President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump are set to meet in the Oval Office on Wednesday at 11 a.m. local time, according to an announcement from White House Press
Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. The meeting, extended by Mr. Biden, is a traditional part of the peaceful transfer of power in American democracy, though Mr. Trump did not host a similar sit-down with Mr. Biden after the 2020 election.
Trump, who will soon be sworn in as the 47th president, is set to make history as the second U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms, joining Grover Cleveland, who was both the 22nd and 24th president. Trump secured his victory on Tuesday with at least 301 electoral college votes, surpassing the 270 needed, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris.
In a speech on Thursday, Mr. Biden expressed his commitment to a smooth transition, stating, “I assured Mr. Trump that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. That’s what the American people deserve.”