US News Trump asks for prayer for the Biden government

In a farewell speech, the outgoing US president defended the record of his term in office - and wished luck to the administration of his successor.

© picture-alliance / AP / E. Vucci Provided by Deutsche Welle

"This week we are introducing a new government and praying for its success to keep America safe and prosperous," said President Donald Trump in a video message from the White House. "We wish them all the best and we also want them to be lucky." However, he never mentioned the name of his successor, Joe Biden , in his 20-minute farewell speech.

But the outgoing head of state did not spare praise for his government - and claimed numerous successes for himself: "Together with millions of hard-working patriots across the country, we have built the greatest political movement in the history of this country," said Trump. "We have also built the greatest economy in the history of the world."

United States: Progressives and African-Americans await Joe Biden at the turn

© AFP - Mark Makela Demonstration of the Black Lives Matter movement in Philadelphia, October 27, 2020. D-2 before the inauguration of Joe Biden . The new president has promised to want to heal the United States of its divisions. But he will also have a lot to do to maintain the unity of his own political family. Within the Democratic Party, the left wing has steadily gained in influence. Likewise, the African-American electorate also has high expectations.

Biden says Trump 's failure to concede won't affect transition. See what Pompeo said when asked about Biden 's victory. Erin Burnett: This is who Among the items outlined in those MOUs, a transition official told CNN, were an agreement for the Trump administration to provide the Biden transition

Has Trump conceded? Mr Trump tweeted as the GSA, which is tasked with formally beginning presidential changeovers, informed the Biden camp that it The president's Republican allies had called for the certification - which finalises the outcome of a state's popular vote - to be delayed for

And he emphasized: "I am particularly proud to be the first US President in decades who has not started any new wars. The United States would be" respected "in the world again. He gave the future government with on the way: "Please do not lose this respect."

Trump also rated his fight against the corona pandemic as successful - precisely on the day on which the number of registered corona deaths in the USA exceeded the threshold of 400,000. He particularly emphasized the rapid development of vaccines.

Trump did not admit his defeat in the presidential election on November 3, even in the video address. Biden's inauguration in Washington on Wednesday noon (local time) he will stay away.

Trump had for weeks tried to reverse Biden's election victory retrospectively with sometimes questionable methods.Trump's resistance peaked almost two weeks ago when supporters of the Elected President stormed the Capitol . The US House of Representatives then initiated impeachment proceedings against Trump for "inciting a riot". In his farewell speech, he said: "Political violence is an attack on everything we as Americans value. It can never be tolerated."

wa / fw (afp, dpa, rtr)