Donald Trump is set to meet with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, following a planned meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House—a gesture that marks the traditional beginning of the presidential power transfer.
House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed Trump’s Capitol visit during a press conference on Tuesday, where he celebrated the GOP’s electoral success. “We’re coordinating for him to meet with us, likely tomorrow morning before heading to the White House,” Johnson stated.
Trump has been assembling a Cabinet lineup drawn largely from current Republican legislators, including Senator Marco Rubio as the nominee for Secretary of State, Representative Elise Stefanik for Ambassador to the United Nations, and Representative Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser. With the Republicans holding a slim four-seat majority in the House, the balance of power remains critical. Johnson anticipates an even larger Republican majority once final counts are complete, though every GOP appointment to the administration tightens the party’s margin in Congress.
“The GOP has a wealth of talent,” Johnson remarked, noting the challenges posed by each new appointment. “President Trump understands the importance of keeping our numbers strong in the House.”
Trump’s meeting with Biden is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET. Biden has pledged a smooth transition, saying, “I’ve directed my administration to fully cooperate with Trump’s team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power, as the American people deserve.”
Traditionally, this meeting includes a photo opportunity with the outgoing and incoming presidents seated side by side in the Oval Office. Trump, however, opted out of this tradition following his defeat in the 2020 election, reflecting the contentious atmosphere of that race.
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