News Items

Introduction

The peaceful transfer of power from one Presidential Administration to the next is a hallmark of American democracy. With our Nation at war, our homeland targeted by terrorist adversaries, and our economy facing serious challenges, the Administration is committed to establishing and executing a transition plan that minimizes disruption, maintains continuity, and addresses the major changes in government since the 2000 transition, including the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, as well as the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Homeland Security Council.

Feature

• President Obama’s Inaugural Address
• Inauguration 2009  (PDF version)
• Overview of the Inauguration
• Road to the White House
• Inauguration Celebrates Continuity of American Democracy
• Inaugural Addresses and Memorable Words
• Obama Foreign Policy and Multilateral Diplomacy
• Celebrating Obama’s Victory
• World Reacts to U.S. Presidential Election 

Quick Fact

• President Truman’s inauguration was the first to be televised
• Preliminary Schedule of Official Inaugural Events
• Legally, U.S. Presidential Election Not Yet Complete
• Executive Order: Facilitation of a Presidential Transition
• Presidential Inaugural Committee Announces First Wave of Organizations to Perform in 56th Inaugural

Learn More

• Oath of Office
• Obama Announces Science and Technology Team
• National Security Team Announced by Obama 
• President-elect Obama Announces Top Economic Advisers
• President-Elect Barack Obama Lays Out Key Pieces of Economic Recovery Plan 
• President-elect Obama's Statement on Job Loss

President-elect

Next Administration's Biographies
A profile of the next leader of the United States 

Barack Obama President-elect Biography

Joe Biden Vice President-elect Biography

Michelle Obama Future First Lady Biography

• The Obama Administration (PDF version)

Official Statements

• Sec. Rice Interview With Michele Kelemen of NPR (12/09)
• Ask The White House web chat on Transition (11/14)
• Sec. Rice Interview with C-SPAN (11/10)
• President's Radio Address (11/8)
• Statement by Pres. Bush on the Presidential Election (11/5)
• Remarks by Sec. Rice on Presidential Election (11/5)
• State Dept. Media Note on Transition (11/5)
• White House Fact Sheet: Ensuring a Smooth and Effective Presidential Transition (10/28)

Useful Reference

• Blogs at America.gov: First 100 Days
• America.gov: Inauguration
• The Library of Congress: Presidential Inaugurations
• CRS Report for Congress: Presidential Transitions: Issues Involving Outgoing and Incoming Administrations
• GSA and National Archives web site: Presidential Transition Resources
• GAO Web site: Serving the Congress and the Nation
• Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
• Change.gov: The Office of the President-elect
• White House Transition Page
• Wikipedia: United States presidential inauguration