U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House Rose Garden Thursday at 11:00 a.m. EST, the first time he has spoken publicly since Donald J. Trump’s victory on Tuesday night.
In addition to touting what he called “a historic presidency”, Biden lauded Vice President Kamala Harris’ tenure in the Oval Office and presidential campaign. He then asked that the country accept the results of the election.
“You’re hurting. I hear you and I see you,” Biden said. “Don’t forget. Don’t forget all that we accomplished. It’s been a historic presidency, not because I’m president, but because what we’ve done — what you’ve done.”
“We accept the choice the country made,” he went on to say. “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, something I hope we can do no matter who you voted for, to see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans.”
“I will do my duty as president,” Biden said, assuring the country of a smooth transition of power next year. “I’ll fulfill my oath and I will honor the Constitution. On January 20, we will have a peaceful transition of power.”
