Incumbent United States President Donald Trump has agreed to begin the formal process of handing over power to the new president-elect, Joe Biden, on Monday after the government agency meant to ease Joe Biden’s transition into the White House said it was finally lifting its unprecedented block on assistance.
Trump acknowledged it was time for the General Services Administration (GSA) to “do what needs to be done.” On the other hand, GSA says it is recognizing Mr. Biden as “the winner for the time being”.
Biden’s victory received final recognition soon after the election results in Michigan were officially certified. The Biden team welcomed the decision to begin the power transfer process.
In a statement, Biden’s office said “today’s decision was a necessary step in addressing the challenges facing the nation, including controlling pandemic and speeding up the economy.”
On the transfer of power, Trump said in a tweet that the GSA, which is in the formal process of handing over power, had told the Biden camp that “they were going to begin the process”.
Administrator Emily W. Murphy says she has released $6.3 million for the new president, however, Donald Trump has insisted that he was still refusing to concede, saying: “Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail!”.
“Emily and her team should do what is in the best interests of the nation, and I have told my team to do the same,” he said. Murphy was nominated by Trump as GSA chief.
Emily Murphy cited the recent developments, including election results certification and legal challenges, were made “based on his decision”, but declined to comment on any pressure from the White House.
“I want to make it clear that I have not received any instructions to delay the process,” she mentioned in her letter to Mr. Biden.
“But I have received threats online, on the phone and in e-mails involving my safety, my family, officials and even my pet so I don’t make premature decisions. Even in the face of thousands of threats, I was committed to putting the law first,” she mentioned.Emily Murphy has been widely criticized by both political factions in the United States for failing to begin the process of handing over power as a routine post-election process. Democrats gave her time until last Monday to begin the process. Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/
