Declaring that the presidency “is bigger than any of us,” President Barack Obama on Wednesday called on the nation to unify behind President-elect Donald Trump and pledged to do all he could to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming administration.
In a brief Rose Garden speech, Obama said he called Trump early Wednesday and invited him to meet at the White House on Thursday to discuss the transfer of power. Though he noted “it is no secret” he and Trump have been at odds, the president said he’ll set differences aside and follow the “gracious” example President George W. Bush set for him when Obama first won the Oval Office in 2008.
Obama also delivered a message of healing to his staff, to fellow Democrats and to a nation still absorbing the results of the bitter, hard-fought race between Hillary Clinton, Obama’s chosen successor, and Trump, a former reality show star who defeated her in an upset that sent shockwaves across the political landscape.
“Everybody is sad when their side loses an election, but the day after we have to remember we’re all on one team,” Obama said. “This is an intramural scrimmage. We’re not Democrats first. We’re not Republicans first. We are Americans first. We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country.”
That includes Trump, Obama said: “That’s what I heard in Mr. Trump’s [victory speech] last night. That’s what I heard when I spoke to him directly. … That’s what the country needs.”
The president’s remarks were among several high-profile calls for togetherness following a historic contest in which Trump — a celebrity billionaire with no prior political or military experience — defeated Clinton, Obama’s former secretary of state and the first woman to win the presidential nomination of a major political party.
Underscoring the orations: Though the bare-knuckle brawl of an election was polarizing, it was important to show the world that power in the U.S. will change hands efficiently and peacefully.
Trump led the calls for togetherness shortly after the election was called in his favor early Wednesday. Despite a penchant for bombastic stump speeches and sharp personal insults aimed at Clinton, the real estate developer claimed victory with humility, praising Clinton for her service and pledging to serve supporters and critics alike.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, joined the unity chorus at a press conference hours later. Though he and Trump openly feuded throughout the presidential campaign, Ryan praised Trump for saving the GOP’s House and Senate majorities, and said he’d do his best in helping the new president “work to heal the divisions” within the party and the nation.
Clinton then followed, delivering an emotional concession speech to her supporters in New York City. Though losing the race is “painful, and it will be for a long time,” she said she hopes Trump will be “a successful president for all Americans,” and the nation should root for his success.
“We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead,” she said.
In his remarks, Obama hailed Clinton as a dedicated public servant, extolled her for making history as a finalist for the presidency and said she’s setting an example for generations of women and girls through her leadership.
Though her supporters are disappointed that Clinton came up short, and his staffers are concerned about his legacy, Obama said he intends to show Trump — who spent years questioning whether the president was born in America — the same respect and courtesy Bush showed him.
The outgoing president and his staff were gracious and accessible to the newcomers, Obama said, “so we could hit the ground running.”
“It is no secret that the president-elect and I have some pretty significant differences,” Obama said. “But remember: Eight years ago, President Bush and I had some pretty significant differences.”
An efficient handoff from the outgoing to the incoming administration will be an important demonstration of American democracy, Obama said. So far, he said, Trump seems to understand that it could go a long way toward showing the country a sense of inclusion, respect for the rule of law “and respect for each other” as countrymen.
“I hope that he maintains that spirit throughout this transition, and I certainly hope that’s how his presidency has a chance to begin,” he said.
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Obama Pledges Smooth Transition for Donald Trump, Urges American Unity originally appeared on usnews.com
