In a return to traditional presidential transitions, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
KXXV reported that following the contentious handover of power in 2020, this move marks a significant return to conventional transition norms.
Four years ago, Donald Trump broke from tradition by not attending Biden's inauguration.
This year, President Biden has chosen to uphold the longstanding tradition by confirming his attendance at Trump’s ceremony, scheduled to take place on the U.S. Capitol steps at noon.
Uncertainty surrounds the attendance of other key figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris, who was defeated in the recent election, and former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. The presence of these dignitaries remains unconfirmed.
It has been noted that former President Jimmy Carter will not attend due to his ongoing hospice care, which began in early 2023.
Despite the ceremonial aspects, there have been bumps in the transition process.
The Biden administration has expressed concerns over Trump's transition team not signing the essential memorandum of understanding that helps ensure a smooth transition. This agreement is typically orchestrated by the General Services Administration (GSA).
The White House has continued to engage with Trump's team to mitigate these issues.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates emphasized the commitment to democratic values, stating, “The president promised that he would attend the inauguration of whoever won the election. He and the first lady are going to honor that promise and attend the inauguration.”
Bates added, "He views that as an important demonstration of commitment to our democratic values and to honoring the will of the people as we continue to provide an orderly and effective transition."
The ongoing dialogue between the outgoing and incoming administrations is critical to ensure governmental continuity.
"We’re going to continue to engage with the Trump transition team to ensure that we do have that efficient, effective transition of power," stated White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
She further mentioned the importance of access to services and information outlined in the GSA and the White House Memorandum of Agreement, saying, "And in those conversations, we certainly are stressing that the White House and the administration stand ready to provide assistance."
