GSA notifies Biden that Trump admin is ready to start transition process

The federal General Services Administration notified President-elect Joe Biden on Monday that the Trump administration is ready to start the transition of power.

A letter from GSA Administrator Emily Murphy detailed the development — which President Trump acknowledged on Twitter.

“I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country. She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA,’’ Trump tweeted.

“Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good … fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same,’’ the president wrote.

The decision comes as the Michigan Board of Canvassers on Monday voted to certify the state’s election results, which were in Biden’s favor.

The GSA’s move frees up “post-election resources and services’’ for a “presidential transition,’’ according to Murphy’s letter to Biden.
“Because of recent developments involving legal challenges and certifications of election results, [I] am transmitting this letter today to make those resources and services available to you,’’ the GSA chief wrote.

“I have dedicated much of my adult life to public service, and I have always strived to do what is right. Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts,’’ she said.

“I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official—including those who work at the White House or GSA—with regard to the substance or timing of my decision.

“To be clear, I did not receive any direction to delay my determination,’’ Murphy wrote.

“I did, however, receive threats online, by phone, and by mail directed at my safety, my family, my staff, and even my pets in an effort to coerce me into making this determination prematurely.”

The GSA official added, “As stated, because of recent developments involving legal challenges and certifications of election results, I have determined that you may access the post-election resources and services described in Section 3 of the Act upon request.

“The actual winner of the presidential election will be determined by the electoral process detailed in the Constitution,’’ Murphy wrote.
She said a total of $7.3 million would be provided to Biden for the transition.

The head of Biden’s transition team said in a statement, “The GSA Administrator has ascertained President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the apparent winners of the election, providing the incoming Administration with the resources and support necessary to carry out a smooth and peaceful transfer of power.

“This final decision is a definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition process with federal agencies.

“In the days ahead, transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response, have a full accounting of our national security interests, and gain complete understanding of the Trump administration’s efforts to hollow out government agencies.”