Handshake before crackling fire: Biden, Trump meet in Oval Office

US President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, longtime political rivals, met in the Oval Office on Wednesday after fierce exchanges during the campaign, shaking hands and pledging a peaceful transfer of power. (Photo/Agencies)

Trump's visit followed the Republicans' declaration as the majority party in the House of Representatives, granting him full control of Congress. He also named a series of hardline figures to his top team, including the outspoken Matt Gaetz as attorney general. (Photo/Agencies)

The US president and president-elect shook hands by a crackling fire in the Oval Office, with Biden reviving a tradition that Trump had broken by not acknowledging his 2020 loss to Biden. (Photo/Agencies)

As the two presidents with a combined age of 159 years shook hands, Biden appeared to look down, while Trump leaned forward and looked him in the eyes. (Photo/Agencies)

In a departure from tradition, Melania Trump did not accompany her husband, skipping the customary tea that First Ladies usually share while the President and successor meet. (Photo/Agencies)

"Looking forward to having a, like we said, smooth transition - do everything we can to make sure you're accommodated, what you need," Biden told the president-elect. "Welcome, welcome back." (Photo/Agencies)

"Politics is tough, and in many cases it's not a very nice world. It is a nice world today and I appreciate it very much," said Trump, the 45th US president and soon to be the 47th. (Photo/Agencies)

Trump riled up a mob that attacked the US Capitol in 2021 and ran a brutal and divisive election campaign this year -- but sought to strike a courteous tone on his return visit to the White House. (Photo/Agencies)