Donald Trump was elected as the 45th President of the United States after a lengthy, historic, and momentous contest with Hillary Clinton that culminated on Tuesday, November 8. One week after the election and the conclusion of a campaign season which occupied much of the collective American consciousness over the past two years, many Americans are still processing the election’s results. Millions appear reinvigorated by the prospect of a Trump presidency, yet just as many are visibly dejected and emotionally drained by Clinton’s loss. And after a campaign season ripe with fiery rhetoric and plenty of controversy, I can also confidently say that many of Americans are thankful that this particular election is over.

Of course, the objective of any political election is to select a new government, and now begins the process of preparing the Trump administration to assume the White House after the presidential inauguration on Friday, January 20. What is interesting about this process is that, while the United States Constitution requires no particular procedure to be followed, there are a series of norms and expectations that will guide how the Obama administration welcomes the Trump administration into the White House.

What exactly does a smooth presidential transition process entail? Check out this useful Fact Sheet from the White House!

This process began in the early morning hours of November 9 when Hillary Clinton called Donald Trump to concede the election and congratulate him as the winner. Shortly thereafter, Trump delivered an acceptance speech to his supporters in New York City. Clinton addressed the nation with a concession speech on November 9, midday. The notion that two opposing candidates speak to one another and only then diplomatically convey election results to the nation highlights an important tenet of the democratic process in the United States. Elections are won and lost with grace, dignity, and an eye towards uniting the country going forward.

  While many of Clinton’s most passionate supporters have lambasted the election’s results and openly protested on city streets over the past few days, Clinton herself conceded the election to Trump and implored liberals to channel their political activism into public service. Many Americans, especially young women, reacted quite strongly to Clinton’s address -- both thanking her for an admirable endeavor to shatter the glass ceiling and bemoaning her inability to do so. Reactions to Trump’s acceptance speech were similarly passionate, as many Americans expressed excitement about the prospect for a return to conservative values and Washington-outsider politics.

  The next phase of the transition process occurred on Thursday, November 10 as President Obama and President-elect Trump met at the White House. According to press reports, the two discussed a variety of topics ranging from presidential demeanor to foreign policy to installing a capable staff in the West Wing. This tradition, of the outgoing president meeting with his incoming successor, has a rich history in the United States. In explaining his willingness to meet with Trump, Obama has frequently cited the decorum and grace which former President George W. Bush displayed when he assumed office in January 2009. The spirit of cooperation which defines these meetings - often between leaders of opposing political parties and occasionally between former campaign opponents (though not in this instance) - is hallmark of American democracy and one of the critical facets of the peaceful transition of power.