Biden pledges peaceful transition as Putin congratulates Trump

Democrats question role of outgoing president as scale of defeat sinks in

- Joan E Greve and Chris Stein, Washington, Oliver Holmes

Joe Biden promised a peaceful transition of power and asked Americans to "bring down the temperature" yesterday as he sought to defend his legacy in the face of growing resentment from Democratic party supporters over his role in Donald Trump's election victory.

Walking into the White House rose garden to applause and whoops from his staff, a smiling Biden told the tens of millions of Americans who had voted for Kamala Harris that he knew they were fearful but that they should be reassured.

"Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory, and I assured him that I'd direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. That's what the American people deserve," Biden said, in an apparent pointed reference to Trump's refusal to accept the result of the 2020 election.

"I know it's a difficult time. You're hurting," he added. "I hear you and I see you, but don't forget, don't forget all that we accomplished. It's been a historic presidency, not because I'm president, but" because of what we've done, what you've done." He added: "Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable.