President Obama vows a smooth transition of power: 'We are all on the same team'

(Image credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

published 9 November 2016

President Barack Obama stressed the importance of a peaceful transition of power during a speech in the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday. "It is no secret that the president-elect and I have some pretty significant differences," Obama said, while vowing his administration would do everything possible to ensure the transition to a Trump government goes smoothly.

Obama also praised Hillary Clinton for her hard-fought campaign, telling her supporters that democracy "isn't always inspiring … but you have to stay encouraged."

"Everybody is sad when their side loses the election," Obama explained. "But the day after, we have to remember we're all on the same team. This is an intramural scrimmage … We all want what's best for this country." Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.