officially begins after controversial delay. ANGELA WEISS /
AFP
President Donald Trump said Monday he no longer opposes
government aid for Joe Biden’s transition team in his closest
statement yet to finally conceding he lost the US
election.
Trump’s tweet that the General Services Administration should
“do what needs to be done” came after the agency’s head, Emily
Murphy, said she was releasing the long-delayed assistance.
Trump has spent the last three weeks since the November 3
election claiming without any evidence that Biden’s convincing
victory was the result of fraud. Murphy, who denies acting under
political pressure, has refused until now to release the standard
package of aid that her agency manages to Biden’s incoming
team.
Biden’s team welcomed the decision, saying in a statement it
will provide the incoming administration “with the resources and
support necessary to carry out a smooth and peaceful transfer of
power.”
“Today’s decision is a needed step to begin tackling the
challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under
control and our economy back on track. This final decision is a
definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition
process with federal agencies.”
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The decision frees up millions of dollars in financing to
support the transition, as well as formally allows Biden to
coordinate with current government officials.
Murphy, who had faced harsh criticism over her previous refusal
to act, said in her letter to Biden obtained by various US news
outlets that “contrary to media reports and insinuations, my
decision was not made out of fear or favoritism.”
The step by her GSA is usually a routine one following a US
presidential election, but Trump’s continuing efforts to overturn
the results of the vote and refusal to concede have complicated the
process.
AFP