Why the US waits so long to swear in the new president

Does it really have to take two and a half months?

American law specifies that the US presidential election happens in early November. It also specifies that the winner of that election isn’t actually sworn in until January 20th. That leaves about two and a half months in between, where, in situations where the incumbent has been voted out, the winner of the election still isn’t president. This is the “transition” period, during which the old administration trades places with the new one.

But does that period really need to be so long? In 2020, we found out what happens when an incumbent president loses reelection, but refuses to concede: Among other things, it pushes the start of the transition several weeks later, shortening that handover period. So does that matter? What actually happens in those two and a half months, and why do we let the loser continue to wield power for so long?

[SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Luckily I don't have to worry about any of that

[apucitepucu]

In soviet russia, outgoing president IS the incoming president.

[BuyinzaIsa]

Vox: Why does America take so long to switch Presidents?

Me: *Laughs in Ugandan, as we have never switched a president since 1986

[marcos-pmoh]

"Why the US takes so long to swear in the president"
Well, they should learn from us here in Argentina, we had 5 presidents in a week once.

[theawesomemaple]

I don't even live in America yet I'm so invested

[MortyMortyMorty]

USA: 2.5 months to change president
European countries: *1 day, take it or leave it*

[skrtskrt]

in the UK we have the election on a thursday and then the new government is in by monday

[nwyk]

I don't think Biden needs a tour of the white house. He's been there already.

[ltstar]

Lol imagine if biden starts his inaugural speech with "well folks, that was weird"

[jeffdapizzaman]

Ok but imagine Grover Cleveland giving Benjamin Harrison the tour and then 4 years later Cleveland is just like "yeah I know"

[guitarguy]

American politics. Grandads acting like kindergartners. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[kayzeaza]

Doesn’t matter what political party your in, this kind of stuff should make all American mad!

[WiseMasterNinja]

"The president needs to get caught up on intelligence" *shows Bush*

[aidengriffith]

At least Hoover’s people did not take over the capitol

[thetruth]

Can't wait for next season to start, this one ended with such a cliffhanger

[mrbanana]

The British system where you get going the next day

[inspectorfreakafunk]

"why does America take so long to switch presidents?"

* laughs in Mexican, as we take six months to switch *

[productionkos]

Vox: Why US takes so long to swear in new president
Me: Why is that?
Vox: It is what it is~

[jessehenderson]

The Conservative party, a party of traditions and securing the "old ways", doesn't adhere to tradition. What?

[jabriibrahim]

" Just as the Clinton's had done for the Bush's 8 years before and the Bush's for the Clinton's a 8 years before that " IS A HARROWING SENTENCE