npr--2020-11-07--From Jubilation To Dismay, A Divided Nation Reacts To Biden's Victory

From Jubilation To Dismay , A Divided Nation Reacts To Biden 's Victory For nearly four days , tension mounted in American households as an anxious nation awaited the results of the presidential election .
But in an instant on Saturday , that tension washed away .
It took only seconds after Joe Biden was declared the winner over President Trump for a divided country 's relief , frustration , anger and joy over the outcome to begin spilling into the streets .
In Washington , D.C. , elated crowds gathered outside the White House , erupting in cheers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they were over Biden 's victory .
`` Goodbye ! ''
sang the large crowd gathered in Black Lives Matter Plaza , directing their voices toward the White House .
`` Nah , nah , nah , nah , Goodbye ! ''
In Chicago , Kimmy Fuller was among the revelers who took over a street corner on the city 's North Side .
`` Words ca n't even express it .
It 's a great day , '' Fuller said , adding that the feeling of relief was overwhelming her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the president 's treatment of Black and brown Americans .
`` We need to be reunited .
Because the racism is just too much .
It 's so despicable . ''
In Manhattan 's Times Square , hundreds gathered to wave U.S. flags and chant `` no more years . ''
Theresa Francis said she was thrilled that `` sanity will be restored to the White House '' and that Kamala Harris had been elected the nation 's first Black vice president .
Similar celebrations erupted in cities from Los Angeles to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing state cities that are proving pivotal to Biden 's victory .
In Atlanta , intersections were overrun by impromptu dance parties that made way for cars parading by — their occupants craning their bodies out of passenger windows to wave Biden campaign flags .
And in Philadelphia , downtown streets were a cacophony of car horns and cheers as strangers celebrated with strangers .
A jubilant crowd steadily swelled outside Independence Hall , which for days has been the site of a demonstration in support of counting every vote .
But in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flared between Biden and Trump supporters .
In northeast Philadelphia , dozens of police officers were reportedly called in to control the scene when an angry argument broke out , outside a planned pro-Trump press conference .
Indeed , the public jubilation expressed in the nation 's Democratic strongholds was matched by displays of dismay or defiance from Trump supporters in many parts of the country , many of whom have refused to accept the election 's results .
In Colorado Springs , Colo. , several hundred Trump supporters gathered outside City Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other parts of the state .
The crowd waved Trump flags , chanted `` four more years '' and let out loud cheers as speakers at the rally claimed the election had been stolen from President Trump .
`` I will never accept Biden-Harris as my president , '' said Ron Sauve , at a pro-Trump rally in Phoenix .
`` Not with this kind of cloud hanging over it . ''
Some of the people around him , displaying pistols and long guns , demanded a redo of Arizona 's election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters staged a `` Stop the Count '' demonstration , echoing the president 's unsubstantiated claim that mail-in voting is fraudulent .
And in Alabama , the president 's supporters gathered outside the state Capitol to protest Biden 's victory , wave Trump flags and pray .
One demonstrator vowed to keep protesting until `` this is all over . ''
NPR correspondents Cheryl Corley and Eric Westervelt , as well as Kyle Gassiott of Troy Public Radio and New York journalist Sally Herships contributed to this story .

From Jubilation To Dismay, A Divided Nation Reacts To Biden's Victory
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Updated at 6:32 p.m. ET
For nearly four days, tension mounted in American households as an anxious nation awaited the results of the presidential election. But in an instant on Saturday, that tension washed away.
It took only seconds after Joe Biden was declared the winner over President Trump for a divided country's relief, frustration, anger and joy over the outcome to begin spilling into the streets.
In Washington, D.C., elated crowds gathered outside the White House, erupting in cheers that seemed as celebratory over Trump's loss as they were over Biden's victory.
"Goodbye!" sang the large crowd gathered in Black Lives Matter Plaza, directing their voices toward the White House. "Nah, nah, nah, nah, Goodbye!"
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
toggle caption Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images
In Chicago, Kimmy Fuller was among the revelers who took over a street corner on the city's North Side.
"Words can't even express it. It's a great day," Fuller said, adding that the feeling of relief was overwhelming her. She said she had spent years dismayed over the president's treatment of Black and brown Americans. "We need to be reunited. Because the racism is just too much. It's so despicable."
In Manhattan's Times Square, hundreds gathered to wave U.S. flags and chant "no more years."
toggle caption Julio Cortez/AP
toggle caption Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images
toggle caption Noah Berger/AP
Theresa Francis said she was thrilled that "sanity will be restored to the White House" and that Kamala Harris had been elected the nation's first Black vice president.
Similar celebrations erupted in cities from Los Angeles to Boston, including in some of the swing state cities that are proving pivotal to Biden's victory.
In Atlanta, intersections were overrun by impromptu dance parties that made way for cars parading by — their occupants craning their bodies out of passenger windows to wave Biden campaign flags.
toggle caption Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images
And in Philadelphia, downtown streets were a cacophony of car horns and cheers as strangers celebrated with strangers. A jubilant crowd steadily swelled outside Independence Hall, which for days has been the site of a demonstration in support of counting every vote.
toggle caption Brynn Anderson/AP
But in other areas of the city, animosity flared between Biden and Trump supporters. In northeast Philadelphia, dozens of police officers were reportedly called in to control the scene when an angry argument broke out, outside a planned pro-Trump press conference.
Indeed, the public jubilation expressed in the nation's Democratic strongholds was matched by displays of dismay or defiance from Trump supporters in many parts of the country, many of whom have refused to accept the election's results.
toggle caption Ross D. Franklin/AP
toggle caption Octavio Jones/Getty Images
toggle caption Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
In Colorado Springs, Colo., several hundred Trump supporters gathered outside City Hall after driving in via caravans from Denver and other parts of the state. The crowd waved Trump flags, chanted "four more years" and let out loud cheers as speakers at the rally claimed the election had been stolen from President Trump.
"I will never accept Biden-Harris as my president," said Ron Sauve, at a pro-Trump rally in Phoenix. "Not with this kind of cloud hanging over it."
Some of the people around him, displaying pistols and long guns, demanded a redo of Arizona's election.
toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images
Similar pro-Trump rallies formed in Salem, Ore., Albuquerque, N.M., and Nashville, Tenn.
In Boise, Idaho, Trump supporters staged a "Stop the Count" demonstration, echoing the president's unsubstantiated claim that mail-in voting is fraudulent.
And in Alabama, the president's supporters gathered outside the state Capitol to protest Biden's victory, wave Trump flags and pray. One demonstrator vowed to keep protesting until "this is all over."
toggle caption Wong Maye-E/AP
NPR correspondents Cheryl Corley and Eric Westervelt, as well as Kyle Gassiott of Troy Public Radio and New York journalist Sally Herships contributed to this story.


npr--2020-11-07--Climate Activists Cheer Biden Win

Climate Activists Cheer Biden Win

Climate change likely will be a major focus as President-elect Joe Biden prepares for his inauguration in January .
During the campaign , Biden proposed a sweeping $ 2 trillion climate plan .
It sets goals of net-zero carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2035 and the entire U.S. economy by 2050 .
Biden vows to rejoin the Paris climate accord , conserve large areas of land and water for biodiversity , stop offshore drilling in the Arctic and invest a massive amount of money in green energy and infrastructure such as wind , solar , high-speed trains and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his plan will provide `` good-paying union jobs that put Americans to work , building a stronger , more climate-resilient nation . ''
Reaction from environmental groups came quickly after The Associated Press called the race for the former vice president .
`` We f***ing did it , '' Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakash wrote in an email to supporters .
Her youth-focused group said it helped turn out young voters concerned about climate change .
`` Voters just gave our country and our planet a fighting chance to solve the climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bonfiglio said .
His group , the political arm of the Environmental Defense Fund , said it spent more than $ 3 million on ads and get-out-the-vote programs to help Biden win .
Fossil fuel industry groups generally favor Republicans for political offices , but the head of a group that represents the natural gas pipeline industry issued a statement congratulating Biden .
`` Our team stands ready to work with the Biden Administration and policymakers from both parties in pursuit of an innovative , cleaner energy future that puts the unique advantages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Amy Andryszak , president and CEO of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America .
Natural gas , or methane , has a lower carbon footprint than other fossil fuels such as coal .
The industry hopes there will be room for its fuel , perhaps with carbon capture technology , under the Biden climate plan .
American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle issued a statement after the election , saying , `` If Joe Biden shuffles into the White House , he will do so lacking any kind of mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of our domestic natural resources , ban fracking on federal lands , or impose a carbon tax or other restrictive carbon policies on the American public . ''
Biden 's climate plan relies on a friendly Congress willing to pass his legislative proposals .
It appears the House of Representatives will remain in Democratic hands , but it is n't clear yet what will happen in the Senate .
That chamber could remain in Republican hands , where climate legislation would be greeted with skepticism , if not outright opposition .

Climate Activists Cheer Biden Win
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Climate change likely will be a major focus as President-elect Joe Biden prepares for his inauguration in January.
During the campaign, Biden proposed a sweeping $2 trillion climate plan. It sets goals of net-zero carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2035 and the entire U.S. economy by 2050.
Biden vows to rejoin the Paris climate accord, conserve large areas of land and water for biodiversity, stop offshore drilling in the Arctic and invest a massive amount of money in green energy and infrastructure such as wind, solar, high-speed trains and electric car chargers.
Biden has said his plan will provide "good-paying union jobs that put Americans to work, building a stronger, more climate-resilient nation."
Reaction from environmental groups came quickly after The Associated Press called the race for the former vice president.
"We f***ing did it," Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakash wrote in an email to supporters. Her youth-focused group said it helped turn out young voters concerned about climate change.
"Voters just gave our country and our planet a fighting chance to solve the climate crisis," EDF Action President Joe Bonfiglio said. His group, the political arm of the Environmental Defense Fund, said it spent more than $3 million on ads and get-out-the-vote programs to help Biden win.
Fossil fuel industry groups generally favor Republicans for political offices, but the head of a group that represents the natural gas pipeline industry issued a statement congratulating Biden.
"Our team stands ready to work with the Biden Administration and policymakers from both parties in pursuit of an innovative, cleaner energy future that puts the unique advantages of natural gas to good use," said Amy Andryszak, president and CEO of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America. Natural gas, or methane, has a lower carbon footprint than other fossil fuels such as coal. The industry hopes there will be room for its fuel, perhaps with carbon capture technology, under the Biden climate plan.
American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle issued a statement after the election, saying, "If Joe Biden shuffles into the White House, he will do so lacking any kind of mandate to make energy more expensive, restrict the use of our domestic natural resources, ban fracking on federal lands, or impose a carbon tax or other restrictive carbon policies on the American public."
Biden's climate plan relies on a friendly Congress willing to pass his legislative proposals. It appears the House of Representatives will remain in Democratic hands, but it isn't clear yet what will happen in the Senate. That chamber could remain in Republican hands, where climate legislation would be greeted with skepticism, if not outright opposition.


npr--2020-11-07--'A Victory For We The People': Biden Addresses Nation As President-Elect

' A Victory For We The People ' : Biden Addresses Nation As President-Elect President-elect Joe Biden called for healing and cooperation in a victory speech on Saturday night , striking an optimistic tone about the prospects for a renewed and reunited America .
`` I sought this office to restore the soul of America , to rebuild the backbone of this nation , '' Biden said .
`` And to make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home .
It is the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the work of making that vision real — it 's a task , the task , of our times . ''
`` I 've long talked about the battle for the soul of America , '' he said .
`` It 's time for our better angels to prevail . ''
Biden did not directly acknowledge President Trump 's false claims to have won the election .
The Associated Press and others called the election for Biden on Saturday morning .
`` The people of this nation have spoken , '' Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear victory , a convincing victory , a victory for 'we the people ' . ''
But the former vice president , who pledged throughout his candidacy that he would represent the Americans who voted for Trump as well as those who voted for him , reiterated that promise in his address Saturday .
`` Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end here and now , '' he said , calling for Democrats and Republicans in Congress to cooperate with each other .
He also emphasized the vital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hitting new record levels , promising to bring experts onto his transition team beginning on Monday .
`` I will spare no effort ... to turn around this pandemic , '' he said .
As a grim and difficult year draws to a close , Biden hearkened back to history with calls of American exceptionalism and laid out a hopeful vision for the future .
`` Now together on eagle 's wings , we embark on the work that God ... called us to do , '' Biden said , citing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family .
`` With full hearts and steady hands , with faith in America and each other , with love of country , a thirst for justice , let us be the nation that we know we can be – a nation united , a nation strengthened , a nation healed , the United States of America . ''
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , who will make history as the first woman , first Black person and first Asian American to serve as vice president , spoke Saturday evening ahead of Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the voters who participated in an election with record turnout .
`` You chose hope and unity , decency , science and , yes , truth , '' she said .
`` You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America . ''
Harris celebrated the groundbreaking nature of her victory , too : `` Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities . ''
Biden and Harris spoke Saturday night in Wilmington , Del .
Like many of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a drive-in rally to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
Masked supporters were cheering and waving flags from car hoods and pickup beds .
The former vice president 's path to being elected the 46th president of the United States was a tumultuous one , marked by unprecedented campaign challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic and an incumbent opponent who declared a premature victory , baselessly attacked the integrity of the election and is now filing a flurry of last-minute legal actions in an attempt to deny Biden 's victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , but in written remarks , he refused to concede .
In a statement , he vowed to take the election to the courts and falsely accused Biden of seeking to violate election laws .
On Twitter , he inaccurately claimed victory and asserted that observers had not been allowed access to vote counts , which is false .
Some prominent Republicans have congratulated Biden and pushed back on Trump 's false claims of fraud , while others have either remained silent or expressed support for Trump 's legal challenges to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's prepared remarks below .
My fellow Americans , the people of this nation have spoken .
They have delivered us a clear victory .
A convincing victory .
A victory for `` We the People . ''
We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation — 74 million .
I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me .
I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide , but to unify .
Who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but a United States .
And who will work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people .
For that is what America is about : The people .
And that is what our Administration will be about .
I sought this office to restore the soul of America .
To rebuild the backbone of the nation — the middle class .
To make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home .
It is the honor of my lifetime that so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision .
And now the work of making this vision real is the task of our time .
As I said many times before , I 'm Jill 's husband .
I would not be here without the love and tireless support of Jill , Hunter , Ashley , all of our grandchildren and their spouses , and all our family .
They are my heart .
She has dedicated her life to education , but teaching is n't just what she does — it 's who she is .
For America 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : You 're going to have one of your own in the White House , and Jill is going to make a great First Lady .
And I will be honored to be serving with a fantastic vice president — Kamala Harris — who will make history as the first woman , first Black woman , first woman of South Asian descent , and first daughter of immigrants ever elected to national office in this country .
It 's long overdue , and we 're reminded tonight of all those who fought so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this happen .
But once again , America has bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice .
Kamala , Doug — like it or not — you 're family .
You 've become honorary Bidens and there 's no way out .
To all those who volunteered , worked the polls in the middle of this pandemic , local election officials — you deserve a special thanks from this nation .
To my campaign team , and all the volunteers , to all those who gave so much of themselves to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you everything .
And to all those who supported us : I am proud of the campaign we built and ran .
I am proud of the coalition we put together , the broadest and most diverse in history .
And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest — the African American community stood up again for me .
They always have my back , and I 'll have yours .
I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America , and I think we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want the administration to look like .
And to those who voted for President Trump , I understand your disappointment tonight .
But now , let 's give each other a chance .
It 's time to put away the harsh rhetoric .
To see each other again .
To listen to each other again .
To make progress , we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy .
We are not enemies .
We are Americans .
The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season — a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a time to sow .
And a time to heal .
This is the time to heal in America .
Now that the campaign is over — what is the people 's will ?
What is our mandate ?
I believe it is this : Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and the forces of fairness .
To marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time .
The battle to control the virus .
The battle to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country .
The battle to save the climate .
The battle to restore decency , defend democracy , and give everybody in this country a fair shot .
Our work begins with getting COVID under control .
We can not repair the economy , restore our vitality , or relish life 's most precious moments — hugging a grandchild , birthdays , weddings , graduations , all the moments that matter most to us — until we get this virus under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name a group of leading scientists and experts as Transition Advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on January 20th , 2021 .
That plan will be built on a bedrock of science .
It will be constructed out of compassion , empathy , and concern .
I will spare no effort — or commitment — to turn this pandemic around .
I ran as a proud Democrat .
I will now be an American president .
I will work as hard for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — as those who did .
Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end — here and now .
The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control .
It 's a decision .
It 's a choice we make .
And if we can decide not to cooperate , then we can decide to cooperate .
And I believe that this is part of the mandate from the American people .
They want us to cooperate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I call on the Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — to make that choice with me .
The American story is about the slow , yet steady widening of opportunity .
Make no mistake : Too many dreams have been deferred for too long .
We must make the promise of the country real for everybody — no matter their race , their ethnicity , their faith , their identity , or their disability .
America has always been shaped by inflection points — by moments in time where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are and what we want to be .
Lincoln in 1860 — coming to save the Union .
And twelve years ago — when Barack Obama made history — and told us , `` Yes , we can . ''
We stand again at an inflection point .
We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and purpose .
We can do it .
I know we can .
I 've long talked about the battle for the soul of America .
We must restore the soul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses .
It is time for our better angels to prevail .
Tonight , the whole world is watching America .
I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe .
And we lead not by the example of our power , but by the power of our example .
I 've always believed we can define America in one word : Possibilities .
That in America everyone should be given the opportunity to go as far as their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You see , I believe in the possibility of this country .
We 're always looking ahead .
Ahead to an America that 's freer and more just .
Ahead to an America that creates jobs with dignity and respect .
Ahead to an America that cures disease — like cancer and Alzheimers .
Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind .
Ahead to an America that never gives up , never gives in .
And we are a good people .
This is the United States of America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have n't been able to do when we 've done it together .
In the last days of the campaign , I 've been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family , particularly my deceased son Beau .
It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America .
And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year .
My heart goes out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopefully this hymn gives you solace as well .
`` And He will raise you up on eagle 's wings , Bear you on the breath of dawn , Make you to shine like the sun , And hold you in the palm of His Hand . ''
And now , together — on eagle 's wings — we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do .
With full hearts and steady hands , with faith in America and in each other , with a love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice — let us be the nation that we know we can be .
And may God protect our troops .

Hope, Healing And 'Better Angels': Biden Declares Victory And Vows Unity
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Updated on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. ET
President-elect Joe Biden called for healing and cooperation in his victory speech on Saturday night, striking an optimistic tone about the prospects for a renewed and reunited America.
"I sought this office to restore the soul of America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, and to make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home," Biden said at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del. "It is the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for that vision. And now, the work of making that vision real — it's a task, the task, of our times."
"I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America," he said. "It's time for our better angels to prevail."
Read a transcript of Biden's remarks below.
Biden did not directly acknowledge President Trump's false claims to have won the election. The Associated Press and other news outlets called the election for Biden on Saturday morning.
"The people of this nation have spoken," Biden declared. "They've delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory, a victory for 'we the people'."
But the former vice president, who pledged throughout his candidacy that he would represent the Americans who voted for Trump as well as those who voted for him, reiterated that promise in his address Saturday.
"Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end here and now," he said, calling for Democrats and Republicans in Congress to cooperate with each other.
He also emphasized the vital importance of controlling the coronavirus, which is hitting new record levels, promising to bring experts onto his transition team beginning on Monday.
"I will spare no effort ... to turn around this pandemic," he said.
As a grim and difficult year draws to a close, Biden hearkened back to history with calls of American exceptionalism and laid out a hopeful vision for the future.
"Now together on eagle's wings, we embark on the work that God ... called us to do," Biden said, citing a hymn he said has brought comfort to his family.
"With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and each other, with love of country, a thirst for justice, let us be the nation that we know we can be – a nation united, a nation strengthened, a nation healed, the United States of America."
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — who is set to make history as the first woman, first Black person and first Asian American to serve as vice president — spoke Saturday evening ahead of Biden's speech. She thanked election workers as well as the voters who participated in an election with record turnout.
"You chose hope and unity, decency, science and, yes, truth," she said. "You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America."
Harris celebrated the groundbreaking nature of her victory, too: "Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities."
toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Like many of their campaign stops, the Wilmington event Saturday was held as a drive-in rally to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Masked supporters were cheering and waving flags from car hoods and pickup beds.
The former vice president's path to being elected the 46th president of the United States was a tumultuous one, marked by unprecedented campaign challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic and an incumbent opponent who declared a premature victory, baselessly attacked the integrity of the election and is now filing a flurry of last-minute legal actions in an attempt to deny Biden's victory.
Trump did not speak publicly on Saturday, but in written remarks, he refused to concede. In a statement, he vowed to take the election to the courts and falsely accused Biden of seeking to violate election laws. On Twitter, he inaccurately claimed victory and asserted that observers had not been allowed access to vote counts, which is false.
Some prominent Republicans have congratulated Biden and pushed back on Trump's false claims of fraud, while others have either remained silent or expressed support for Trump's legal challenges to the voting process.
Biden empathized with those who supported the outgoing president.
"To those who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment tonight," Biden said in his speech. "I've lost a couple of elections myself. But now, let's give each other a chance."
Read the transcript of Biden's prepared remarks below, as released by his campaign.
My fellow Americans, the people of this nation have spoken.
They have delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory.
A victory for "We the People."
We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation — 74 million.
I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me.
I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide, but to unify.
Who doesn't see Red and Blue states, but a United States.
And who will work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people.
For that is what America is about: The people.
And that is what our Administration will be about.
I sought this office to restore the soul of America.
To rebuild the backbone of the nation — the middle class.
To make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home.
It is the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for this vision.
And now the work of making this vision real is the task of our time.
As I said many times before, I'm Jill's husband.
I would not be here without the love and tireless support of Jill, Hunter, Ashley, all of our grandchildren and their spouses, and all our family.
They are my heart.
Jill's a mom — a military mom — and an educator.
She has dedicated her life to education, but teaching isn't just what she does — it's who she is. For America's educators, this is a great day: You're going to have one of your own in the White House, and Jill is going to make a great First Lady.
And I will be honored to be serving with a fantastic vice president — Kamala Harris — who will make history as the first woman, first Black woman, first woman of South Asian descent, and first daughter of immigrants ever elected to national office in this country.
It's long overdue, and we're reminded tonight of all those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. But once again, America has bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice.
Kamala, Doug — like it or not — you're family. You've become honorary Bidens and there's no way out.
To all those who volunteered, worked the polls in the middle of this pandemic, local election officials — you deserve a special thanks from this nation.
To my campaign team, and all the volunteers, to all those who gave so much of themselves to make this moment possible, I owe you everything.
And to all those who supported us: I am proud of the campaign we built and ran. I am proud of the coalition we put together, the broadest and most diverse in history.
Democrats, Republicans and Independents.
Progressives, moderates and conservatives.
Young and old.
Urban, suburban and rural.
Gay, straight, transgender.
White. Latino. Asian. Native American.
And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest — the African American community stood up again for me. They always have my back, and I'll have yours.
I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America, and I think we did that. Now that's what I want the administration to look like.
And to those who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment tonight.
I've lost a couple of elections myself.
But now, let's give each other a chance.
It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric.
To lower the temperature.
To see each other again.
To listen to each other again.
To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy.
We are not enemies. We are Americans.
The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season — a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal.
This is the time to heal in America.
Now that the campaign is over — what is the people's will? What is our mandate?
I believe it is this: Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and the forces of fairness. To marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time.
The battle to control the virus.
The battle to build prosperity.
The battle to secure your family's health care.
The battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country.
The battle to save the climate.
The battle to restore decency, defend democracy, and give everybody in this country a fair shot.
Our work begins with getting COVID under control.
We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality, or relish life's most precious moments — hugging a grandchild, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us — until we get this virus under control.
On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as Transition Advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on January 20th, 2021.
That plan will be built on a bedrock of science. It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern.
I will spare no effort — or commitment — to turn this pandemic around.
I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn't vote for me — as those who did.
Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end — here and now.
The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control.
It's a decision. It's a choice we make.
And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that this is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate.
That's the choice I'll make. And I call on the Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — to make that choice with me.
The American story is about the slow, yet steady widening of opportunity.
Make no mistake: Too many dreams have been deferred for too long.
We must make the promise of the country real for everybody — no matter their race, their ethnicity, their faith, their identity, or their disability.
America has always been shaped by inflection points — by moments in time where we've made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be.
Lincoln in 1860 — coming to save the Union.
FDR in 1932 — promising a beleaguered country a New Deal.
JFK in 1960 — pledging a New Frontier.
And twelve years ago — when Barack Obama made history — and told us, "Yes, we can."
We stand again at an inflection point.
We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and purpose.
We can do it. I know we can.
I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America.
We must restore the soul of America.
Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses.
It is time for our better angels to prevail.
Tonight, the whole world is watching America. I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe.
And we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.
I've always believed we can define America in one word: Possibilities.
That in America everyone should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability will take them.
You see, I believe in the possibility of this country.
We're always looking ahead.
Ahead to an America that's freer and more just.
Ahead to an America that creates jobs with dignity and respect.
Ahead to an America that cures disease — like cancer and Alzheimers.
Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind.
Ahead to an America that never gives up, never gives in.
This is a great nation.
And we are a good people.
This is the United States of America.
And there has never been anything we haven't been able to do when we've done it together.
In the last days of the campaign, I've been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau. It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America.
And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Hopefully this hymn gives you solace as well.
"And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand."
And now, together — on eagle's wings — we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do.
With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country — and a thirst for justice — let us be the nation that we know we can be.
A nation united.
A nation strengthened.
A nation healed.
The United States of America.
God bless you.
And may God protect our troops.


npr--2020-11-07--Democrats Are Ecstatic About The Biden-Harris Win; Republicans' Reaction Is Mixed

Democrats Are Ecstatic About The Biden-Harris Win ; Republicans ' Reaction Is Mixed Democrats and Republicans are reacting to news that former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris were elected to the White House on Saturday , narrowly defeating President Trump in an election that hinged on several swing states .
Elated Democratic politicians congratulated the pair .
Rep. Joe Kennedy said he would connect Trump with Americans who could help him pack , and Sen. Chuck Schumer , the Senate minority leader , tweeted that `` the long dark night in America is over , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He joined a large crowd celebrating Biden 's victory in Brooklyn 's Grand Army Plaza .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that a `` record-shattering 75 million '' votes for Biden and Harris is `` a historic victory that has handed Democrats a mandate for action . ''
Sen. Cory Booker said , `` I feel like our ancestors are rejoicing .
For the first time , a Black and South Asian woman has been elected Vice President of the United States . ''
Former President Jimmy Carter congratulated Biden and Harris , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud of their well-run campaign and look forward to seeing the positive change they bring to our nation . ''
Sen. Tammy Duckworth , D-Ill. , tweeted that while she is celebrating , she recognizes that `` a lot of people are n't . ''
`` So many Trump voters are also working families and believed that he would improve their lives , '' Duckworth said .
`` We must see that they are hurting and fight attempts to divide us as we work to rebuild our beloved nation . ''
Some Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new administration , including Michigan Rep. Fred Upton , who tweeted that he plans to work to `` come together , bridge divisions , and focus on solutions . ''
Cindy McCain , the widow of Sen. John McCain , tweeted that `` Joe will unify the country toward a better future . ''
Sen. Mitt Romney also offered his congratulations to Biden and Harris , tweeting that they are `` people of good will and admirable character . ''
Several Republican senators are urging voters and party donors to `` Keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP goal now , with two runoff races looming in Georgia that are crucial to deciding control of the Senate .
`` A Democratic majority in the Senate would cinch the radical agenda of the left , '' Sen. John Cornyn tweeted .
`` They must be stopped on January 5th in Georgia . ''
Other Republicans either contested the election results or have not spoken out .
Texas Republican Rep. Brian Babin tweeted that `` the fight is n't over . ''
Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar tweeted `` ThE eLeCtiOn IsNt OvEr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' echoing the messaging from Trump , who has not conceded .
Rep. Jim Jordan accused Democrats of using a double standard , noting that many of Hillary Clinton 's supporters questioned the integrity of Trump 's win in 2016 .
Trump has baselessly accused Democrats of manipulating the 2020 vote .
`` No matter what the media tells you , this is NOT over , '' Rep. Doug Collins tweeted .
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon , on the other hand , told NPR on Saturday that the `` handwriting is on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said that once the president 's court battles have played out , Trump should `` proceed graciously . ''

Democrats Are Ecstatic About The Biden-Harris Win; Republicans' Reaction Is Mixed
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images
Democrats and Republicans are reacting to news that former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris were elected to the White House on Saturday, narrowly defeating President Trump in an election that hinged on several swing states.
Elated Democratic politicians congratulated the pair. Rep. Joe Kennedy said he would connect Trump with Americans who could help him pack, and Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, tweeted that "the long dark night in America is over, and a new dawn is coming." He joined a large crowd celebrating Biden's victory in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that a "record-shattering 75 million" votes for Biden and Harris is "a historic victory that has handed Democrats a mandate for action."
Sen. Cory Booker said, "I feel like our ancestors are rejoicing. For the first time, a Black and South Asian woman has been elected Vice President of the United States."
Former President Jimmy Carter congratulated Biden and Harris, saying he and his wife are "proud of their well-run campaign and look forward to seeing the positive change they bring to our nation."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., tweeted that while she is celebrating, she recognizes that "a lot of people aren't."
"So many Trump voters are also working families and believed that he would improve their lives," Duckworth said. "We must see that they are hurting and fight attempts to divide us as we work to rebuild our beloved nation."
Some Republicans said they are committed to working with the new administration, including Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, who tweeted that he plans to work to "come together, bridge divisions, and focus on solutions."
Cindy McCain, the widow of Sen. John McCain, tweeted that "Joe will unify the country toward a better future."
Sen. Mitt Romney also offered his congratulations to Biden and Harris, tweeting that they are "people of good will and admirable character."
Several Republican senators are urging voters and party donors to "Keep the Senate red" — a key GOP goal now, with two runoff races looming in Georgia that are crucial to deciding control of the Senate.
"A Democratic majority in the Senate would cinch the radical agenda of the left," Sen. John Cornyn tweeted. "They must be stopped on January 5th in Georgia."
Other Republicans either contested the election results or have not spoken out. Texas Republican Rep. Brian Babin tweeted that "the fight isn't over."
Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar tweeted "ThE eLeCtiOn IsNt OvEr UnTiL aLL tHe VoTeS aRe CoUnTed," echoing the messaging from Trump, who has not conceded.
Rep. Jim Jordan accused Democrats of using a double standard, noting that many of Hillary Clinton's supporters questioned the integrity of Trump's win in 2016. Trump has baselessly accused Democrats of manipulating the 2020 vote.
"No matter what the media tells you, this is NOT over," Rep. Doug Collins tweeted.
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, on the other hand, told NPR on Saturday that the "handwriting is on the wall" for Trump's loss. He said that once the president's court battles have played out, Trump should "proceed graciously."


npr--2020-11-07--U.S. Sets Another Single-Day Record For Coronavirus Cases

U.S. Sets Another Single-Day Record For Coronavirus Cases President-elect Joe Biden will have his work cut out for him .
The United States added 126,480 new coronavirus cases on Friday , according to data released Saturday by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center .
It 's the third day in a row that the U.S. has set a daily record , bringing the total number of infections in the country to more than 9.7 million .
More than 236,000 have died .
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have laid out a comprehensive plan to try to get the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic testing board to produce and distribute tens of millions of tests , and a U.S. public health jobs corp to mobilize at least 100,000 Americans to help with contact tracing and protecting at-risk populations .
But it 's unclear how effective these steps will be against a virus poised to surge even more as colder weather sets in and people retreat indoors .
`` You have to be really worried what January is going to look like , what December is going to look like right now given the way this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told CNBC on Friday .
More than half the country is seeing unchecked community spread , defined as more than 25 daily new cases per 100,000 people .
Close to 55,000 people were in the hospital Friday with COVID-19 , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
`` Hospitals are definitely strained and societal measures remain relatively liberal , '' Dr. David Brett-Major , professor of epidemiology at the University of Nebraska , told The New York Times .
`` You just do n't get the feeling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously . ''
The challenge of containing the latest surge in cases has extended to the White House , with the news late Friday that President Trump 's chief of staff , Mark Meadows , has tested positive for the coronavirus .
Meadows is the latest member of the president 's circle to contract the virus .
Multiple White House staffers and campaign aides have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent weeks , and the president was hospitalized for COVID-19 in October .
Although America is the world leader in coronavirus infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many European countries have seen exponential growth in recent weeks .
National lockdowns are in effect in several countries there , including England , Greece and Italy .
Charts of the virus 's spread in France , Poland and Germany all show classic hockey-stick shaped graphs , indicating the virus is nowhere near under control .
France had the second-highest rate of infections in the world Friday , with 60,727 cases and 828 deaths .
French nursing homes alone have seen more than 400 COVID-19 deaths in the past week , with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families .
`` I cry every day , '' Paris nursing home resident Patricia Deliry , 81 , told The Associated Press .
France is among several European countries that have imposed new lockdowns in the face of continued infections .
But at least in France , the public is n't observing the lockdown as stringently as it did during the country 's first lockdown in March .
According to Le Monde , during the week since the latest lockdown has been in place , there has been about a 30 % drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 % decline in traffic during the first lockdown .

U.S. Sets Another Single-Day Record For Coronavirus Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP Carolyn Kaster/AP
President-elect Joe Biden will have his work cut out for him.
The United States added 126,480 new coronavirus cases on Friday, according to data released Saturday by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. It's the third day in a row that the U.S. has set a daily record, bringing the total number of infections in the country to more than 9.7 million. More than 236,000 have died.
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have laid out a comprehensive plan to try to get the virus under control, including the creation of a pandemic testing board to produce and distribute tens of millions of tests, and a U.S. public health jobs corp to mobilize at least 100,000 Americans to help with contact tracing and protecting at-risk populations.
But it's unclear how effective these steps will be against a virus poised to surge even more as colder weather sets in and people retreat indoors.
"You have to be really worried what January is going to look like, what December is going to look like right now given the way this is rising," former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told CNBC on Friday.
More than half the country is seeing unchecked community spread, defined as more than 25 daily new cases per 100,000 people. Close to 55,000 people were in the hospital Friday with COVID-19, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
"Hospitals are definitely strained and societal measures remain relatively liberal," Dr. David Brett-Major, professor of epidemiology at the University of Nebraska, told The New York Times. "You just don't get the feeling that folks are committed to enforcing taking it seriously."
The challenge of containing the latest surge in cases has extended to the White House, with the news late Friday that President Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Meadows is the latest member of the president's circle to contract the virus. Multiple White House staffers and campaign aides have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent weeks, and the president was hospitalized for COVID-19 in October.
Although America is the world leader in coronavirus infections, other countries are catching up. Many European countries have seen exponential growth in recent weeks. National lockdowns are in effect in several countries there, including England, Greece and Italy. Charts of the virus's spread in France, Poland and Germany all show classic hockey-stick shaped graphs, indicating the virus is nowhere near under control.
France had the second-highest rate of infections in the world Friday, with 60,727 cases and 828 deaths. French nursing homes alone have seen more than 400 COVID-19 deaths in the past week, with some residents once again cut off from their families.
"I cry every day," Paris nursing home resident Patricia Deliry, 81, told The Associated Press.
France is among several European countries that have imposed new lockdowns in the face of continued infections. But at least in France, the public isn't observing the lockdown as stringently as it did during the country's first lockdown in March. According to Le Monde, during the week since the latest lockdown has been in place, there has been about a 30% drop in vehicle traffic — compared with an 80% decline in traffic during the first lockdown.


npr--2020-11-07--'I Could Not Be Prouder': President Obama Congratulates Biden On Win

' I Could Not Be Prouder ' : President Obama Congratulates Biden On Win President Barack Obama congratulated President-elect Joe Biden on his win , urging unity and saying that Biden will `` do the job with the best interests of every American at heart , whether or not he had their vote . ''
The Associated Press called the race for Biden on Saturday morning .
`` I encourage every American to give [ Biden ] a chance and lend him your support , '' Obama said , adding , `` the election results at every level show that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Obama acknowledged that Biden heads into office with several competing and ongoing crises facing the country .
`` We 're fortunate that Joe 's got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way .
Because when he walks into the White House in January , he 'll face a series of extraordinary challenges no incoming President ever has – a raging pandemic , an unequal economy and justice system , a democracy at risk , and a climate in peril.
`` Biden served as Obama 's vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House .
Their relationship has become an iconic staple for the Democratic Party .
Obama also extended well wishes to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , calling Harris ' win a `` groundbreaking election . ''
Harris makes history as the first woman to be elected vice president .
She is also the first Black and the first South Asian American woman elected vice president .
In the days leading up to Election Day , Obama campaigned for Biden in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Florida .
`` It will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but each of us , to do our part – to reach out beyond our comfort zone , to listen to others , to lower the temperature and find some common ground from which to move forward , all of us remembering that we are one nation , under God , '' Obama said .

'I Could Not Be Prouder': President Obama Congratulates Biden On Win
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brynn Anderson/AP Brynn Anderson/AP
President Barack Obama congratulated President-elect Joe Biden on his win, urging unity and saying that Biden will "do the job with the best interests of every American at heart, whether or not he had their vote."
The Associated Press called the race for Biden on Saturday morning.
"I encourage every American to give [Biden] a chance and lend him your support," Obama said, adding, "the election results at every level show that the country remains deeply and bitterly divided."
Obama acknowledged that Biden heads into office with several competing and ongoing crises facing the country.
"We're fortunate that Joe's got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way. Because when he walks into the White House in January, he'll face a series of extraordinary challenges no incoming President ever has – a raging pandemic, an unequal economy and justice system, a democracy at risk, and a climate in peril. "
Biden served as Obama's vice president through both of his terms in the White House. Their relationship has become an iconic staple for the Democratic Party.
Obama also extended well wishes to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, calling Harris' win a "groundbreaking election."
Harris makes history as the first woman to be elected vice president. She is also the first Black and the first South Asian American woman elected vice president.
In the days leading up to Election Day, Obama campaigned for Biden in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida.
"It will be up to not just Joe and Kamala, but each of us, to do our part – to reach out beyond our comfort zone, to listen to others, to lower the temperature and find some common ground from which to move forward, all of us remembering that we are one nation, under God," Obama said.


npr--2020-11-07--Listen Live: Biden Wins Presidency, According To AP

Listen Listen to special coverage of the 2020 election results Former Vice President Joe Biden has won the 2020 presidential election , edging out President Trump , who falsely claimed voter fraud as his opponent 's lead mounted .
The Associated Press called Pennsylvania for Biden on Saturday , giving him a total of 284 Electoral College votes and pushing him over the 270-vote threshold needed to become the president-elect .
Listen to NPR 's live special coverage of the results .
The AP 's call also makes Biden 's running mate , Kamala Harris , the first woman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket has also received more votes than any other candidate in U.S. history , winning more than 75 million in the popular vote .
Biden 's win closes one chapter on what was quickly termed an unprecedented election and turned into a nail-biter with key states working over time to tally a previously unseen amount of mail-in ballots .
Biden took an early lead as polls closed on Tuesday .
But several states deemed up for grabs this year — including Pennsylvania , Nevada , Michigan , Wisconsin and Georgia — were too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the counts went on , Biden took both Michigan and Wisconsin — Democratic strongholds Trump won in 2016 — and built small but sustained leads in Pennsylvania , Nevada and Georgia .
Even with millions of ballots yet to be counted , Trump prematurely declared an election night victory .
The president , who baselessly predicted voter fraud ahead of the vote , also falsely accused the Democrats of attempting steal the election .
The president continued to double down on those assertions and sought legal challenges to halt counting in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the last few days expressed optimism over a potential victory and urged patience among supporters as counting continued .

Listen Live: Biden Wins Presidency, According To AP
Enlarge this image Caroline Amenabar/NPR Caroline Amenabar/NPR
Former Vice President Joe Biden has won the 2020 presidential election, edging out President Trump, who falsely claimed voter fraud as his opponent's lead mounted.
The Associated Press called Pennsylvania for Biden on Saturday, giving him a total of 284 Electoral College votes and pushing him over the 270-vote threshold needed to become the president-elect.
Listen to NPR's live special coverage of the results.
Listen to special coverage of the 2020 election results
The AP's call also makes Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, the first woman of color to be vice president-elect.
Their ticket has also received more votes than any other candidate in U.S. history, winning more than 75 million in the popular vote.
Biden's win closes one chapter on what was quickly termed an unprecedented election and turned into a nail-biter with key states working over time to tally a previously unseen amount of mail-in ballots.
Biden took an early lead as polls closed on Tuesday. But several states deemed up for grabs this year — including Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia — were too close to call that night.
But as the counts went on, Biden took both Michigan and Wisconsin — Democratic strongholds Trump won in 2016 — and built small but sustained leads in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Georgia.
Even with millions of ballots yet to be counted, Trump prematurely declared an election night victory. The president, who baselessly predicted voter fraud ahead of the vote, also falsely accused the Democrats of attempting steal the election.
The president continued to double down on those assertions and sought legal challenges to halt counting in some states and recounts in others.
Biden over the last few days expressed optimism over a potential victory and urged patience among supporters as counting continued.


npr--2020-11-07--Biden And Harris Supporters Celebrate In D.C.'s Black Lives Matter Plaza

Supporters of President-elect Joe Biden are flocking Saturday to the streets in Washington D.C. , to celebrate the news of the Democrat surpassing 270 electoral votes , according to The Associated Press and other news organizations .
A large crowd is gathering in Lafayette Square and Black Lives Matter Plaza , areas right next to the White House .
These spots , now the scene of jubilance , were the same site of mass protests over the summer following the killings of several Black Americans by police officers .
Some chanted , `` Bye , bye , Trump . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters were tear-gassed by U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops in the area , clearing the way for President Trump to take pictures in front of St. John 's Episcopal Church holding a Bible .
The church is on the corner of Lafayette Square and the start of Black Lives Matter Plaza .
As NPR member station WAMU 's Dominique Maria Bonessi reported , emotions are high , with people cheering and holding up signs .
Supporters are also gathering in other cities , including Philadelphia and New York .
WAMU 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow her reporting here .

Biden And Harris Supporters Celebrate In D.C.'s Black Lives Matter Plaza
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Supporters of President-elect Joe Biden are flocking Saturday to the streets in Washington D.C., to celebrate the news of the Democrat surpassing 270 electoral votes, according to The Associated Press and other news organizations. A large crowd is gathering in Lafayette Square and Black Lives Matter Plaza, areas right next to the White House.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
These spots, now the scene of jubilance, were the same site of mass protests over the summer following the killings of several Black Americans by police officers. Some chanted, "Bye, bye, Trump."
toggle caption Dee Dwyer/DCist
toggle caption Dee Dwyer/DCist
On June 1, a number of protesters were tear-gassed by U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops in the area, clearing the way for President Trump to take pictures in front of St. John's Episcopal Church holding a Bible. The church is on the corner of Lafayette Square and the start of Black Lives Matter Plaza.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eman Mohammed for NPR Eman Mohammed for NPR
As NPR member station WAMU's Dominique Maria Bonessi reported, emotions are high, with people cheering and holding up signs.
Supporters are also gathering in other cities, including Philadelphia and New York.
WAMU's Dominique Maria Bonessi contributed to this report. Follow her reporting here.


npr--2020-11-07--President-Elect Biden Says 'It's Time For America To Unite'

President-Elect Biden Says 'It 's Time For America To Unite' President-elect Joe Biden said in a statement that `` it 's time for America to unite , '' after he was declared the winner of the presidency by The Associated Press .
Biden will address the nation Saturday at 8 p.m .
ET and will be joined by the vice president-elect , Kamala Harris , and their spouses .
The 77-year-old former vice president became the president-elect on Saturday after the AP called Pennsylvania — where Biden was born — for him , putting him over the 270 electoral-vote threshold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris , '' Biden said in a statement .
`` In the face of unprecedented obstacles , a record number of Americans voted .
Proving once again , that democracy beats deep in the heart of America .
`` With the campaign over , it 's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation .
It 's time for America to unite .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States of America .
And there 's nothing we ca n't do , if we do it together . ''
Harris made history as the first woman elected vice president .
`` This election is about so much more than [ Joe Biden ] or me , '' she said in a tweet .
`` It 's about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it .
We have a lot of work ahead of us .
Let 's get started . ''
The AP later called Nevada for Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes .
President Trump , whom Biden defeated , has not conceded , saying in his own statement that `` the simple fact is this election is far from over . ''
Trump added : `` Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states , let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts , or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor . ''
On Saturday morning , he also falsely tweeted that he won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .

President-Elect Biden Says 'It's Time For America To Unite'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images
President-elect Joe Biden said in a statement that "it's time for America to unite," after he was declared the winner of the presidency by The Associated Press.
Biden will address the nation Saturday at 8 p.m. ET and will be joined by the vice president-elect, Kamala Harris, and their spouses.
The 77-year-old former vice president became the president-elect on Saturday after the AP called Pennsylvania — where Biden was born — for him, putting him over the 270 electoral-vote threshold required to win the White House.
"I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris," Biden said in a statement. "In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.
"With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It's time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there's nothing we can't do, if we do it together."
Harris made history as the first woman elected vice president.
"This election is about so much more than [Joe Biden] or me," she said in a tweet. "It's about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let's get started."
The AP later called Nevada for Biden, giving him an additional six electoral votes.
President Trump, whom Biden defeated, has not conceded, saying in his own statement that "the simple fact is this election is far from over."
Trump added: "Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor."
On Saturday morning, he also falsely tweeted that he won the election; the tweet was flagged by Twitter.


npr--2020-11-07--AP Calls Nevada For Joe Biden

AP Calls Nevada For Joe Biden

The Associated Press has called Nevada for President-elect Joe Biden , bringing his electoral vote total to 290 .
As @ @ @ @ @ President Trump has 214 electoral votes , according to the AP .
Earlier on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ for Biden , securing the 270 votes necessary for victory in the presidential election .
@ @ @ @ @ in the past three presidential elections , but the Trump campaign had been pushing to @ @ @ @ @ With about 88 % of the expected vote in , Biden held a lead of @ @ @ @ @ % to 47.9 % .
Shortly before Election Day , the Trump campaign and Nevada @ @ @ @ @ ballots from being counted in Nevada 's populous , Democratic-leaning Clark County , which includes @ @ @ @ @ that they could not observe all aspects of the ballot-counting process closely enough and wanted @ @ @ @ @ the process .
A judge rejected the lawsuit , finding that the plaintiffs did not @ @ @ @ @ and had provided no evidence of any wrongdoing by election officials .

AP Calls Nevada For Joe Biden
Updated at 12:43 p.m. ET
The Associated Press has called Nevada for President-elect Joe Biden, bringing his electoral vote total to 290.
As of early Saturday afternoon, President Trump has 214 electoral votes, according to the AP.
Earlier on Saturday, the AP called Pennsylvania for Biden, securing the 270 votes necessary for victory in the presidential election.
Nevada has voted for Democrats in the past three presidential elections, but the Trump campaign had been pushing to flip the state red.
With about 88% of the expected vote in, Biden held a lead of 2 percentage points, 49.9% to 47.9%.
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Shortly before Election Day, the Trump campaign and Nevada Republicans attempted to block mail-in ballots from being counted in Nevada's populous, Democratic-leaning Clark County, which includes Las Vegas.
Republicans alleged that they could not observe all aspects of the ballot-counting process closely enough and wanted to install cameras to record the process.
A judge rejected the lawsuit, finding that the plaintiffs did not have the standing to sue and had provided no evidence of any wrongdoing by election officials.


npr--2020-11-08--'Euphoria': Residents Of Harris' Ancestral Village In India Celebrate Her Win

'Euphoria ' : Residents Of Harris ' Ancestral Village In India Celebrate Her Win Firecrackers erupted Sunday in a tiny village surrounded by lush green rice paddies in southern India , where Kamala Harris ' maternal grandfather was born .
Residents wrote in colorful rangoli powder on a dirt lane in front of their homes : `` Congratulations Kamala Harris .
Pride of our village . ''
Harris will be the first Asian American elected vice president in the United States , in addition to becoming the first Black vice president , and the first female vice president .
Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother was born in India , and her father is from Jamaica .
While India 's prime minister tweeted his `` heartiest congratulations '' to Harris after midnight local time , most Indians , because of the time difference , got the news of a Biden-Harris victory when they woke up Sunday .
`` We feel a sense of euphoria !
Very happy , very excited , very proud , '' says S.V .
Ramanan , caretaker of the Hindu temple in Harris ' ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram , in India 's southeastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this scene reaches Kamala .
She should know we 're here celebrating her , '' Ramanan told NPR by phone after offering prayers of thanks in the temple .
Last week , villagers also held a prayer ceremony on Election Day , for a Biden-Harris victory .
Home to just a few hundred people , mostly subsistence farmers , the village of Thulasendrapuram has suddenly embraced Harris as their native daughter , even though her ancestors moved away decades ago .
On Sunday , residents handed out sweets , set off firecrackers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person of Indian descent to be elected U.S. vice president .
Ramanan said he hopes Harris might visit the village after her inauguration .
If she does , he 'll kindly request better broadband internet , and some road maintenance , he said .
`` Other than that , we live a contented life , '' Ramanan said .
`` Of course we do n't know her plans .
Only time will tell . ''

'Euphoria': Residents Of Harris' Ancestral Village In India Celebrate Her Win
Enlarge this image toggle caption STR/AFP via Getty Images STR/AFP via Getty Images
Firecrackers erupted Sunday in a tiny village surrounded by lush green rice paddies in southern India, where Kamala Harris' maternal grandfather was born. Residents wrote in colorful rangoli powder on a dirt lane in front of their homes: "Congratulations Kamala Harris. Pride of our village."
Harris will be the first Asian American elected vice president in the United States, in addition to becoming the first Black vice president and the first female vice president. Harris was born in California. Her late mother was born in India, and her father is from Jamaica.
While India's prime minister tweeted his "heartiest congratulations" to Harris after midnight local time, most Indians, because of the time difference, got the news of a Biden-Harris victory when they woke up Sunday.
"We feel a sense of euphoria! Very happy, very excited, very proud," says S.V. Ramanan, caretaker of the Hindu temple in Harris' ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram, in India's southeastern Tamil Nadu state.
"I hope this scene reaches Kamala. She should know we're here celebrating her," Ramanan told NPR by phone after offering prayers of thanks in the temple. Last week, villagers also held a prayer ceremony on Election Day, for a Biden-Harris victory.
Home to just a few hundred people, mostly subsistence farmers, the village of Thulasendrapuram has suddenly embraced Harris as their native daughter, even though her ancestors moved away decades ago. On Sunday, residents handed out sweets, set off firecrackers and waved posters of Harris, the first person of Indian descent to be elected U.S. vice president.
Ramanan said he hopes Harris might visit the village after her inauguration. If she does, he'll kindly request better broadband internet, and some road maintenance, he said.
"Other than that, we live a contented life," Ramanan said. "Of course we don't know her plans. Only time will tell."


npr--2020-11-08--World Leaders React To Biden's Presidential Win

Audio will be available later today .
World leaders are congratulating President-Elect Joe Biden on his victory and they include @ @ @ @ @ allies of President Trump .

World Leaders React To Biden's Presidential Win
World leaders are congratulating President-Elect Joe Biden on his victory and they include some who have been close allies of President Trump.
LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, HOST:
In his victory speech last night, President-elect Joe Biden noted that U.S. elections are viewed far beyond our borders.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JOE BIDEN: Tonight, the whole world is watching America. And I believe at our best, America's a beacon for the globe.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: The world is indeed watching, in some cases holding off on congratulating Biden just yet in a bid to avoid being collateral damage. For instance, Mexico's president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has flat-out said he will not congratulate Biden, at least not until, quote, "all legal matters have been resolved." But some leaders around the world, even some controversial allies of President Trump, have been congratulating the president-elect.
Given Saturday's big news, where do America's trade and security partners and challengers like Middle Eastern and European countries and China stand? We're going to check in now with NPR correspondents who cover those places. Daniel Estrin is in Jerusalem. Eleanor Beardsley is in Paris. And John Ruwitch is currently watching China from California.
Welcome to you all.
DANIEL ESTRIN, BYLINE: Thanks.
ELEANOR BEARDSLEY, BYLINE: Hi, Lulu.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: I'm going to start with you, Daniel, because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is perhaps Donald Trump's closest world ally. He congratulated Biden by tweet. What did he say?
ESTRIN: Right. He said he's had a warm personal relationship with Biden for almost 40 years and that Biden is a good friend of Israel. He also tweeted his thanks to Trump. And Netanyahu weighed in much longer after other leaders did. That could be because Netanyahu has been very close to Trump. Remember, Netanyahu has been very closely aligned with not only Trump, but the GOP - his evangelical base as well. Also, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, congratulated Biden, and Palestinians expect Biden to be much friendlier to them than Trump was. They hope that Biden will restore, for instance, the U.S. aid that Trump cut.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: President Trump also had close ties with some Arab leaders. I'm thinking Saudi Arabia in particular. But where has that stood? Who's congratulating Biden?
ESTRIN: Well, several Arab leaders have. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi claims he was the very first leader to congratulate Trump four years ago, and he very quickly has congratulated Biden now. You know, Trump was very supportive of Sisi, despite his record of human rights abuses, and now Sisi's positioning himself to seek favor with Biden. We also heard from the United Arab Emirates congratulating Biden. And remember, the UAE gave Trump a big boost and agreed to open diplomatic relations with Israel.
Now, the one country we have not heard from yet is Saudi Arabia. The crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was very close to Trump, especially close to his son-in-law Jared Kushner. You know, Trump was accused of giving the Saudis a free pass about the war in Yemen, about human rights abuses, the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. And Biden has made it very clear throughout his campaign that he would reassess the U.S. relationship with the Saudis. And here we are. You know, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia congratulated the president of Tanzania yesterday for reelection - crickets on Biden, however.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: OK. Eleanor, you're in Paris, and there's a little more of a consensus in Europe, where Trump has had strained relations with many of their leaders, right?
BEARDSLEY: Absolutely, Lulu. You know, there's huge relief among Europe's main democracies - supporters of multilateralism like France and Germany. President Macron of France reached out immediately by Twitter and said, let's work together again. Chancellor Angela Merkel said, our trans-Atlantic friendship is indispensable if we're to deal with the major challenges of our time. And even the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, tweeted, welcome back, America, an allusion to us rejoining - you know, the U.S. rejoining the Paris climate accord.
You know, remember, Emmanuel Macron was the first leader in Europe to really reach out to Trump. He tried to, as he said, keep him within the community of nations. He wined and dined him in the Eiffel Tower. He gave him that Bastille Day military (inaudible), but none of it worked. Trump pulled out of the Paris climate accord anyway.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: So what does Biden offer that's new to some of these longtime U.S. allies?
BEARDSLEY: Well, aside from, you know, disagreement over the climate accord, you know, Trump tore up the Iran nuclear agreement that the Europeans had so meticulously negotiated. They had much faith in it. He also regularly criticized NATO, which has been a pillar of U.S.-European relations since 1949 when it was founded. You know, he said that the Europeans weren't paying their fair share. He even threatened to pull out. He had just a range of disdainful comments about his - you know, America's supposed allies.
So Europeans say a Biden presidency means a return to statesmanship and decorum and normalcy in relations between the trans-Atlantic allies. And one concrete example - Biden has already said that the day he takes office, he will bring the U.S. back into the Paris climate accord.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: OK. And now we're going to turn to China because this has, of course, been a signature relationship for the Trump administration. John, what have we heard from China?
JOHN RUWITCH, BYLINE: We have heard nothing from China yet. Other major capitals in Asia have weighed in. We've heard from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, but not China. Chinese state media has run a few stories about the news out of the U.S., but nothing from the government. Four years ago - so this stands in contrast - when Trump was elected, they were pretty quick. Xi Jinping, leader - the leader of China, offered congratulations.
But this time around, it's obviously different, right? Trump hasn't conceded. The domestic political situation in America is pretty fluid. And China sees that. They're playing it very cautiously, and they don't want to be seen as interfering. One more thing that I think may be on their mind is that they don't want to antagonize Trump. He's got over two months left in office. U.S.-China relations have been pretty rocky and in freefall, basically, for the second half of this year, and they really don't want things to worsen.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: All right. Well, looking forward, Trump has claimed throughout the campaign that Biden would go easy on China. Biden has denied that. What do you see happening here? Do Chinese leaders have doubts about him?
RUWITCH: Yeah, there is - you know, the backdrop is that there's growing bipartisan agreement here in the U.S. - right? - for the need to face China as a competitor and to do it with strength. And on the campaign trail, Biden said he'd do that on trade, on intellectual property, human rights, a range of other issues. And his rhetoric has showed it. He knows Xi Jinping, leader of China. They met several times when they were both vice presidents, and they reportedly got along. But lately he's been calling Xi a, quote, "thug."
You know, I think a Biden administration's likely to have more discipline in its approach to China. Trump was a bit scattershot. Biden on the campaign trail has pledged to coordinate with allies, you know, in applying pressure on China. That means Europe, which we just heard about, and friends in Asia. He's going to reengage with multilateral organizations, but it's not going to all be adversarial. The Biden administration will be looking for areas where they can cooperate with China, like in controlling the pandemic and on climate change. So China may get more stability...
GARCIA-NAVARRO: And North Korea.
RUWITCH: And North Korea, exactly. China may get a bit more stability and predictability, but Biden won't necessarily be a pushover.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: That is NPR's Eleanor Beardsley in Paris with John Ruwitch here in the U.S. and Daniel Estrin from Jerusalem. All over the world, our correspondents. Thank you all very much.
ESTRIN: You're welcome.
RUWITCH: Thank you.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-11-08--How Biden And McConnell Will Work Together

How Biden And McConnell Will Work Together Audio will be available later today .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has @ @ @ @ @ majority leader Mitch McConnell .
What will that mean for President-Elect Biden 's time in @ @ @ @

How Biden And McConnell Will Work Together
Former Vice President Joe Biden has a long history with Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell. What will that mean for President-Elect Biden's time in the White House?
LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, HOST:
Which brings us to this story. While two runoff races in Georgia could hand Democrats the Senate, there is a good chance it will stay in Republican control with Mitch McConnell as the majority leader. McConnell and Joe Biden have been friends and colleagues for 35 years. Now that relationship will be in the national spotlight. NPR congressional correspondent Susan Davis has more.
SUSAN DAVIS, BYLINE: Vice President Joe Biden traveled to Kentucky back in 2011 for a joint lecture at the University of Louisville with then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
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JOE BIDEN: You want to see whether or not a Republican and Democrat really like one another.
(LAUGHTER)
BIDEN: Well, I'm here to tell you we do.
DAVIS: Biden and McConnell served in the Senate together for more than two decades before Biden became vice president under Barack Obama. And in his eight years in the White House, he was Obama's top liaison on Capitol Hill. Together, Biden and McConnell cut some of the most memorable and the most controversial deals of the era.
ROHIT KUMAR: I think we got fair deals. I think we got the deals that were available. They were the deals that were in the political middle where each side got some that really mattered to them and gave up some stuff that they would have preferred not to have given up.
DAVIS: That's Rohit Kumar. He was a top McConnell aide back then. He helped negotiate a trio of McConnell-Biden deals - a 2010 tax compromise, a 2011 budget bill and a deal to avert a 2012 fiscal cliff that affected tax rates and raised the debt ceiling. In the years since, all of them are deals that left many Democrats bitter because they believe Biden gave away too much. It was even an attack used against Biden in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, as Colorado Senator Michael Bennet did here at a debate.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
MICHAEL BENNET: The deal that he talked about with Mitch McConnell was a complete victory for the Tea Party.
DAVIS: Democrats' distrust of McConnell has only intensified in recent years, particularly after he blocked Obama's nominee Merrick Garland from consideration for the Supreme Court. And in this Congress, he proudly calls himself the Grim Reaper for the Democrats' agenda. But Biden never personally attacked McConnell. His closing message in this campaign focused on his ability to work across the aisle.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BIDEN: I'm told that, well, maybe that's - you used to be able to do that, Joe. That was your reputation when you were in the Senate and vice president. But things have changed. They don't work that way anymore. Well, I'm here to tell you they can, and they will. And they must if we're going to get anything done in America.
DAVIS: McConnell has likewise avoided the type of personal attacks against Biden and his family that defined the GOP message in the 2020 campaign. McConnell was the only Senate Republican to attend the 2015 funeral of Biden's son Beau. And at the end of the Obama administration, he paid tribute to Biden directly as the vice president presided over the chamber one last time.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
MITCH MCCONNELL: Champ, his father used to say, the measure of a man is not how often he is knocked down but how quickly he gets up. That's Joe Biden right there - unbowed, unbroken and unable to stop talking.
DAVIS: Kumar says what binds McConnell and Biden is a shared belief that to do anything meaningful in Washington, it has to be bipartisan and that at this moment, both fresh off an election expected to split control in Washington, they have the power to leverage it.
KUMAR: They both have or will have the stature within the party to lead them into things that are good for the country but require hard choices by each side.
DAVIS: One of those hard choices will be how to balance the demands of their liberal and conservative bases with any shared desire to cut a deal.
Susan Davis, NPR News, Washington.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-11-08--What American Diplomacy Will Look Like Under Biden

What American Diplomacy Will Look Like Under Biden Critics of the Trump administration say the U.S. abdicated its global responsibilities @ @ @ @ @ American diplomacy under a Biden administration with NPR 's Lulu Garcia-Navarro .

What American Diplomacy Will Look Like Under Biden
Critics of the Trump administration say the U.S. abdicated its global responsibilities. Rep. Joaquin Castro discusses American diplomacy under a Biden administration with NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro.
LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, HOST:
Americans weren't the only ones closely watching the 2020 presidential election. Across the globe, many waited to see if it would be four more years of Trump's America-first approach to foreign policy or a return to a more traditional diplomacy. Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas is the vice chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and he's been thinking about what American diplomacy will look like under a Biden administration.
Welcome to the program.
JOAQUIN CASTRO: Thank you. It's great to be with you.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Congratulations on your reelection, first of all.
CASTRO: (Laughter) Thanks. I appreciate it.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: What do you see as the most pressing foreign policy issues a Biden-Harris administration needs to address come January?
CASTRO: Well, generally speaking, President Biden is going to have to make sure that the United States stands up for what we've stood up for for generations - freedom, democracy, human rights, rooting out corruption. Obviously, domestically, he's going to have to help rid this country of the pandemic. But also I think the United States can play a lead role again in helping the world rid itself of the pandemic. So the pandemic really, to my mind, is task No. 1.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Does that mean joining the WHO? I mean, you know...
CASTRO: Yes, I believe so. I believe that we should rejoin the WHO and other multilateral bodies. I think we should rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, for example. I think we should also rejoin the Iran nuclear deal. So he's going to have to engage the United States in the world again because our reputation, the perception of the United States around the world, has suffered during the Trump administration. And nations have doubted now whether the United States is truly a leader among nations.
So I see the Biden administration re-engaging us. I hope that Congress can be a full partner with the Biden administration in doing that. And those are the proactive things. But first, there's really going to have to be a damage assessment done about just the kind of repair that needs to happen because of the Trump administration. And what I mean by that is, for example, at the State Department, the morale is...
GARCIA-NAVARRO: I was about to ask.
CASTRO: I'm sorry.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Because - I was about to ask because, you know, the Trump administration, you know, emptied out the State Department of career diplomats, and we saw a lot of senior leadership leave.
CASTRO: No, that's absolutely right. Morale is near an all-time low. People are walking out the door at a faster rate. Less people are taking the foreign service exam. So we need to look at something like doing a new Foreign Service Act, which hasn't been done in 40 years, since 1980. After this period that we're just coming through, getting through, it would be good to look at doing a new one. And so a damage assessment...
GARCIA-NAVARRO: What does that mean - a Foreign Service Act?
CASTRO: Well, you know, the Foreign Service Act would essentially think about the structure of the State Department, the role of the State Department in foreign policy, but also within the U.S. government.
And unfortunately, unlike, say, the National Defense Authorization Act that we do every year, which looks at the Defense Department, its spending, all the issues associated with defense, we actually don't look at the State Department enough given that it's an incredibly important diplomatic apparatus for the United States. So I think we need to take a fresh look at that.
Fortunately, there's some efforts underway by different groups to do that. And I think the Congress should undertake it as well. And it's going to take some time, you know? The administration and members of Congress, I think, need to go around the world and look our allies in the face and let them know that the United States is back and that we're going to be a North Star again on those issues of freedom and democracy and human rights and rooting out corruption.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Not to speculate too much, but, I mean, who do you see as a possible head of the State Department?
CASTRO: Well, I know that there's been speculation all around about some great folks. I've seen wonderful names that have been floated so far - you know, Nick Burns and Tony Blinken, Chris Murphy. And there have been incredible folks whose names have been floated. And I think any of those people that Joe Biden - those and others that he might choose from would be great.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: It's very possible, though, as you mentioned, that there will be a Republican-led Senate. Obviously, we're waiting to see what happens in Georgia. And that is the body responsible for approving the people that Biden will want to appoint to lead the State Department and key national security positions. How complicated do you think that might be if indeed the Republicans are in control?
CASTRO: You're right. I mean, you raise a great point, which is Mitch McConnell has not been the most cooperative, obviously, with Democratic presidents - namely President Obama - in terms of appointments.
Now, I was encouraged that Lindsey Graham made the comment that Joe Biden is entitled to his Cabinet. So I hope that means what it has historically meant, which is there is some deference given to a president to choose his Cabinet, his or her Cabinet. And I hope that's the case this time. And I hope that they - that Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans won't automatically disqualify somebody just because they don't like him or just because they disagree with them on one or two things.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Congressman Joaquin Castro is the vice chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Thank you very much.
CASTRO: Thank you.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.