President Joe Biden said “you can’t only love your country when you win” in his first speech since Vice President Kamala Harris lost to former President Donald Trump in the presidential race.

“You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree,” Biden said Thursday in an address to the nation from the White House Rose Garden.

Biden said he had directed his administration to work with Trump’s team for a peaceful transition of power.

“One thing I hope we can do, no matter who you voted for, is see you not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans. Lower the temperature,” Biden said.

He also highlighted the integrity of the election, calling it honest, fair and transparent.

“The will of the people always prevails,” he said.

Biden praised his vice president for running “an inspiring campaign.”

“She has great character, real character. She gave all her heart and effort, and she and her whole team should be proud of the campaign they ran,” he said.

Biden said in a statement Wednesday that adding Harris to his 2020 Democratic ticket was the first and “best decision” he made during this campaign.

“Her story represents the best of American history,” Biden said, adding, “I have no doubt that she will continue to write that history.”

His statement made no mention of Trump, the former Republican president and now president-elect, who will end Biden’s sole term.

Biden and Harris have both spoke to Trump to congratulate him on winning a second term.

Harris in a speech On Wednesday, he conceded the race to Trump.

Harris emphasized, “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. »

“It is not the time to give up, it is the time to roll up our sleeves. It is the time to organize, to mobilize and to remain committed for the good of freedom, justice and the future we all know we can build together,” she said.

Trump won the swing states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin and Michigan. ABC News has not predicted winners for the final two swing states, Nevada and Arizona.

Republicans also took control of the Senate. The results for the House of Representatives are not yet clear.

ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report.