President-elect Donald Trump is meeting President Joe Biden at the White House today to discuss a "peaceful and orderly transition" of power. "That's what the American people deserve," Biden said in an address to the nation last week. He added, "I'll fulfill my oath, and I will honor the Constitution. On January 20, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America." During a presidential transition, an incumbent president will typically extend an invitation to the president-elect. However, in 2020, Trump, the sitting president, refused to acknowledge Biden's election victory and has yet to concede, alleging unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud. Biden did not receive an invitation to the White House before his inauguration.
Follow Newsweek's live blog for updates.
09:30 AM EST
Trump creating 'MAGA military' with purge of generals, veterans group warns
VoteVets, a progressive veterans group, has warned that President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to fire top generals would politicize the military and transform it for the worse.
On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's transition team was considering a draft executive order that would establish a "warrior board" to review top military officers.
According to a draft of the executive order reviewed by the outlet, the proposed board would consist of retired senior military members tasked with reviewing three- and four-star generals and recommending the removal of those deemed unfit. The draft order proposes the retirement, within 30 days, of any officer deemed "lacking in requisite leadership qualities."
In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, Paul Eaton, a retired major general and the chairman of VoteVets, said the move would "be remembered as the first step in remaking the military from an apolitical force loyal to the Constitution into a MAGA Military, pledging fealty to Donald Trump."
Read the full story by Flynn Nichols on Newsweek.
09:25 AM EST
The 1600 Newsletter: Biden to meet Trump in Oval
Author of The 1600 Newsletter Carlo Versano writes this morning:
Good morning,
It's a big day in our nation's capital, with the president-elect traveling to his new/old home at the White House for the customary–and often excruciatingly awkward–meeting with the sitting president.
The last time Trump and Biden were in the same room, the fallout ended the latter's 50-year political career. But if you're expecting any sort of fireworks from the Oval today, this meeting is really meant to showcase the peaceful transition of power and institution of the U.S. presidency.
Trump and Obama held it in 2016, though Biden and Trump did not hold it four years ago given the transition of power then was not shaping up to be especially peaceful.
Across town, Trump will meet with the House GOP while Senate Republicans are set to vote on who they want to lead their majority come January. Vying for the job being vacated by Mitch McConnell: Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota (a.k.a. our most handsome senator).
Cornyn and Thune are both experienced, establishment picks to lead the chamber, but they've both got the same problem: a past that includes being somewhat critical of Trump. Even though both Johns have come home and mended fences with the prez-elect, his MAGA base is less forgiving.
Scott, meanwhile, is seen as the Trumpier option given his unyielding fealty to the base–but he is not popular among his Senate colleagues. And these elections are, above all else, popularity contests.
In the end, I'd bet on one of the Johns pulling through.
Subscribe to Newsweek's newsletters for more.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
English (US) ·