President Biden on Thursday called on Americans to lay to rest questions about the integrity of elections, calling the system fair after President-elect 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 Jan. 20, we will have a peaceful transition of power here in America,” he said.
Biden said he invited Trump to the White House during the transition, which Trump accepted.
At the end of Trump’s first term, he did not afford Biden a meeting after the 2020 election and also did not concede his own defeat. He spent the weeks after that election pushing false claims of widespread voter fraud, leading to many Americans questioning the elections process.
“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,” Biden said Thursday.
The president said when he called Trump the day prior, he assured him the Biden administration would “work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition.”
“That’s what the American people deserve,” he said.
Biden also praised Vice President 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.
Biden was poised to face Trump in the 2024 race until dropping out in July and endorsing Harris after a pressure campaign from Democrats following a dismal debate performance.
“The struggles with the soul of America since our very founding has always been an ongoing debate that’s still vital today. I know for some people, it’s a time for victory — to state the obvious. For others, it’s a time of loss,” the president said.
He also thanked his staff members, telling them to not forget his administration’s accomplishments, citing the bipartisan infrastructure law.
The president called on them to make the most of remaining time in office and also shared a message of optimism. He told Democrats to keep fighting, echoing the message Harris shared with supporters in her concession speech a day prior.
“Let’s make every day count. That’s the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said. “Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable.”
“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,” Biden added. “We’re going to be OK, but we need to stay engaged, we need to keep going. And above all, we need to keep the faith.”
Updated at 11:57 a.m. EST