takes time to get it done, and so much more, it’s going to take time. But it’s there, the road ahead is clear assuming we sustain it. There’s so much we can get done and we’ll get done.”
Biden then reassured the public that, despite ongoing economic challenges, his administration has built a strong foundation, as he said, “We’re leaving behind the strongest economy in the world. I know people are still hurting, but things have changed rapidly. Together, we’ve changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish the term, our term. Let’s make everyday count. That’s the responsibility we have to the American people.”
As he closed, Biden urged Americans to continue striving for progress despite setbacks as he said, “Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable.
“Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up. That’s the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It’s the story for all of us, not just some of us. The American experiment endures, we’re going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged, we need to keep going, and above all, we need to keep the faith.”
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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