Biden urges unity following the election, commits to 'peaceful transfer of power'
President Joe Biden addressed the results of the 2024 election Thursday, saying "We're going to be okay," and urging people to come together even as they are divided in their feelings about the outcome.
"You know, the struggle for the soul of America since our very founding, has always been an ongoing debate, and still vital today," Biden said from the White House Rose Garden.
"I know for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss. Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country made. I've said many times: you can't love your country only when you win," Biden said.
Biden said he hopes we can "lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system," saying it is "honest, it is fair and it is transparent and it can be trusted, win or lose."
He also directly pledged to a peaceful transition of power -- something former President Donald Trump did not do when Biden was coming into office four years ago.
Biden also spoke about his call with Vice President Kamala Harris.
"She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character. She has a backbone like a ramrod," Biden said. "She has great character, true character. She gave her whole heart and effort, and she and her entire team should be campaign they ran."
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
