From the White House to Mar-a-Lago, leaders are sharing a message of unity after the presidential election, as attention now shifts to the transition to a second Trump administration.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both spoke with President-elect Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him on his victory.

Biden invited Trump to the White House. Trump “looks forward to the meeting, which will take place soon, and very much appreciated this call,” said Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign.

Harris and Trump agreed on “the desire to ensure a smooth and effective transition of power in the weeks and months ahead,” according to a Trump campaign adviser.

“President Trump recognized Vice President Harris’ strength, professionalism and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country,” Cheung said.

“It is time to put the divisions of the last four years behind us. It’s time to come together and we’re going to try, we’re going to try,” Trump said Tuesday during his victory speech at the Palm Beach Convention Center, a few miles from Mar-a-Lago where he spent the evening watching . results with friends and family.

The victory, described by his running mate, Senator JD Vance, as a “political comeback”, marks the end of nearly two years of campaigning for Trump, but the start of an administration that may now face fewer obstacles thanks to the support of congressional Republicans who coalesced around his agenda and a conservative-majority Supreme Court.

“America has given us a powerful and unprecedented mandate,” Trump said, describing a plan as “promises made, promises kept” in a second administration. During his election campaign, Trump prioritized stricter border policies, including mass expulsions, an effort to reduce prices through energy production and easing regulations, an economic policy that would cut taxes while raising tariffs and promised to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

“Once we actually start implementing sanctions and stifling Putin’s war machine, that will be leverage to bring him to the negotiating table to end the war rather than perpetuate it,” the president said. Congressman Mike Waltz.

“The president, because of this mandate that he received from such a large and diverse group, is very excited to lead a unifying movement,” one adviser said, pointing in part to support from Hispanic communities and African American, particularly among men. participation in rural and urban areas in building a broad coalition.

RELATED STORY | Harris concedes and congratulates Trump on his victory in the 2024 presidential election

Behind the scenes as a second term approaches, the Trump-Vance transition team, co-chaired by Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnick, has been “very active” and worked for weeks “in a way that not broadcast every movement and every moment.” “, according to a campaign adviser, who indicated announcements coming in the coming days. Trump’s sons, Senator Vance, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard are also part of the transition teams.

“In the days and weeks ahead, President Trump will select personnel to serve our nation under his leadership and enact policies that will make life affordable, safe, and secure for Americans,” McMahon and Lutnick said in a statement. “We are proud to volunteer our time to present President Trump with a wide range of experts from whom he can select for his team.”

“They will give the president the best and brightest from every sector of America so that the president can choose a cabinet that is ready on day one to implement his agenda,” the adviser said. “And they will also work with political stakeholders to ensure that things like possible executive orders and legislative policies meet the president’s goals so he can make Day One the start of the most successful four years in American history .”

Trump previously indicated he would turn to Elon Musk to lead a Commission on Government Efficiency tasked with reforming and auditing the government. He had previously said that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be able to work on health issues, particularly women’s health.

Kennedy wants to oversee “the regeneration of regulatory agencies,” according to Del Bigtree, former communications director for his campaign, who believes that “it will look a lot like a commission.”

“What’s going to happen is you’re now going to experience the side effects of the vaccines. You will have the opportunity to choose for yourself, if that is what you want to do. The choice will be made to the public, and that’s it. No vaccine will be erased. What you will be given is honest, transparent and informed consent goes back to the vaccination program,” Bigtree said.

The transition between administrations is a government-regulated process, in which the White House and the General Services Administration play key roles.

The Trump-Vance transition team has not yet reached agreements with the White House or the General Services Administration, according to a White House official. White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients contacted McMahon and Lutnick on Wednesday to clarify the intent for an orderly transition and reiterate the role of the agreements, according to the official. The GSA also said it informed Trump’s transition team of his eligibility for post-election services and expressed readiness to work with his team to finalize the deal. Trump’s team is in conversation with the transition coordinator.

“I really think the whole country needs to come together and realize that they have everyone’s best interests at heart and they’re going to do what’s best to help bring the country together and help,” supporter April Owen said following her election night.

“…He’s been there before, so he doesn’t need to go through a year of training. He learned from his mistakes. He knows what is good. He has people to help him pick the right cabinet members this time,” party supporter Jill Woolbright said.