WASHINGTON — The President-elect, Donald Trump, is set to return to the capital amid a wave of support from his party. On Wednesday, he will be greeted at the White House by President Joe Biden for a customary Oval Office visit, a symbolic gesture in the peaceful transition of power. This marks a significant change from four years ago when Trump opted out of this tradition.
In addition to meeting Biden, Trump intends to confer with Republican leaders in Congress. They will discuss priorities for his first day in office and strategize on maintaining a united front, given the recent Republican victories in Washington that put them back in control. Trump’s arrival coincides with elections for GOP leadership, which could influence the selection of party leaders going forward.
This visit represents a remarkable comeback for Trump, who left Washington nearly four years ago amid controversies following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. However, he is returning empowered, claiming a mandate from his supporters and GOP allies to govern. House Speaker Mike Johnson affirmed that Republicans are poised to pursue Trump’s “America First” policies.
In the aftermath of his 2016 victory, Trump met with then-President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, referring to the encounter as a “great honor.” Yet, he quickly resumed his public criticisms of Obama, even alleging, without substantiation, that Obama had wiretapped him. Following his contentious 2020 election defeat to Biden, Trump has perpetuated false claims of widespread voter fraud and was absent from Biden’s inauguration, marking the first such absence since Andrew Johnson did not attend Ulysses S. Grant’s swearing-in 155 years ago.
Despite this history, Biden has expressed a commitment to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming Trump administration. This pledge comes amidst a campaign where Biden repeatedly labeled Trump a threat to democracy and foundational American values. Just after stepping back from the presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, Biden remarked that “the American experiment endures” and reassured the nation of its resilience.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted Biden’s dedication to facilitating an effective transition, framing it as both a customary practice and a responsibility to the American public. She emphasized, “We want this to go well,” while underscoring the importance of a productive transition process.
The sentiment was echoed by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who mentioned the administration’s intent to carry out a “responsible handoff” from one president to the next, aligned with American traditions.
Wednesday’s meeting transcends mere courtesy, as key issues concerning domestic and foreign policies, including developments in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, will be on the agenda. Sullivan noted that this will allow Biden to present his views to Trump and facilitate an understanding of Trump’s positions as he prepares to take office.
Traditionally, while the two presidents convene, the first lady hosts her successor at the residence; however, Melania Trump is reportedly not anticipated to attend. Following his earlier meeting with Obama, Trump will also meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, near where a violent mob once attempted to overturn Biden’s election victory.
As Trump was exiting Washington in 2021, criticism had mounted against him from several prominent Republicans due to his involvement in inciting the Capitol insurrection. However, with his recent electoral success, he seems to be regaining his standing as a predominant figure within the GOP.
This is not Trump’s first visit back to the Capitol region since completing his first term; he had previously met with congressional Republicans over the summer as he continued to consolidate his influence within the party. His upcoming trip coincides with significant Republican wins in both the Senate and House, as the party strives to solidify their hold on leadership roles amidst internal elections.
Trump’s presence at these meetings is poised to offer additional support to Speaker Johnson, who is closely aligned with the former president while working to maintain his leadership position. Johnson has indicated that he expects to engage with Trump several times throughout the week, including at an event that very evening and at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate over the weekend.
There is, however, uncertainty as to whether Trump will attend the Senate meeting due to the ongoing contentious leadership election involving a three-way race to succeed outgoing GOP Leader Mitch McConnell. Trump’s allies are advocating for Senator Rick Scott from Florida in what is seen as an uphill battle against two seasoned Republican figures, Senators John Thune and John Cornyn.