A little-known Trump appointee is in charge of handing transition resources to Biden -- and she isn't
A little-known Trump appointee is in charge of handing transition resources to Biden and she isnt budging
President Trump gives two thumbs up to supporters as he departs after playing golf at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., on Nov. 8. (Steve Helber/AP)
By
Lisa Rein,
Jonathan O'Connell and
Josh Dawsey
November 8, 2020 at 7:09 p.m. CST
A Trump administration appointee is refusing to sign a letter allowing President-elect Joe Bidens transition team to formally begin its work this week, in another sign the incumbent president has not acknowledged Bidens victory and could disrupt the transfer of power.
The administrator of the General Services Administration, the low-profile agency in charge of federal buildings, has a little-known role when a new president is elected: to sign paperwork officially turning over millions of dollars, as well as give access to government officials, office space in agencies and equipment authorized for the taxpayer-funded transition teams of the winner.
It amounts to a formal declaration by the federal government, outside of the media, of the winner of the presidential race.
But by Sunday evening, almost 36 hours after media outlets projected Biden as the winner, GSA Administrator Emily Murphy had written no such letter. And the Trump administration, in keeping with the presidents failure to concede the election, has no immediate plans to sign one. This could lead to the first transition delay in modern history, except in 2000, when the Supreme Court decided a recount dispute between Al Gore and George W. Bush in December.
An ascertainment has not yet been made, Pamela Pennington, a spokeswoman for GSA, said in an email, and its Administrator will continue to abide by, and fulfill, all requirements under the law.
More:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html
NRaleighLiberal
(60,006 posts)Blue Owl
(50,235 posts)elleng
(130,699 posts)temporarily at least.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)elleng
(130,699 posts)not a good idea these days, considering trump's in WH (now,) pointing out to him some one and some thing to 'fuss' about is foolish, imo.
Thekaspervote
(32,688 posts)bottomofthehill
(8,317 posts)Once again, party over country. Why is anyone shocked. She let the Trump hotel lease stand in violation of the agreement.
Cant wait till she is gone too. She too should never work in government again
rickford66
(5,521 posts)unblock
(52,107 posts)matt819
(10,749 posts)In previous transitions how did gas administrators behave?
Whats remarkable about all of this, including the fact that only two Republican senators have congratulated bide, is that the are acting as if there are no consequences. Sure, there may be no legal consequences but there is karma and there will be a price to pay when the republicans are in the minority in the senate. Forgive? Thats a matter for the conscience and maybe the soul. Forget? No fucking way. Looking at you Lindsey and Ted and Rand snd Marco, et al.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)3Hotdogs
(12,319 posts)who are gonna run the departments, agencies bureaus and so forth. New administrators need to know what is being worked on, what problems exist and so forth.
It does require 'help' from Orange Anus.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)there and lower level staffers will make it available. Just about any policy changes made under trump should be reversed.
Its not like Carter, Reagan, or Obama coming into office. For all practical purposes regarding transition, Biden is an incumbent.
Hestia
(3,818 posts)law from ever contacting the former secretaries for help in any way whatsoever. They said it is like taking a 75 day calculus course and then patted on the head and being told good luck in the future. It is the bane and firewall between administrations. May be something else to be looked at as we are looking at other regulations.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)But they didn't say "just buildings"
kurtcagle
(1,601 posts)Do you think that it matters much that people won't be able to meet in office buildings for transitioning? My only concern (and my real suspicion about the delay) is that the paper shredders are probably going full bore right now.
benld74
(9,901 posts)Emily.murphy@gsa.gov
SCantiGOP
(13,862 posts)You can get quick judgments when irreparable harm is being done.
And this involves national security.
Solly Mack
(90,758 posts)Cailinrain
(14 posts)Are you originally from SA TX?
CousinIT
(9,217 posts)emily.murphy@gsa.gov
RAISE. HOLY. HELL.
Fill up that email inbox. Slam that Twitter timeline. SHE doesn't get to decide. WE. THE. PEOPLE. have decided. SHE needs to DO. HER. JOB.