(The Hill) — President Joe Biden on Thursday called on Americans to lay to rest questions about the integrity of elections, calling the system fair after President-elect Donald Trump decidedly won the 2024 race.
“I hope we can lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electorate system. It is honest, it is fair and it is transparent. And it can be trusted, win or lose,” Biden said in remarks from the Rose Garden.
The president also committed to a peaceful transition of power ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
“I will do my duty as president, I will fulfill my oath, I will honor the Constitution. On January 20, we will have a peaceful transition of power here in America,” he said, subtly nodding to how Trump, in 2020, refused to accept he lost the election.
Biden’s remarks came after The Hill/Decision Desk HQ called the White House race for the former president over Vice President Kamala Harris early Wednesday. Republicans were also able to flip the Senate in the election.
Harris on Wednesday conceded to Trump in remarks at Howard University, during which she encouraged a peaceful transfer of power.
The vice president said she spoke with Trump to congratulate him on his victory, adding that “a fundamental principle” is that Americans accept the results in an election and that principle “distinguishes democracy from monarchy and tyranny.”
Biden also called Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him and assured him that the Biden administration would “work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition.”
“That’s what the American people deserve,” he said.
He said he invited Trump to the White House during the transition, which Trump accepted. The former president “looks forward” to meeting with Biden, according to his campaign.
Trump did not afford Biden a meeting after the 2020 election and also did not concede his defeat. He spent the weeks after that election pushing false claims of widespread voter fraud, leading to many Americans questioning the election process.
Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, aiming to try and stop the certification of the results. And Trump did not attend Biden’s inauguration.
Biden on Thursday said, “We accept 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 neighbor only when you agree.”
Until July, Biden was running against Trump in the 2024 race. He announced his reelection bid in April 2023 and campaigned on warning Americans about the threat to democracy that another Trump administration could bring.
The president then dropped out of the race after a pressure campaign from Democrats following a dismal debate performance and endorsed Harris.
On Thursday, Biden praised Harris for her campaign, calling her a partner and public servant and said Americans got to see her “great character.”
“She gave her whole heart and effort,” Biden said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.