Harris and Biden give Trump two lessons on the peaceful transition of power

In separate speeches, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden demonstrated the right way to honor the results of an election and transfer power peacefully to Donald Trump.

Vice President Harris formally conceded the 2024 election on Wednesday, urging her supporters not to despair her loss to President-elect Donald Trump and to "never give up the fight for our democracy."

"The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for," Harris said. "But 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 spoke from the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., her alma mater and the site of what supporters had hoped would be her victory party less than 24 hours earlier. Harris has often credited the historically Black college with shaping her personal and professional identities.

Harris stressed the importance of accepting the election result, calling it "a fundamental principle of American democracy," along with loyalty to the U.S. Constitution, conscience and God.

"My allegiance to all three is why I am here to say, while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign," Harris said. "The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and for the dignity of all people, a fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at our best — that is a fight I will never give up."

Harris spoke of a future where women have bodily autonomy, streets and schools are safe from gun violence and "every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld."

She said that fight will be waged in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square, but also in quieter ways, like treating strangers with respect and lifting people up. And she acknowledged that "sometimes the fight takes a while — that doesn't mean we won't win."

Addressing young people specifically, Harris said the important thing is to never stop trying to make the world better.

"You have power, and don't you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before," said Harris. "This is not a time to throw up our hands — this is a time to roll up our sleeves."

She urged people to mobilize, organize and stay engaged even in difficult moments, citing what she called an old adage: "Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars."

"I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case," Harris added. "But here's the thing, America: If it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service. And may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America."

The Associated Press called the race for Trump early Wednesday morning, after he won the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. By Wednesday evening, he had earned 295 electoral votes — well over the 270 needed for the presidency — compared to Harris' 226.

In a statement released after Harris' speech, President Biden said appointing her as his vice president was "the best decision I made." Biden in July announced he would no longer run for reelection and endorsed Harris, leaving her just over three months to wage her campaign for president. His statement doubled down on that decision.

"What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire," he said. "Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what’s possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans."

Rachel Treisman of NPR

President Biden promised a peaceful transfer of power when his administration ends in January, as he hands off the White House to his former opponent, President-elect Donald Trump.

Biden spoke from the Rose Garden at the White House Thursday morning, following his party’s stinging defeat in Tuesday’s election, with his family and administration officials in the audience.

“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump, congratulated him on his victory, and I assured him I'd direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition,” Biden said. “That's what the American people deserve.”

The Trump campaign said a meeting between the president-elect and Biden will take place at the White House soon.

In his brief remarks, Biden also seemed to try to quell any future questions and unfounded claims about the integrity of the election system in the country.

“I also hope we can lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system,” Biden said. “It is honest, it is fair and it is transparent and it can be trusted, win or lose.”

Biden, who dropped out of the presidential race in July and endorsed Vice President Harris, complimented her on her “inspiring” campaign.

“She and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran,” Biden said, noting that he spoke to Harris yesterday.

When Biden ran for president four years ago, he promised to be a leader who united the country and “restore the soul” of the nation. Today, he made a plea for unity, and once again asked the country to “bring down the temperature” — the same ask he made in July, after the first assassination attempt against Trump.

“I've said many times: You can't love your country only when you win,” Biden said. “You can't love your neighbor only when you agree. Something I hope we can do, no matter who you voted for, is to see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans.”

The president acknowledged the disappointment of the election results, calling it a setback. But he said “giving up is unforgivable.”

“You're hurting. I hear you and I see you, but don't forget – don't forget all that we accomplished. It's been a historic presidency, not because I'm president, because of what we've done, what you've done,” he said. “We've changed America for the better.”

He said the successes of his administration will be felt years down the road, and he said the administration was leaving behind the strongest economy in the world.

Biden said there were still 74 days left of his administration to keep working for the country.

“Let's make every day count. That's the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.

Deepa Shivaram of NPR