11/09/2020

Refusing to Concede, Trump Blocks Cooperation on Transition

Biden clenched 279 electoral votes over the weekend

On Monday, the Trump administration threw the presidential transition into tumult, with Attorney General William Barr authorizing the Justice Department to probe allegations of voter fraud and President Donald Trump firing the Pentagon chief and blocking government officials from cooperating with President-elect Joe Biden's team.

Barr signed off on investigations into unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud made repeatedly by Trump. Even as Biden began assembling experts to face the surging pandemic, the federal agency that needs to green light the beginnings of the transition of power held off on taking that step. And the White House moved to crack down on those not deemed sufficiently loyal as Trump continued to refuse to concede the race.

Top Republicans largely refused to put widespread pressure on Trump to accept his election loss. He remained out of sight at the White House, conversations ongoing about how the defeated president would spend the coming days and weeks as he challenged the people’s verdict. The ouster of Defense Secretary Mark Esper was expected by some aides to be the first of several firings by Trump, now freed from having to face voters again and angry at those in his administration perceived to be insufficiently loyal. Others believed to be vulnerable: FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Gina Haspel and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Associated Press.