Trump and the White House are preparing for the transition between administrations

From the White House to Mar-a-Lago, post-presidential election leaders are sharing a message of unity as the focus now shifts to a transition to a second Trump administration.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both spoke with President-elect Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him on his victory.

Biden invited Trump to the White House. Trump “looks forward to the meeting, which will take place soon, and greatly appreciated the call,” said Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign.

Harris and Trump agreed on “the desire to ensure a smooth and effective transition in the coming weeks and months,” a Trump campaign adviser said.

“President Trump recognized Vice President Harris for her strength, professionalism and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country,” Cheung said.

“It is time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It’s time to unite and we’re going to try, we’re going to try,” Trump said Tuesday during his victory speech at the Palm Beach Convention Center, just a few miles from Mar-a-Lago where he spent the evening watching the results with friends and family.

The victory, described by his running mate Sen. JD Vance as a “political comeback,” marks the end of nearly two years of campaigning for Trump but the beginning of an administration that could now face fewer obstacles with the support of Republicans in Congress who have done that. united around his agenda and a Supreme Court with a conservative majority.

“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” Trump said, describing a plan as “promises that kept promises” in a second administration. During his campaign, Trump has prioritized tougher border policies, including mass deportations, an effort to lower prices through energy production and less regulation, economic policies that would cut taxes while raising tariffs, and promises to create a to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

“Once we actually start enforcing the sanctions and stifling Putin’s war machine, that will be the leverage to get him to the table to end the war instead of perpetuating the war,” said Congressman Mike Waltz .

“The president, because of the mandate he received from such a broad and diverse group, is very excited to lead a unifying movement,” said one adviser, pointing in part to the support of Latin American and African American communities, especially among men. turnout in rural and urban areas in building a broad coalition.

In the background ahead of a second term, the Trump-Vance transition team, co-chaired by Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnick, has been “very active,” working for weeks “in a way that did not broadcast every move and every moment.” ” said a campaign adviser, who indicated that announcements would come in the coming days. Trump’s sons, Senator Vance, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard are also part of the transition teams.

“In the coming days and weeks, President Trump will select personnel to serve our nation under his leadership and implement policies that make American lives affordable and safe,” McMahon and Lutnick said in a statement. “We are proud to volunteer our time to provide President Trump with a broad range of experts to select from for his team.”

“They will give the president the best and brightest from all sectors of America so that the president can choose a Cabinet that is ready on day one to implement his agenda,” the adviser said. “And they will also work with policy stakeholders to ensure that things like potential executive orders and legislative policies are in place that meet the president’s goals so that he can make day one the start of the most successful four years in American history. ”

Trump previously indicated he would look to Elon Musk to lead a government efficiency commission charged with reforming and auditing the government. He previously said that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could work on health issues, including women’s health.

Kennedy wants to oversee the “regeneration of the regulatory agencies,” according to his former campaign’s communications director, Del Bigtree, who said he believes “it will be very much like a commission.”

“What’s going to happen is that you’re now going to know the side effects of vaccines. You are given the opportunity to choose yourself, if you wish. The choice is given back to the audience, and that’s it. No vaccines will be deleted. What you are being given is fairness, transparency and informed consent is a return to the vaccine program,” Bigtree said.

The transition between administrations is a government-regulated process, with the White House and the General Services Administration playing key roles.

The Trump-Vance transition team has not signed any agreements with the White House or the General Services Administration at this time, according to a White House official. White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients contacted McMahon and Lutnick on Wednesday to clarify the intent for an orderly transition and reiterate the role of the agreements, the official said. The GSA also said it had notified Trump’s transition team of his eligibility for post-election service and that it was prepared to work with his team to complete the agreement. Trump’s team has been in discussions with the transition coordinator.

“I really think the entire country needs to unite and come to the realization that he has everyone’s best interests at heart, and he will do what’s best to bring the country together and help it,” said supporter April Owen after his election night watch party.

“…He’s been there before, so he doesn’t need a grade. He learned from his mistakes. He knows what is right. He has people to help him pick the right cabinet members this time,” said supporter Jill Woolbright.