WASHINGTON (AP) – The federal government officially recognized President-elect Joe Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election, formally beginning the transition of power after President Donald Trump spent weeks examining the boundaries of American democracy. He had to turn again after suffering more legal and procedural defeats in his seemingly failed attempts to overthrow the election with baseless claims of fraud.
Trump still refused to accept and vowed to continue the fight in court after General Services Administrator Emily Murphy gave the green light Monday to coordinate Biden with federal agencies ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration. But Trump tweeted that he was instructing his team to cooperate in the transition.
The fast-paced series of events seems to be taking a toll on Trump’s fierce efforts to weaken the will of the people, like a week-long stress test for American democracy. But the crisis of confidence in Trump’s political system and the U.S. Efforts to increase the fairness of the election are not over and his is likely to continue beyond his lame-duck president.
“Recent developments linked to the legal challenges and credentials of the election results,” Murphy said, explaining his decision.
He acted after certifying Biden’s victory in a post-Michigan state of war on Monday, and a federal judge in Pennsylvania on Saturday claimed the Trump campaign could seek to withhold certification in the state.
After enduring weeks of baseless claims of Trump’s fraud, the growing number of Republicans has also come at a time when publicly acknowledging Biden’s victory. The president was increasingly frustrated with the provocative tactics of his legal team.
In recent days, members including senior Trump support staff Mark Meadows and White House adviser Pat Seaplon have also encouraged him to let the transition begin, telling the president he doesn’t need to accept but can no longer support endorsing Biden. Transition.
Johannes Abraham, executive director of the Biden transition, said the decision was “a necessary step to begin to address the challenges facing our nation, including controlling the epidemic and getting our economy back on track.”
Murphy, Trump’s appointee, faced bilateral criticism for failing to start the transition process early, which prevented Biden’s team from working with career agency officials on plans for his administration. The delay denied Biden access to high-class national security briefings and hampered his team’s ability to begin drawing up its own plans to respond to the raging coronavirus epidemic.
Murphy insisted that she act on her own.
“Please know that I have come to my decision independently based on the law and the available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by an executive branch official – including those working at the White House or the GSA – regardless of the substance or timing of my decision.
Trump tweeted moments after Murphy’s decision: “We will continue to fight well and I believe we will win! However, in the best interest of our country, I recommend that Emily and her team do what they have to do with regard to the initial protocol, and ask my team to do the same. ”
Max Steer, president and CEO of the Nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, criticized the delay but said Biden’s team would be able to overcome it.
“Unfortunately, losing every day for delayed oversight was an missed opportunity for the outgoing administration to help President-elect Joe Biden prepare to face our country’s biggest challenges.” “The good news is that the president-elect and his team are the most prepared and well-equipped of any administration that comes to mind recently.”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the GSA action is “probably the closest thing to a waiver President Trump can issue.” – The nation faces “many crises that demand a smooth transition” – Schumer urged Democrats and Republicans to “join together.” A smooth and peaceful transition that will benefit America. “
Murphy’s action came just 90 minutes after Michigan election officials certified Biden’s 154,000-vote victory in the state. The board, consisting of two Republicans and two Democrats, has given Can F State canvassers a GP. Trump and his allies hoped to block the vote to allow time for the ballot’s audit dit in Wayne County, where Trump has claimed without evidence that he was a victim of fraud. Biden crushed the president there with more than 330,000 votes.
Some of Trump’s allies expressed hope that state legislators could interfere in the selection of Republican voters in non-certified states. In Michigan that long-awaited bid is not possible.
“The people of Michigan have spoken. President-elect Biden won the state of Michigan by more than 154,000 votes, and on January 20 he will become our next president, “said Amigan Governor Gretchen Whitmeyer, a Democrat.” It’s time to put this election behind us. ”
Trump was increasingly frustrated by his legal team, led by former New York City mayor Rudy Giulini, whose erratic public performances have led to bipartisan sarcasm in recent weeks. Nonetheless, legal challenges were expected to continue, as Trump seeks to keep his supporters on his side and keep his options open for post-presidential opportunities.
In Pennsylvania on Saturday, a conservative Republican judge reprimanded the Trump campaign’s largest legal effort in the state, questioning why they had to justify their claims and excuse millions of voters without any evidence with unfounded legal argument. .
But prosecutors are still hoping to block state certification, 3G U.S. in Philadelphia. The Circuit Court of Appeals quickly appeals appeals, which ordered lawyers to file a brief on Monday but did not agree to hear oral arguments.
The campaign called for immediate consideration in its filing so they can challenge the state’s election results before they are certified next month. If not, they will investigate them in detail.
Biden won Pennsylvania by more than 80,000 votes.
The Pennsylvania County Elections Board voted Monday for the state department to certify election results. The boards in the two most populous counties are split compared to the party, with a majority of Democrats voting to certify in both places. After all counties have sent certified results to Secretary of State Kathy Booker, she must provide votes, counts and votes for all races. The law requires her to do that work quickly, but does not set a specific time limit.
In Wisconsin, one of the state’s two largest liberal industries counts stalled on its fourth day, with Milwaukee County election officials complaining that Trump observers are slowing down the process with repeated challenges. Trump’s hopes of reversing Biden’s victory there depend on disqualifying thousands of absentee ballots જેમાં including an absentee ballot by one of Trump’s own campaign attorneys in Dan County.
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Associated Press Writers in Philadelphia Mary Klair Dale, Jonathan Lamire in New York, Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pa., Christina A. in Atlanta. Cassidy and Mish., Trich Vers City, Mitch.
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