The General Services Administration (GSA) has informed President-elect Joe Biden and his team that the Trump administration is ready to begin the transition process.
GSA Administrator Emily Murphy, a Trump appointee, sent a letter to Biden on Monday saying that he would have access to federal resources and services to facilitate a presidential transition, according to a copy obtained by The Hill.
Trump in two tweets wrote that he had asked Murphy to begin the transition, though he did not concede his loss to Biden and said he would keep fighting.
…fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2020
The tweet marked a shift for Trump, who has refused to acknowledge the results of the election since Biden was first projected as the winner more than two weeks ago.
The move comes roughly three weeks after the presidential election, amid mounting pressure on Murphy to ascertain Biden as the winner so that millions of dollars in federal resources would be freed up in order to help with the transition process.
“As the Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration, I have the ability under the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, as amended, to make certain post-election resources and services available to assist in the event of a presidential transition,” Murphy wrote.
“I take this role seriously and, because of recent developments involving legal challenges and certifications of election results, am transmitting this letter today to make those resources and services available to you,” she added.
Murphy wrote that she came to the decision independently and that she was “never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official” in the timing or substance of her decision. She noted that she received threats to her safety and that of her family.
……..
- Discussion
-
JUST IN: Trump tells GSA to allow Biden transition to begin, still vows he will "prevail" in election https://t.co/EH06FDxeiF pic.twitter.com/aWLc8LSlpl
— The Hill (@thehill) November 23, 2020
This is his "It was my idea to begin the transition" tweet, because he's just a stupid little boy, but it's good enough to get the transition underway. https://t.co/shm2W82Dv5
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) November 24, 2020
The letter’s worth a read. It may be the most unprofessional thing I’ve seen an agency head put on letterhead. She makes this about her. She makes excuses. She never says that she ascertains the apparent winner. But she releases funds as though she has, so there’s that at least. https://t.co/4vjePwgOZk
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) November 23, 2020
Anyone who thinks Donald Trump wrote this tweet, please contact me because I want to introduce you to a Nigerian prince. https://t.co/6zRHfjRef9
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) November 23, 2020
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.