Biden welcomes Trump warmly before power handover


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In a gracious display of presidential transition, Joe Biden extended a warm “welcome home” greeting to President-elect Donald Trump at the White House entrance on Monday.

The moment occurred as Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed Donald and Melania Trump for the customary pre-inauguration tea gathering, a longstanding transition tradition.

“Welcome home,” Biden said to Trump as he stepped out of his limousine, according to ABC News.

Following their private discussion, which lasted approximately 35 minutes, the two leaders departed together for the Capitol where the inauguration ceremony would take place.

Continuing another presidential custom, Biden left a private note for Trump in the Oval Office desk drawer, though he chose not to reveal its contents. This mirrors Trump’s gesture from four years prior when he left a note for Biden.

The day’s events began with the Trumps attending services at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.