Joe Biden tells nation: 'You can't love your country only when you win'

You are not called to love your neighbor when it is convenient only, the president-elect told the nation in a nationally-televised speech from the White House Rose Garden Thursday.

Biden said he'd ordered his transition staff to coordinate with the Trump administration on a peaceful transition.

"Let us pledge today, no matter who you voted for, to see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans and bring down the temperature in our country," he said.

Biden also reiterated his conviction in the integrity of the election, describing it as honest, fair and transparent.

"The will of the people always prevails," he said.

He paid tribute to his running mate, who conceded the race to Republican President Donald Trump. Biden said he had no higher regard for someone than he did for Harris.

"She ran an inspiring campaign. She has great character, true character. She gave her whole heart and her whole effort, and she and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran," Biden said.

The president-elect also defended some of his accomplishments in office. He pointed to infrastructure work his administration has pushed.

"We're going to see over a trillion dollars worth of infrastructure work done, changing people's lives in rural communities, and communities that are in real distress, because it takes a long time to get that done. We're going to make a difference," he said.

"Leaving behind the strongest economy in the world, a growing economy in the midst of a pandemic. That's not easy to do," he added.

"I know people are hurting," he said, but added, "Together, we've changed America for the better."

"Setbacks are inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable," Biden said in his final message to Americans.

"We're going to be fine, but we're going to have to stay engaged. We're going to have to keep going, and above all, keep the faithful," he said.

Biden thanked voters in a statement Wednesday for the privilege to serve as vice president of the United States.

"In the end, I can only hope I lived up to your trust and the trust of my fellow citizens," Biden said.

"We fought hard, and we ran a good, fair campaign, never stooping to pettiness or rancor. We stayed focused on the things that matter most for the American people," Biden said in the statement, which did not mention Republican President Donald Trump.

"This has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime," Biden added.

Trump defeated Biden in the swing states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin and Michigan. ABC News has not projected winners in the final two swing states, Nevada or Arizona.

Republicans took control of the Senate. Results for the House of Representatives are not clear.