WASHINGTON – Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump has adopted a three-decade custom of departing American leaders by leaving his successor, Democrat Joe Biden, a be aware within the Oval Workplace, the White Home mentioned Wednesday.
It was not instantly recognized what Trump wrote.
With Trump leaving Washington earlier than the official finish of his time period at midday Wednesday, and skipping Biden’s inaugural ceremony, it was an open query whether or not Trump would adhere to the custom began in 1989 by departing President Ronald Reagan.
Trump has refused to concede the November 3 election and he and Biden haven’t spoken since earlier than the vote. Whilst Trump delivered transient farewell remarks at an air base exterior Washington, he didn’t point out Biden by identify.
Previous presidents have left their notes within the ornate Resolute Desk within the White Home Oval Workplace, the place the brand new chief executives have discovered the great needs instantly upon beginning their four-year phrases.
Reagan began the custom, telling his former vice chairman and incoming president George H.W. Bush: “George, I treasure the reminiscences we share and need you all the easiest. You’ll be in my prayers.”
4 years later, Bush graciously supplied good needs to the Democrat who had defeated him within the November election, Invoice Clinton.
“Your success now could be our nation’s success. I’m rooting arduous for you,” he mentioned.
After two phrases within the White Home, Clinton instructed his successor, George W. Bush — George H.W. Bush’s son — in 2001, “You lead a proud, first rate, good individuals. And from this present day, you’re president of all of us. I salute you and need you success and far happiness.”
After eight years as president, Bush supplied Democrat Barack Obama his good needs in 2009.
“There will likely be attempting moments. The critics will rage. Your ‘pals’ will disappoint you. However, you should have an Almighty God to consolation you, a household who loves you, and a rustic that’s pulling for you, together with me.”
As he left workplace 4 years in the past after two phrases in workplace, Obama wished Trump properly, although he had campaigned in 2016 for Democrat Hillary Clinton.
“Congratulations on a outstanding run,” Obama wrote to Trump. “Hundreds of thousands have positioned their hopes in you, and all of us, no matter social gathering, ought to hope for expanded prosperity and safety throughout your tenure. Michelle and I want you and Melania the easiest as you embark on this nice journey, and know that we stand able to assist in any methods which we are able to.”
It was an open query in Washington whether or not Trump would observe swimsuit with a be aware to Biden, as a result of Trump had already mentioned he plans to interrupt a string of long-standing traditions linked to the peaceable transition of energy in Washington.
Departing presidents normally greet their successors on the White Home on the morning of Inauguration Day, they usually trip collectively to the U.S. Capitol for the brand new president’s inauguration ceremony.
However Trump left Washington early Wednesday morning after a red-carpet, army send-off at an air base exterior Washington, D.C., boarding Air Drive One for the final time for a flight to his Atlantic oceanfront mansion in Florida.
His refusal to attend Biden’s inauguration marks the primary time in 152 years that an outgoing U.S. president has skipped his successor’s swearing-in ceremony, usually a public image of the peaceable switch of energy within the American democracy.
Trump, an actual property titan-turned-Republican politician, has made baseless claims that he was cheated out of a second time period at the same time as dozens of judges, a few of them appointed by Trump, discovered no substantial proof of fraud that might have upended Biden’s victory.
The Home of Representatives impeached Trump final week after he urged 1000’s of his supporters to march to the Capitol on January 6 to confront lawmakers as they licensed the Electoral Faculty vote acknowledging Biden’s win.
The Trump supporters stormed into the Capitol, ransacked some congressional workplaces and scuffled with police, mayhem that left 5 individuals lifeless, together with a police officer whose dying is being investigated as a murder. Dozens have been arrested on varied expenses because the investigation continues.
Trump faces a Senate trial within the coming days on a single impeachment cost — that he incited rebel. If convicted, he might be barred from ever holding federal workplace once more.
However Trump, earlier than boarding his flight out of Washington, mentioned he can be “again in some type.”
— to www.voanews.com