President Obama met Thursday with president-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office, the first time the two men have ever met. The pair spoke for nearly two hours in a meeting that Obama described as "excellent."
The president said the pair discussed both foreign and domestic policy and explained he was looking for a "smooth transition" of political power. Obama said he advised his "team" to ensure that president-elect Trump "has everything he needs to succeed."
WATCH: President Obama meets Trump
Said President Obama, "I just had the opportunity to have an excellent conversation with President-elect Trump. It was wide-ranging. We talked about some of the organizational issues in setting up the White House. We talked about foreign policy. We talked about domestic policy. And as I said last night, my number-one priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our President-elect is successful."
There have been several anti-Trump protests across the country since he won the election. While the news has reported on protests in major U.S., to include Washington, D.C., smaller cities have also staged protests. Students across the country are also having their say. Students at Virginia Commonwealth Universtiy in Richmond, Va met at the Confederate statue of Robert E. Lee Wednesday at midnight to protest Trump's racism as well as Richmond's racist past. With chants of "f*8k Trump!", students also chanted "and f*8k these racist statues."
Trump campaigned on what many said were racist ideas and ideology, suggesting he would "build a wall" to keep Mexicans out of the country. He also made disparaging remarks about Muslims to infer all were responsible for ISIS and Islamic attacks on the U.S.
In light of the Trump-inspired divisiveness within the country President Obama is hopeful.
"And, I believe that it is important for all of us, regardless of party and regardless of political preferences, to now come together, work together, to deal with the many challenges that we face."
Trump appeared civil during his visit with Obama saying he had "great respect" and was looking forward to meeting with President Obama in the future.
"So, Mr. President, it was a great honor being with you, and I look forward to being with you many, many more times in the future", Trump said.
While the two men were meeting, First Lady Michelle Obama met with the in-coming first lady to also ensure a smooth transition.
The White House has produced a fact sheet entitled Facilitating Smooth Transition to the Next Administration mapping out the transition planning that includes preparing for the incoming administration, ensuring this Administration’s records are appropriately archived, and facilitating the off-boarding of current Administration personnel.
The president said the pair discussed both foreign and domestic policy and explained he was looking for a "smooth transition" of political power. Obama said he advised his "team" to ensure that president-elect Trump "has everything he needs to succeed."
WATCH: President Obama meets Trump
Said President Obama, "I just had the opportunity to have an excellent conversation with President-elect Trump. It was wide-ranging. We talked about some of the organizational issues in setting up the White House. We talked about foreign policy. We talked about domestic policy. And as I said last night, my number-one priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our President-elect is successful."
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| Trump met with President Obama Thursday. Photo/ P. Martinez |
Trump campaigned on what many said were racist ideas and ideology, suggesting he would "build a wall" to keep Mexicans out of the country. He also made disparaging remarks about Muslims to infer all were responsible for ISIS and Islamic attacks on the U.S.
In light of the Trump-inspired divisiveness within the country President Obama is hopeful.
"And, I believe that it is important for all of us, regardless of party and regardless of political preferences, to now come together, work together, to deal with the many challenges that we face."
Trump appeared civil during his visit with Obama saying he had "great respect" and was looking forward to meeting with President Obama in the future.
"So, Mr. President, it was a great honor being with you, and I look forward to being with you many, many more times in the future", Trump said.
While the two men were meeting, First Lady Michelle Obama met with the in-coming first lady to also ensure a smooth transition.
The White House has produced a fact sheet entitled Facilitating Smooth Transition to the Next Administration mapping out the transition planning that includes preparing for the incoming administration, ensuring this Administration’s records are appropriately archived, and facilitating the off-boarding of current Administration personnel.
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