President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden held their highly anticipated meeting at the White House on Wednesday morning.
Trump said: “It is a nice world today, and I appreciate very much a transition that’s so smooth. It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that, Joe.”
President Biden: “You’re welcome.”
Biden added: “Well, Mr. President-elect and former President Donald, congratulations, and looking forward to having a smooth transition.”
Many on X joked that Biden looks “happy” and “energetic” to speak with Trump.
Earlier this week, Trump outlined his plans to “dismantle” the so-called “deep state” and take back American democracy from Washington’s “corruption.”
In a video message, Trump’s ten-point plan tries to change how the federal government works, focusing on changing long-standing bureaucratic structures and practices in the national security and intelligence areas. His plan includes executive orders, reforms, and a push for structural changes within government agencies. It focuses on openness and responsibility.
He says that Trump’s first step is to instantly reissue his 2020 Executive Order, which was meant to give the president the power to fire government workers he sees as “rogue bureaucrats.” In his speech, Trump was clear about what he wanted to do: “Here is my plan to destroy the deep state and take back our democracy from corrupt Washington once and for all—and corrupt it is.” First, I will instantly reissue my 2020 Executive Order that gives the President the power to fire bad bureaucrats, and I will use that power very strongly.
Trump’s second action point calls for a complete review of the intelligence and national security agencies, which he has repeatedly said are being used against political opponents. He said, “We will get rid of all the corrupt people in our national security and intelligence apparatus.”
He also said that these agencies would be changed to stop what he called the targeting of conservatives, Christians, and other people seen as political enemies. Trump thinks these changes are necessary to ensure these powerful organizations work impartially.
Trump’s third idea was about the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) courts. These courts permit intelligence agencies to spy on people. He said, “We will totally reform FISA courts, which are so corrupt that the judges seem to not care when they are lied to in warrant applications.” He was critical of the FISA courts for their role in what he called “fraudulent warrant applications.” Trump said that many FISA judges are aware that these cases are wrong but don’t do anything about it. He promises to change this practice.