Loading
Election officials of both parties have said there is no evidence of major irregularities. Democrats and other critics have accused Trump of trying to legitimise Biden’s victory and undermine public confidence in the American electoral process. Before the election, Trump had refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power.
Trump’s refusal to formally concede does not change the fact that Biden is the President-elect, but it has stalled the government’s normal process of preparing for a new presidential administration.
The Trump administration’s decision not to recognise Biden as the winner has prevented Biden and his team from gaining access to government office space and to funding normally afforded to an incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition.
The federal agency in charge of providing those resources, the General Services Administration, has yet to recognise Biden’s victory.
Loading
Biden has spent days huddled with advisers as he weighs cabinet appointments, fields congratulatory calls from world leaders and maps out the policies he will pursue after being sworn in on January 20.
Biden has won far more than the 270 state-by-state Electoral College votes needed to claim the presidency.
Trump supporters rally
On Saturday, tens of thousands of Trump supporters ventured into Washington to echo his claims of election fraud. The “Million MAGA March,” referring to Trump’s campaign slogan of “Make America Great Again,” drew a crowd of flag-waving supporters to downtown Washington.
Trump’s motorcade passed through the crowd on its way to his golf course in Virginia, producing cheers from demonstrators as the president waved from the back seat.
Trump supporters in Washington on Saturday.Credit:AP
The march was largely peaceful, though numerous scuffles broke out between Trump supporters and counter-protesters that continued after dark. One person was stabbed and taken to a trauma centre, the city’s fire and emergency medical services department said. The Washington Post reported the stabbing occurred amid a brawl that broke out after 8pm.
The city’s police force arrested at least 10 people, including several who were charged with assault.
With his chances of reversing the outcome virtually extinguished, Trump has discussed with advisers potential media ventures that would keep him in the spotlight ahead of a possible 2024 White House bid, aides said.
States are in the process of certifying their election results. The Electoral College meets to vote for the new president on December 14.
Biden’s pick for White House chief of staff, Ron Klain, said this week that a rapid transition is necessary to ensure the government is prepared to roll out a potential coronavirus vaccine early next year.
Tackling the raging pandemic will be a paramount priority for Biden. The United States set a new daily record of new cases on Friday for the fourth straight day.
More than 244,000 people in the country have died of the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
Reuters
Most Viewed in World
Loading
