Members of the President Donald Trump's administration has formally authorized the start of President-Elect Joe Biden's transition in to the White House. The decision comes after former Vice President Joe Biden spent the weekend fundraising to help handle the financial burden of transitioning without the support of the sitting President. Through this authorization, Biden and his colleagues will inch closer to accessing classified reports and coordinating upcoming COVID-19 relief efforts with the current administration.
Ultimately, the call to begin transitioning the Biden administration into office came from GSA Administration Emily Murphy. Immediately after news of the transition became public, Murphy issued a statement clarifying her reasoning behind the decision.
"I have dedicated much of my adult life to public service, and I have always strived to do what is right," she said.
"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."
In spite of Murphy's decision, Trump continues to fight the results of the election. This month, he has filed multiple lawsuits questioning the ballot counting process, alleging widespread voter fraud and much more. However, there is very little, if any, evidence to back up many of his claims. Still, top lawmakers such as Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky State Attorney General Daniel Cameron and several others have supported the President's legal fights.
Elsewhere, President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris have spent much of this month filling out their staffs, preparing transition efforts and rolling out COVID-19 response plans. Both Harris and Biden are set to be sworn in to office on January 20, 2021.
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