US Elections: Messages For Joe Biden Piling Up As Transition Blocks

Messages for President-elect Joe Biden are piling up in the US State Department due to President Trump’s refusal to admit defeat in the recent presidential election.

That’s according to State Department officials who told CNN that “dozens” of incoming messages had not been received and that Biden’s team “would rather” use “State Department resources” rather than having to facilitate phone calls. with the leaders themselves.

The former Democratic vice president has already spoken with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, British leader Boris Johnson, Germany’s Angela Merkel and Canadian Justin Trudeau, who congratulated him on his victory.

Biden has also reportedly been barred from receiving the daily intelligence reports given to the president, raising concerns that he could be out of the loop once he takes office.

The State Department plays a key role in any American administration, responsible for presenting the face of the United States to the world and managing relations with other countries.

Yet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been one of Trump’s most fervent supporters, saying earlier this week there would be a “smooth transition to a second Trump administration” in remarks that sparked outrage. .

Pompeo also responded to claims that the United States could barely comment on free and fair elections around the world when the president refused to accept an outcome.

He said the idea was “ridiculous” and “the world should have full confidence that the transition needed to make sure the State Department is functional today, successful today, and successful with a president taking office on January 20 one minute. after noon, it will also be successful. “

His comments were described as “unfounded and dangerous” by the Democratic Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel.

“In fact, all Administration officials must abandon their false claims about electoral fraud and [the General Services Administration] it should release the funds and support necessary for a smooth transition that protects our national security, “he said.

“The State Department should now begin preparing for the transition of President-elect Biden.”

The gap between the US State Department and the electorate has not gone unnoticed around the world. On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the US voting system is “probably the most archaic” in the world given that Joe Biden won the popular vote by more than five million votes.

He said it “significantly distorts the will of the population” and explained that Russia could not congratulate Biden because of the US position.

“The State Department has not yet recognized the presidential elections,” he said. That contrasts with the 2016 result when Putin congratulated Trump an hour after his victory.

So far, little about the 2020 elections has played out in accordance with convention. The vote saw a record turnout across the United States, including a large number of mail-in votes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump has refused to admit defeat, instead raising a series of legal challenges alleging election fraud, despite official assurances to the contrary.

So far, this has hampered the traditional transition period, in which a sitting president typically invites his successor in the White House to meet with them and show them the ropes.

First lady Melania Trump has also refused to approach Dr. Jill Biden, as Michelle Obama did in 2016.

Despite the hurdles, the Biden-Harris transition team has been working quickly to announce its priorities in the role, including the appointment of a coronavirus task force and the appointment of experienced political operator Ron Klain as chief of staff. , a key function that includes managing the president’s journal.

Klain, 59, was Vice President Al Gore’s chief of staff and worked with Biden when he was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was also responsible for coordinating the White House response to the Ebola crisis in 2014 under President Obama.

“Ron has been invaluable to me over the many years that we have worked together,” Biden said in announcing the news.

“His broad and varied experience and ability to work with people from across the political spectrum is precisely what I need in a White House chief of staff as we face this time of crisis and bring our country together again.”

Klain said the role was “the honor of a lifetime.”

“I look forward to helping him and the vice president-elect build a talented and diverse team to serve in the White House as we address his ambitious change agenda and seek to heal the gaps in our country.”