Melania Trump expected to skip Wednesday White House meeting with Jill Biden

Asa Hutchinson

J. Michael Luttig

Steven Calabresi

Eric Foner

Steven Cheung

Robert A. Levy

Ilya Somin

Center for American Progress

"We are confident that the fair-minded Supreme Court will unanimously affirm the civil rights of President Trump, and the voting rights of all Americans."

"[T]he legal arguments against disqualification are ultimately unsound, and most are very weak."

"[M]y bet is that... even the liberal justices will lean toward allowing voters to decide whether Trump is fit to be president."

Barring Trump from public office "would be the mildest of punishments."

The Jan. 6 riot "is something that could disqualify him, under our rules, and under the constitution."

"The former president's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, and the resulting attack on the US Capitol, place him squarely within the ambit of the disqualification clause."

"[A] plain and fair reading of Section 3... demonstrates that Trump is constitutionally disqualified from holding future public office."

"I think it's really actually very clearcut... [Section 3 is] in general language, and so it applies to anyone who incites an insurrection or rebellion."

Will Donald Trump Be Disqualified From Holding the Presidency?

Jed Shugerman

Cheryl Bader

Arthur Aidala

Frank Bowman

Peter Tilem

Stuart Meissner

Bennett Gershman

Juan Merchan

Diana Florence

Ron Kuby

Gwenda Blair

Karen Friednman Agnifilo

Metaculus

"I do not see a scenario where Donald Trump spends one minute in jail."

"I would be surprised if we see a sentence of incarceration... [Trump] has no criminal record, it's a nonviolent crime."

"[T]here's no guarantees [Judge Merchan will not sentence Trump]."

"He could go to jail."

"I believe, if convicted, a sentence of incarceration is warranted and justified."

The judges "would likely sentence him to a term of incarceration."

"[I]t is substantially likely Judge Merchan will sentence Trump to jail or prison time."

"I think he almost definitely will receive a prison sentence... I could see Judge Merchan sentencing him to 24 months in jail."

Will Donald Trump Be Jailed or Incarcerated Before 2030?

Pres.-elect Donald Trump met Pres. Joe Biden in the Oval Office Wednesday after the incumbent US leader invited the former president to the White House for a traditional transition meeting.

New York Post

They reportedly discussed plans for a peaceful transition of power when Trump takes the oath of office for a second time on Jan. 20. "It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that, Joe," Trump, 78, told Biden, 81.

The New York Times

Biden congratulated Trump on his victory, and Trump said, "Politics is tough, and it's [in] many cases not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today" before dismissing the reporters.

The Washington Post

According to Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, the two leaders are expected to discuss critical "domestic and foreign policy issues," including the Middle East.

Al Jazeera

Trump visited the Oval Office after addressing House Republicans. Former First Lady Melania Trump declined to attend the meeting with First Lady Jill Biden.

During the last transition in 2016, Barack Obama and Donald Trump held a 90-minute Oval Office discussion. Trump didn't offer Biden the meeting in 2020, as he refused to concede the election results.

CNN #1731

While the presidential meeting is set to proceed, former First Lady Melania Trump has declined to attend the customary meeting with First Lady Jill Biden, citing scheduling conflicts related to her newly released memoir.

The upcoming meeting represents the first time since 1992 that an outgoing president will meet with an incoming one whom they directly competed against in a campaign, echoing the meeting between George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

PBS NewsHour

PBS NewsHour #6904

During the last transition in 2016, Barack Obama and Donald Trump held a 90-minute Oval Office discussion, with Obama pledging full support for Trump's success for the sake of the country.

The tradition of presidential transition meetings dates back to 1841 when President Martin Van Buren hosted President-elect William Henry Harrison for dinner at the White House.

While presidential transition meetings are not legally mandated, they have become an important symbolic gesture demonstrating the peaceful transfer of power in American democracy.

Personal autonomy and changing circumstances sometimes necessitate breaking with tradition, especially when these customs are not legally required. The decision to decline ceremonial meetings allows leaders to focus on more pressing matters and set their own priorities. Modern communication methods and professional staff can ensure effective transitions without requiring symbolic in-person meetings.

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Trump Returns to White House as Guest, Melania Skips Visit

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The White House transition meeting represents a crucial tradition that reinforces the strength of American democracy and ensures continuity of government operations. These discussions between incoming and outgoing leaders have historically helped bridge political divisions and demonstrate national unity. The practice has proven valuable for smooth transitions, as evidenced by successful handoffs like the Bush-Obama transition.

Biden has invited Trump to the White House. Trump shunned that tradition when Biden won

Personal autonomy and changing circumstances sometimes necessitate breaking with tradition, especially when these customs are not legally required. Deciding to decline ceremonial meetings allows leaders to focus on more pressing matters and set priorities. Modern communication methods and professional staff can ensure effective transitions without requiring symbolic in-person meetings.

There's a 2% chance that Donald Trump will be jailed or incarcerated before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Joe Biden Hosts Donald Trump at the White House

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