President Joe Biden is set to speak to the nation in his first televised appearance following Donald Trump’s significant triumph over Kamala Harris.
The balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives remains uncertain, with the potential for either a Republican or Democratic majority hanging in the air, as many races have yet to be officially determined.
Meanwhile, Republicans secured control of the U.S. Senate early on Wednesday.
Trump’s return to the White House signifies the start of a new presidential transition. His administration aims to differ markedly from the one that operated under Biden, indicating a shift in direction and strategy.
As president-elect, Trump has a 75-day transition period to assemble his team before Inauguration Day on January 20.
A critical aspect of this transition involves appointing approximately 4,000 government positions with individuals specifically selected by Trump’s team.
This list includes key positions ranging from the Secretary of State to various heads of Cabinet departments, as well as appointments to boards and commissions. Around 1,200 of these appointments will require Senate confirmation, a process that may be quicker now that the Senate is under Republican control.
House contests are proving to be tightly contested, with no clear path to a majority for either party.
Historically, it is rare for both chambers of Congress to shift in opposite directions simultaneously.
Currently, both parties are experiencing gains and losses in several seats, influenced by the redistricting process that recently altered boundaries in states like North Carolina, Louisiana, and Alabama.
Much of the outcome depends on critical races in the West, particularly in California, where a few House seats are being fought vigorously. Additionally, mail-in ballots will continue to be counted well after election day.
Compelling races unfolding in Omaha, Nebraska, and even remote areas in Alaska are under close scrutiny.
Updates continue concerning the last two presidential races that have not been officially called.
After securing a victory in Wisconsin, Trump has surpassed the minimum 270 electoral votes necessary to claim the presidency, yet the exact margin remains unclear.
In Arizona, election officials in Maricopa County reported over 700,000 ballots still waiting to be counted, preventing them from declaring outcomes for either the presidential or Senate race.
Estimates suggest that there are at least one million additional ballots to be added to the tally in Arizona alone.
In Nevada, election estimates indicate more than 200,000 ballots left to count, including around 130,000 in Clark County.
Because of the tight margins in the presidential and Senate races, these races also cannot yet be declared.
Further updates are anticipated from Nevada’s election office soon.
With immense implications for Trump’s agenda, the control of the U.S. House is still undecided, resting on a few pivotal seats.
Final results from various contests will take time to finalize, potentially stretching the decision-making process into the following week or beyond.
Following the Republican gains in the U.S. Senate, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that the House would soon align with the Republican majority.
“Republicans are set to enjoy unified governance in the White House, Senate, and House,” Johnson claimed on Wednesday.
Biden plans to deliver remarks from the Rose Garden at 11 a.m. ET, marking his first public address since Trump’s decisive win.
As for Trump’s first day post-election, he focused on accepting congratulations from various officials, including his opponent and world leaders, while laying the groundwork for his administration.
Keeping a low profile, Trump remained out of the spotlight after his early morning speech to supporters in Florida.
Vice President Harris reached out to offer her concession and congratulate Trump, while Biden extended an invite for Trump to discuss upcoming transition plans in the Oval Office.
Shortly thereafter, Biden’s chief of staff gently encouraged the Trump team to finalize necessary federal agreements to facilitate a smooth transition of power, as confirmed by a White House source.