The military ‘will also continue to stand apart from the political arena,’ the secretary of defense said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the Pentagon will engage in an orderly transition to the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump and that the military won’t be involved in any policies.
“As it always has, the U.S. military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next Commander in Chief, and to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command,” he said in a memo on Wednesday.
In the message to the troops, he said: “You are the United States military—the finest fighting force on Earth—and you will continue to defend our country, our Constitution, and the rights of all of our citizens.
“The U.S. military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to stand guard over our republic with principle and professionalism; and to stand together with the valued allies and partners who deepen our security.”
Trump won the 2024 election and is on track to win the popular vote and all seven battleground states, with Arizona and Nevada still counting ballots.
His opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, offered a concession speech on Wednesday.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say—hear me when I say: The light of America’s promise will always burn bright,” she said.
A day later, on Thursday, President Joe Biden promised a peaceful transition of power to the incoming Trump administration.
“Now we have 74 days to finish the term, our term. Let’s make every day count,“ Biden said in his speech. ”That’s the responsibility we have to the American people. Look folks, you all know it, setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable.”
Biden is slated to leave office on Jan. 20, 2025, when Trump will take command for a second term as the 47th president.
“I will do my duty as president. I will fulfill my oath, and I will honor the Constitution. On January 20, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Biden said.
In calling for Americans to tamp down rhetoric around the election, Biden said that “campaigns are contests of competing visions.”
“The country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country made,” he said. “I’ve said many times, you can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree, something I hope we can do no matter who you voted for, to see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans.”
Aside from Trump’s win, Republicans also took a majority in the Senate, although longtime Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is scheduled to step down from his leadership position.
Control of the House is still undecided as votes are still being counted.
Reuters contributed to this report.
