Biden promises peaceful transition of power following Trump victory

• Biden's first public remarks since Trump won came after Harris delivered a short speech at her alma mater Howard University on Wednesday.
• She told supporters: "While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign."
• Biden commended Harris' "inspiring" campaign and saluted her character.

Driving the news: Biden, during six-minute remarks, told the nation that there will be a "peaceful transition of power" on Jan. 20, 2025 and that he would "honor the Constitution."

• He also delivered a consolation message to his staff, who he acknowledged are "hurting."
• "You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbor only when you agree," Biden said to his supporters.
• "Something I hope we can do no matter who you voted for, to see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans, bring down the temperature."

Between the lines: Biden also said that he hopes "we can lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system," an implicit reference to Trump, who refused to concede in 2020 and repeatedly cast doubt in the elections ahead of Nov. 5.

• "It is honest, it is fair and it is transparent and it can be trusted, win or lose," Biden said.

State of play: Biden has already started to take some heat from members in his party for his decision to withdraw from the race late in the cycle, setting up Harris for a 100-day campaign sprint.

• He called Trump to congratulate him on Wednesday and invited the president-elect to the White House.

Go deeper: Democrats start clawing each others' eyes out

Editor's note: This story and headline have been updated to reflect Biden's remarks.