Trump agrees that transition to Biden administration could begin | US & Canada

Key federal agency Joe Biden says he is the ‘clear winner’ in the United States election, paving the way for the transition to begin.

A federal agency has officially stepped in to begin his transition to the presidency of United States President-elect Joe Biden, shortly after Michigan’s Battlefield State confirmed him winner there.

With the rapid developments on Monday, President Donald Trump has already slowed down efforts to reverse his November 3 defeat.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), an independent agency, has confirmed that Biden is a “clear winner” in the election, and has informed Biden that his transition, which led to his swearing-in on January 20, will begin.

GSA Administrator Emily Murphy made the decision after Trump’s attempts to challenge the vote failed in the battlefield states, citing “recent developments involving legal challenges and verification of election results.”

Michigan confirmed Biden’s victory Monday, and a federal judge in Pennsylvania on Saturday threw out a Trump campaign lawsuit seeking to block the certification in that state.

Murphy, who was appointed by Trump, faced bilateral criticism for failing to initiate the transition process quickly, preventing the Biden team from working with career agency officials on plans for his administration, including critical national security and public health areas.

“Please note that I have made my decision independently based on the law and the facts available. I have not directly or indirectly pressured any executive branch official, including those working in the White House or the GSA, regarding the substance or timing of my decision,” Murphy said in a letter to Biden.

Trump agrees to begin the transition

Trump, who has refused to accept the election, said in a tweet that he was directing his team to cooperate on the transition, but vowing to continue the fight.

In a tweet, Trump wrote that Murphy and her team “should do what needs to be done with regard to early protocols, and told my team to do the same.”

Fight, and I believe we will win! However, in the best interests of our country, I recommend what Emily and her team do with regard to early protocols and tell my team to do the same.

– Donald J. Trump (realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2020

Biden-Harris Transition Executive Director Johannes Abraham responded in a statement: “This final decision is a definite administrative step to formally initiate the transition process with the federal agencies.

“In the coming days, transition officials will begin a meeting with federal officials [coronavirus] In response to the epidemic, have a full account of our national security interests and gain a full understanding of the Trump administration ‘s efforts to vacate government agencies. ”

Separately, Tennessee Republican Senator Lamar Alexander, who has repeatedly called for the transition to begin, issued a statement Monday saying Trump should “put the country first” and help the Biden administration succeed.

“When you are in public life, people remember the last thing you do,” Alexander said.