Biden pledged to ensure the peaceful transfer of power to the second Trump in the White House and said Democrats must keep the faith after election defeat. Read the speech in full below:

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Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. THANKS. Thank you, please. It’s good to see the Cabinet and staff together. THANKS. THANKS. Thank you, please. THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. It’s good to see you all. It’s especially nice to see my granddaughter sitting in the front row here. How are you, darling?

For more than 200 years, America has conducted the greatest experiment in self-government in world history. This is not hyperbole, it is a fact. For the people. People vote and choose their own leaders, and they do so peacefully, and we are in a democracy. The will of the people always prevails. Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory, and assured him that I am directing my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. This is what the American people deserve.

Yesterday, I also spoke with Vice President Harris. She was a partner and civil servant. She ran an inspiring campaign and everyone got to see something I learned to respect early on: her character. She has a spine like a wand. She has great character, real character. She gave all her heart and effort, and she and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran.

You know, the fight for the soul of America since our founding has always been an ongoing debate that is still vital today. I know for some people it’s victory time, to state the obvious. For others, it is a time of loss. Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other, we accept the choice it made. I have said it several times: you cannot love your country only when you win. We cannot love our neighbor only when we agree. Something I hope we can do, no matter who you voted for, is see ourselves not as adversaries but as fellow Americans, and lower the temperature. I also hope that we can resolve the question of the integrity of the American electoral system. It’s honest, it’s fair and it’s transparent, and we can trust it, win or lose. So, if we can restore respect for all of our election workers who broke their necks and took risks from the start, we should thank them. Thank them for staffing voting sites, counting votes, and protecting the very integrity of the election. Many of them are volunteers who do it simply out of love for their country, and as they have done it, as they have fulfilled their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I will fulfill my oath and honor the Constitution. On January 20, we will have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.

To all our incredible staff, our supporters, the Cabinet members, everyone who has been with me for 40 years: God loves you, as my mother would say. Thank you so much. You have invested so much over the last four years. I know it’s a difficult time. You’re in pain. I hear you and I see you. Don’t forget. Don’t forget everything we have accomplished. This has been a historic presidency, not because I am president, but because of what we have done, what you have done, a presidency of all Americans. Much of the work we have done is already being felt by the American people. The vast majority of these consequences will not be felt over the next ten years. We passed a law. It’s only now, and it’s really just the beginning, that we’re going to see over $1 trillion in infrastructure work done, which will change the lives of people in rural communities and communities that are in real difficulty because it takes time to achieve them, and so much more. It’s going to take time, but it’s here. The path forward is clear, provided we maintain it. There are so many things we can and will do based on how the law was passed, and it’s truly historic. You know, we’re leaving behind the strongest economy in the world. I know people are still suffering, but things are changing quickly. Together, we changed America for the better. We now have 74 days to complete the mandate, our mandate. Let’s make every day count. This is the responsibility we have to the American people.

Listen, friends, you all know that setbacks in your life are inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable. Setbacks are inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable. We all get knocked down, but the measure of our character, as my father would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember that defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling you to rise again. This has been America’s story for over 240 years. This is a story for all of us, not just some of us. The American experiment endures. We will be fine, but we have to stay committed. We must continue and above all keep the faith. I am so proud to have worked with all of you. I really think so. I sincerely think so. God bless you all. God bless America and God protect our troops. THANKS. THANKS. THANKS.