Joe Biden emphasizes the importance of stability during the transition of power

President Joe Biden shared his gratitude for a peaceful transition of power and other recent accomplishments during a Thanksgiving visit to a fire station in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the president reflected on the importance of maintaining stability during the transfer of leadership and highlighted significant milestones achieved during his administration.

When asked about what he was thankful for, Biden responded, “I’m thankful for my family, the peaceful transition of the presidency, and by the grace of God, we’ve been able to make progress in the Middle East. I’m really thankful for being able to get the first peace agreement done in Lebanon.”

His remarks referred to the recently brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which was facilitated by the U.S. administration. He also expressed appreciation for the resilience of the American people, saying, “There is nothing beyond our capacity.”

Biden’s comments on the presidential transition come less than two weeks after his meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at the White House.

The meeting, which lasted just under two hours, was described as “very cordial” and “gracious” by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. This marked a significant departure from the contentious relationship the two leaders had during Biden’s 2020 victory, when Trump refused to offer a similar meeting.

Following Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, Biden pledged to uphold the tradition of ensuring a smooth transfer of power.

On Thanksgiving, Biden emphasized the importance of this process, saying, “I want to make sure this transition goes smoothly. All the talk about what [Trump] may do or not do — I think there may be an internal reckoning on his part. … So it remains to be seen.”

During their Oval Office meeting, Biden personally congratulated Trump and expressed his commitment to facilitating a seamless transition.

“Congratulations, and I look forward to having a smooth transition,” Biden reportedly told Trump. In response, Trump assured Biden, “It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that, Joe.”

The peaceful tone of the meeting stood in stark contrast to the fraught transition in 2020. Back then, Trump refused to concede defeat, which led to significant tensions during the handover of power.

This year’s transition, however, signals a return to tradition and reflects a shared acknowledgment of the importance of stability in governance.

Biden’s Thanksgiving visit to the Nantucket fire station was part of his annual tradition of spending the holiday on the island with his family.

While his remarks focused on gratitude and unity, they also underscored his efforts to leave a legacy of diplomacy and cooperation, both domestically and internationally.