Staff Reports
Power transition in the United States is officially in motion, and the winds of change are blowing from the Biden administration to President-elect Donald Trump. Wednesday marks the historic meeting at the White House where Biden will hand over the reins of power to Trump, a move inspired by the belief that the American people deserve nothing less than a smooth transition—something that wasn’t quite the agenda last time around.
Unlike the unprecedented drama following the 2020 election, where Biden and Trump’s first interaction was a telephonic congratulations after Biden’s narrow victory against his running mate, Kamala Harris, things seem to be taking a more civilized turn. Could it be that the 81-year-old Biden has finally realized that calling Trump a fascist or a “threat to democracy” isn’t exactly the best way to smooth over relations? The reality looks a little different now, as everyone gears up for a transition filled with, dare one say, decorum.
Biden has publicly committed to an orderly transfer of power, which definitely isn’t the tumultuous saga from two years ago. It seems the veneer of animosity has been lifted for this transition, with Biden stressing that he’ll rally his administration to facilitate cooperation with the incoming team. After years of accusing Trump of being democratically dangerous, it might finally dawn on Biden that unifying the country could be more beneficial than perpetuating fear-mongering.
Trump is now poised to make history as the second president to serve non-consecutive terms. The only other individual to take on such a distinction was Grover Cleveland, who famously bounced back in the late 1800s. The idea that Trump could join Cleveland in this prestigious club would surely cause some Democrats to clutch their pearls, considering how adamant they were about his so-called threats to democracy. After all the accusations and political theater, it appears the only thing that’s truly threatening is the progressive narrative that may have just taken a hit.
Biden Will Push This One Agenda Item During His Meeting With Trump https://t.co/gbXlsvEyN6
— Marlon East Of The Pecos (@Darksideleader2) November 11, 2024
On another note, incoming First Lady Melania Trump is set to meet with Jill Biden, but the scheduling for that tête-à-tête remains up in the air. Meanwhile, Trump’s new chief of staff, Susan Wiles, and Biden’s Jeff Zients are conducting their own behind-the-scenes discussions to ensure a thorough transition. Protecting Trump is also on the agenda, which is quite ironic given the previous administration’s fear tactics. Two assassination attempts might very well mean increased Secret Service protection just as Trump steps back into the political spotlight.
As the Old Guard hands over power to Trump, it’s hard not to appreciate the humor in the situation. Democrats raised a ruckus about threats and danger, yet here they are, sharing a cup of tea, or at least a cordial meeting, suggesting that maybe, just maybe, they weren’t entirely on the up-and-up about their concerns. As the nation looks forward, one can only imagine how quickly perceptions change when it comes to the realities of governance—and perhaps, just perhaps, this will usher in a more cordial political landscape for the next four years.
