Trump And GSA Authorize Biden To Begin Presidential Transition

Topline

The head of the General Services Administration officially authorized President-elect Joe Biden to begin his transition to the presidency on Monday as President Donald Trump tweeted his support for the move after a long period of resistance amid the president’s continued refusal to concede the election.

Key Facts

Key Background

Biden made numerous entreaties to Trump and the administration to allow him to begin the transition, even noting that doing so would not amount to a formal concession as the Act defines the president-elect as the “apparent winner.” Biden and his allies – as well as a number of Republican senators and former Trump administration officials – warned that his inability to be briefed by current administration officials could hamper national security and set back progress in combatting coronavirus.

Chief Critic

“You lose a lot if the transition is delayed because the new people are not allowed to get their head in the game,” Trump’s former chief of staff John Kelly said earlier this month amid Trump’s refusal to authorize the transition. Kelly said Trump’s resistance “hurts our national security” and said it would be “crazy not to” authorize it.

Crucial Quote

“Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good… fight, and I believe we will prevail!” Trump tweeted, signaling that his authorization does not amount to a concession.

What To Watch For

The Biden transition told Forbes that its agency review teams would begin talking to agencies, with “meetings to follow in the coming days.” Biden transition executive director Yohannes Abraham specified that transition officials would discuss the pandemic response, national security and “the Trump administration’s efforts to hollow out government agencies” with federal officials.