President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris stepped into the public eye together for the first time since last week’s heavy defeat in the presidential election to former President Donald Trump.
This was their first joint appearance after the challenging loss.
A Somber Moment at Arlington Cemetery
The pair, maintaining serious expressions, stood side by side on Monday morning at Arlington Cemetery to commemorate Veterans Day.
The moment was poignant, but there was little interaction between them as they made their way to their designated spots.
Their spouses, Dr. Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff, were seen standing in the crowd nearby, observing the ceremony.
A Week of Concessions and Reflections
It’s been six days since Trump triumphed in the election, securing victories in all seven battleground states.
On Wednesday, Harris made her way back to Howard University, the location where her election night party had been held, to formally concede the race.
Biden, on the other hand, delivered an upbeat address on Thursday from the White House Rose Garden, encouraging staff by telling them they had a lot to be proud of, despite the defeat.
Separate Paths After the Election
Though the two leaders have been navigating this loss separately, their absence from each other’s speeches was noticeable.
Biden did not attend Harris’s concession speech, and she wasn’t by his side when he spoke to Cabinet members and the press.
This divide is in contrast to their usual public partnership, raising questions about the campaign’s final days.
The 81-year-old Biden had been less involved in campaigning for Harris in the run-up to the election.
At one point, his remarks about Trump supporters, which were made during a Zoom call, had sparked controversy.
He was accused of calling Trump’s base “garbage,” though the White House clarified that he was referring to a comedian who had made derogatory comments about Puerto Rico.
A Show of Support
On Monday, there was a noticeable moment of warmth during the Veterans Day ceremony.
When the Executive Director of the Office of Army Cemeteries, Karen Durham-Aguilera, introduced Harris and Emhoff, the crowd responded with applause.
Biden clapped along enthusiastically, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared a hug with Emhoff, signaling a sense of camaraderie despite the political tension.
A Future Meeting with Trump
Looking ahead, Biden is scheduled to meet with Trump on Wednesday at the White House, part of the customary peaceful transition of power.
This gesture contrasts sharply with Trump’s actions four years ago, when he denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election, claiming it was stolen due to voter fraud.
So, with the transition underway, all eyes are on what the future holds for both Biden and Harris.
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