Joe Biden, who is leaving the post of President of America, left for California on Monday to live a personal life with his family, putting his political career of more than 50 years on pause for the time being. But along with this he promised that ‘we are not going to leave the field’.
Biden did not speak for long after the inaugural address of his successor, Republican President Donald Trump, in which he pledged to “completely reverse” many of the decisions taken by his predecessor’s administration.
Before the transfer of executive powers in the final hours around noon, Biden greeted Trump, whom he ousted from power four years ago.
Trump had refused to acknowledge that he had lost the 2020 election and avoided giving such an honor during Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
Amid the biting cold, Biden and his wife Jill received Trump and his wife Melania as they exchanged greetings during the traditional swearing-in ceremony at the White House. “You’re welcome,” Biden told Trump.
After this, both of them boarded a limousine and then Trump took oath as the 47th President of America.
“Our recent election is a mandate to completely reverse a terrible betrayal,” Trump said of the Biden administration’s work. Biden sat impassive in the front row and listened.
As soon as Trump began his address, White House staffers got to work. They began removing Biden’s remaining luggage so they could move Trump and his family inside. The walls of the press offices, which were empty till the morning, were decorated with the latest photographs of Trump by the afternoon.
After the address, the new President walked over and met Biden and his wife, who was preparing to board a helicopter to Joint Base Andrews to attend a farewell ceremony with staff.
“Whatever we did … couldn’t do anything without you,” Biden told staff.
“No President can choose the moment when history is made but he gets to choose the team with which he makes history and we chose the best team in the world,” he said.
“We are leaving office,” Biden said, urging staffers to stay in touch. We are not giving up the fight.
He was also seen making fun of Trump’s speech and laughingly said, “We heard his speech at the swearing-in ceremony today.” We have a lot to do.” After this Biden made the ‘cross’ sign and then everyone laughed.
Biden and his wife then departed in a blue-and-white plane for Santa Ynez, California, where they plan to relax with family.
