Obama Says 'We Are All Now Rooting' for Trump

Saying the presidency is "bigger than any of us", President Barack Obama complimented the big-picture message of President-elect Donald Trump's victory speech during remarks outside the White House on Wednesday morning, adding that his team would conduct a smooth transition to his successor's administration.

"Now, everybody is sad when their side loses an election, but the day after we have to remember that we're actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. We're not Democrats first. We're not Republicans first. We are Americans first. We're patriots first. We all want what's best for this country," Obama said in the Rose Garden. "That's what I heard when I spoke to him directly. And I was heartened by that. That's what the country needs—a sense of unity, a sense of inclusion, a respect for our institutions, our way of life, rule of law, and respect for each other. I hope that he maintains that spirit throughout this transition. And I certainly hope that's how his presidency has a chance to begin."

Obama said he would follow the example set by President George W. Bush to make that transition as easy as possible.

"President Bush's team could not have been more professional or more gracious in making sure we had a smooth transition so that we could hit the ground running. And one thing you realize quickly in this job is that the presidency and the vice presidency is bigger than any of us," he said. "So I have instructed my team to follow the example that President Bush's team set eight years ago, and work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a successful transition for the president-elect. Because we are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country."