close
close

Support a peaceful transfer of power – Mother Jones

Mother Jones illustration; Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Combat disinformation: Sign up for free Mother Jones Daily Newsletter and follow the important news.

Since Donald Trump Although President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris won re-election, they both did what the current president-elect and his fellow Republicans refused to do in 2020: publicly accept the loss and work for a peaceful transition of power.

In a speech Thursday morning at the White House, Biden told Americans: “We accept the decision that the country has made.”

“I’ve said that many times,” he continued. “You can't love your country only when you're winning. You can't love your neighbor only when you agree.” He added: “I hope that we can see each other not as opponents, but as fellow Americans, whole no matter who you voted for.” Lower the temperature.”

The remarks, which were both unifying and a call for calm, stood in sharp contrast to the Trump campaign's rhetoric in the final stretch of the election, in which Trump said just this weekend that he was okay with journalists being shot. Biden's speech also differed radically from the near-constant conspiracy theories spread by Trump and his allies after Trump lost the 2020 election.

Biden appeared to allude to Trump's attacks on the electoral system on Thursday, adding that he hopes “we can finally resolve the question of the integrity of the American electoral system.” It's honest, it's fair and it's transparent and it can be trusted , win or lose,” he said. Of course, now that Trump has won, The GOP suddenly seems okay with this, even though they and their candidate have been sowing doubts about the electoral system for years – even up until election night.

The president also told Americans who voted for Harris that they must keep the faith and continue to fight peacefully for what they believe in. “Setbacks are inevitable,” Biden said. “Giving up is unforgivable.”

“The American experiment continues, we will get by, but we must remain committed,” the president added. “We have to keep going and, above all, keep the faith.”

Harris struck a similar tone during her concession speech Wednesday at Howard University. “The result of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” Harris told the crowd. “But hear me when I say, hear me when I say, the light of America's promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”

Harris also acknowledged that “people are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now,” but urged her supporters to still accept the election results.

“A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results,” she continued. “This principle, like any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny.”

The two speeches came at a time of widespread concern that American democracy and so many civil liberties are at stake with Trump's return to power. But in the face of a future that is so unknown — and even frightening — to many, both Harris' and Biden's post-election comments are reminded Americans what leadership looks like: recognition and respect for the will of the people and a reminder that the future of American democracy remains valuable peaceful fight for.

Spokespeople for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

You may also like...