GSA Informs Biden That The Trump Administration Is Ready To Begin Formal Transition

The General Services Administration Administrator, Emily Murphy,  sent a letter to Joe Biden informing him that President Donald Trump is ready to start the formal transition process. Biden has been waiting to be ascertained since he won the election in early November.

Murphy said she wasn’t pressured to withhold her determination.

“Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts,” Murphy wrote. “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.”

The letter of ascertainment starts the transition process and allows Biden’s team to access federal funding and resources. The ascertainment comes as Georgia certified election results.

“GSA does not dictate the outcome of legal disputes and recounts, not does it determine whether such proceedings are reasonable or justified,” Murphy wrote. “These are issues that the Constitution, federal laws, and state laws leave to the election certification process and decisions by courts of competent jurisdiction. I do not think that an agency charged with improving federal procurement and property management should place itself above the constitutionally-based election process. I strongly urge Congress to consider amendments to the Act.”