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One of the current members of the Trump Administration revealed to CNN that his team had informal contact with Joe Biden. “Nothing that can cause us problems. We only offer to help. They know what our intention is and what we can and cannot say or do “the source said Wednesday.
According to this official of the current Administration, that contact has not yet led to substantial conversations.
Already a former member of Donald Trump’s team who left the Administration a few months ago told CNN they have sent a email someone who believes will join the future Biden Administration in a position similar to his and offered to help him.
Another former official of the still president said that contacts are being made to fulfill an obligation with the country that is above partisan issues. According to the same source, the talks have not been as detailed as the formal transition meetings that should take place. The communications will help the president-elect team better understand the issues they will have to address after taking office on January 20.
An adviser to Joe Biden confirmed to CNN the contact received from the current administration, but declined to elaborate. Another member of the Democratic team said the help is welcome and that in many cases it is just a growing relationship that already exists in some fields.
Despite this, the source noted that this aid is not as robust as it would be in a traditional power transition.
“It takes more than former employees to choose to step up and be helpful to ensure a smooth transition of power,” said Kate Bedingfield, deputy campaign manager and advisor to Joe Biden.
“The United States General Services Administration (GSA) must comply with the law and verify election results. so that Americans can have an effective and smooth transition between administrations, “he defended.
Biden’s strategy against Covid-19 suspended
With the refusal of the US General Services Administration to recognize Joe Biden as president and initiate a formal transition, the Democrat remains unable to establish contacts with federal agencies and without access to funds to hire members of his future Administration.
The delay in this transition It also prevents Joe Biden from starting his promised efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic. and participate in meetings with intelligence services.
The Trump administration even went order the United States Department of Health and Human Services – responsible for protecting the health of Americans and providing essential human services, currently focused on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic – that he does not respond to any contact from the Biden team and that he alerts the head of that Department if such contact should exist.
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday that his employees will not work with Joe Biden’s transition team until the General Services Administration determines that he is president-elect.
“We have already made it very clear that when the GSA makes a decision, we will ensure a professional, comprehensive and cooperative transition and planning,” said the Trump administration official. “We follow the guidelines. We are about to receive vaccines and life-saving drugs. We are focused on that now, ”he added.
Biden’s team contacted former Pentagon members
Even with the eventual approval of the General Services Administration, some entities will remain limited in terms of what they can share with the future Biden Administration.
This is the case of the Department of Justice and intelligence agencies, where certain information can only be passed on when the president-elect appoints members of his government and their hiring is authorized.
The Defense Department also refrained from sharing information with Joe Biden’s team. For that reason, the president-elect’s team has been in contact with former officials who worked for former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
According to sources heard by CNN, these conversations have been held to help the transition team understand the details of what has happened in the Department over the past four years, in the inability to consult with current Pentagon officials.
Democrat Joe Biden claimed victory in the November 3 presidential election and will take office on January 20. The now-elected president obtained 306 electoral votes, compared to 232 for Donald Trump.
