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A smooth transition of power in the US seems less likely, with Donald Trump blocking cooperation with Joe Biden’s team and the US attorney general authorizing investigations into allegations of voter fraud.
The Electoral College is expected to formally confirm Mr bidenVictory of December 14 with the inauguration of the Democrat at the end of January.
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Yet few Republicans have acknowledged the victory and some, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have rallied. Mr trumpEfforts to fight the election results.
On Monday, Barr authorized the Justice Department to investigate “substantial” allegations of voter wrongdoing and voter fraud, although there are no widespread instances of such problems.
In a memo to US attorneys obtained by The Associated Press, Barr wrote that investigations can be conducted “if there are clear and seemingly credible allegations of wrongdoing that, if true, could affect the outcome of a federal election in an individual state.”
Choice Officials from both political parties have publicly stated that the vote went well. International observers also confirmed that there were no serious irregularities.
States have until Dec. 8 to resolve electoral disputes, including recount and court disputes over results.
Legal challenges have been dismissed in battle states like Georgia and Wisconsin.
On Monday night, the Justice Department’s top prosecutor for electoral crimes, Richard Pilger, said he would resign from that position in response to the attorney general’s memo, according to an email he sent to colleagues and obtained by the AP.
Biden’s campaign attorney Bob Bauer said Barr’s memo authorizing the investigations “will only fuel the ‘misleading, speculative, fanciful or outlandish claims’ he professes to protect himself from.
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Biden went ahead with plans to build his administration, assembling a team of experts to tackle the growing COVID-19 pandemic.
But the federal agency that needs to give the green light to the beginning of the transition of power has refrained from taking that step.
And the White House took steps to crack down on those who did not consider themselves loyal enough, such as Defense Secretary Mark Esper, as Trump continued to refuse to concede the race.
Trump remained out of sight at the White House, with ongoing conversations about how the defeated president would spend the next few days and weeks as he defied the people’s verdict.
Joe Biden is due to be inaugurated at the end of January.
The former reality TV star is not expected to formally relent, but is likely to reluctantly leave the White House at the end of his term, according to several people around him.
The possibility of more campaign-style rallies is being discussed as Trump tries to keep his supporters excited despite his defeat. Their family and prominent supporters might be featured, but not the president himself.
Some attendees hoped the removal of Esper, the Pentagon chief, would be the first of several Trump firings.
Others believed to be now vulnerable include FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Gina Haspel, and infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.
