WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is set to welcome his successor, Donald Trump, to the White House, extending an olive branch to a man he has blasted as unfit to serve as commander in chief and who led the charge to challenge the legitimacy of his own presidency.
The Oval Office meeting scheduled Thursday symbolically begins the transition of power from Obama, a Democrat who ushered in a sweeping health care law and brokered a landmark nuclear accord with Iran, and Trump, a Republican who has vowed to wipe those measures away. Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
First lady Michelle Obama also planned to meet privately in the White House residence with Trump’s wife, Melania Trump.
Republicans were emboldened by Trump’s stunning victory over Hillary Clinton, giving the GOP control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.
“He just earned a mandate,” House Speaker Paul Ryan declared.