US President Donald Trump has accepted a formal transition should begin for President-elect, Joe Biden to take office but has vowed to keep up the fight.
Mr Trump was defeated by Mr Biden in the US election earlier in November but has consistently refused to accept the result, claiming widespread voter fraud.
The president announced he had given Emily Murphy, the head of the General Services Administration (GSA), the go-ahead to proceed with a transition for Mr Biden’s administration.
The GSA is an independent agency responsible for many of the basic services that allow the US government to function, from buildings and transport management to IT, financial services, supply chains and human resources.
Mr Trump said in a tweet that his case against the election results “strongly continues”, adding that he and supporters would “keep up the good fight”.
But he added, “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.”
As a result, shortly after his announcement, the US General Services Administration ascertained that Joe Biden was the “apparent winner” of the election and informed Biden that his transition – leading up to a January 20 swearing-in – could officially begin.
“Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official – including those who work at the White House or GSA – with regard to the substance or timing of my decision,” Ms Murphy, head of GSA wrote in a letter to Mr Biden.
Federal law states the GSA administrator must issue a letter of “ascertainment” determining the likely winner of the race before the transition can formally begin.
Ms Murphy, a Trump appointee, has faced bipartisan criticism for failing to begin the transition process sooner, preventing Biden’s team from working with agency officials on plans for his administration, including in critical national security and public health areas.
However, the move means that Mr Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris will have federal funds, an official office in Washington DC, and regular national security briefings as they head towards Inauguration Day.
After the announcement, the Executive Director of the President-elect Biden’s transition, Yohannes Abraham said Ms Murphy’s decision had given the incoming administration the “resources and support necessary to carry out a smooth and peaceful transfer of power”.
He added that in “the days ahead, transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response, have a full accounting of our national security interests, and gain complete understanding of the Trump administration’s efforts to hollow out government agencies.”
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer posited that “this is probably the closest thing to a concession that President Trump could issue.
“Let us all now – Democrats and Republicans, the Trump administration and the incoming Biden administration, unite together for a smooth and peaceful transition that will benefit America.”
