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The president of United States, Donald trump, said Monday that he no longer opposes his government assisting his rival Joe Biden’s transition team, although without acknowledging his defeat, after weeks clinging to a legal battle to challenge the results.
Just when Biden moved with the announcements of key positions for his government, which begins on January 20, the outgoing president agreed to start the transition process, which involves access to documents for the new administration.
Trump tweeted that the General Services Administration should “do whatever it takes” after the agency’s director, Emily Murphy, said she was going to start the process, blocked so far.
But in the same message, the Republican president refused to grant his rival victory and stated: “Our case continues with STRENGTH, we are going to continue to have a good fight and I think we are going to win!”
… fight, and I believe we will prevail! However, in the best interest of our country, I recommend that Emily and her team do whatever it takes regarding the initial protocols, and I have told my team to do the same.
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2020
Biden celebrated the step taken, describing it as crucial to a “peaceful transfer of power” after weeks of unprecedented tension in the United States.
The veteran Democratic politician announced on Monday his appointments to diplomacy and national security, a team made up mostly of veterans of the Barack Obama administration who signal a return to traditional US foreign policy.
The experienced diplomat Antony Blinken was appointed as secretary of state and the former head of diplomacy John Kerry was appointed special delegate for climate. Linda Thomas-Greenfield was elected as Ambassador to the UN, Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence and Jake Sullivan will serve as National Security Advisor.
In a sign of renewal, Biden chose Alejandro Mayorkas as head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Mayorkas – who was born in Havana – will be the first Latino to lead this portfolio that deals with immigration, among other issues.
The first appointments are aimed at moving away from the Trump-sponsored “America First” policy, to take a more multilateral approach.
“We have no time to waste when it comes to our national security and our foreign policy.”Biden said in a statement that was issued in English and Spanish.
Biden stressed that the members of his cabinet are “experienced”, as they have proven their qualities “in crisis situations.” The president-elect emphasized that his team will be dedicated to the task of “rebuilding” the institutions and renewing and reformulating the “American leadership.”
Kerry’s appointment points in particular to Biden’s promise to return to the Paris Climate Agreement to fight global warming.
Also this Monday it was known that Janet Yellen will serve as Secretary of the Treasury, making history as the first woman to lead this portfolio, if confirmed in office by the Senate.
The 74-year-old economist was the chairman of the Federal Reserve during part of the Obama administration and was replaced by Trump four years later.
Many of the appointments that the Democratic government plans will have to pass through the Senate where until now the Republicans have a narrow majority, which they could lose depending on the result of the extraordinary election of the two seats for the upper house that is held in Georgia on 5 January.
Fading options
With the certification of the results in Michigan on Monday, the Republican president’s hopes were almost completely dashed, especially since his team lost an ongoing legal battle in Pennsylvania, which is also preparing to make its results official.
The president has avoided the press, marking a sharp contrast to his strategy during his government, and has reduced his public agenda to a minimum.
While the results show that Biden obtained a comfortable majority, Trump’s tactics aim to disrupt the certification processes of the different states ahead of the formal Electoral College vote on December 14.
Trump has been losing support in recent days and gradually cracks appear among Republicans: former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie – who was a close confidant of the president – distanced himself and referred to Trump’s legal team as a “national shame ”.
Pennsylvania Senator Patrick Toomey said after the court decision that Trump had exhausted “all plausible legal options.”
The latest heavyweight to step down and pressure Trump to accept the results was Stephen Schwarzman, a banker who runs the private fund Blackstone and was very close to the president.
“The country should turn the page”he told Axios on Monday.
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