Full-Scale Transition Work Expected
Janet Yellen, Former Fed Chair, Selected as Treasury Secretary
Antony Blinken Announced as Nominee for Secretary of State
President-elect Joe Biden is holding a video conference with mayors across the United States on the 23rd. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 23rd (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump instructed cooperation with the procedures necessary for President-elect Joe Biden's transition. Although he has not officially conceded defeat in the presidential election, considering the intense pressure to concede, the prevailing view is that he has effectively acknowledged Biden's victory. The transition process for President-elect Biden is expected to accelerate.
President Trump stated on Twitter that day, "I have advised Emily (Murphy), Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), and her team to do what they need to do according to the original procedures for the benefit of our country. I have also told my team to do the same."
President Trump's decision came 20 days after the election ended. It has been 16 days since Biden's victory was confirmed on the 7th.
President Trump had contested the election results through lawsuits and instructed the administration not to cooperate with the procedures necessary for the President-elect's transition, but he suddenly changed his stance.
On the same day, the GSA sent a letter to President-elect Biden stating that the Trump administration is ready to begin the official transition process. In the letter, Administrator Murphy said that the decision to allow the transition was made solely by herself. The Associated Press reported that the GSA confirmed Biden as the clear winner, and CNN also evaluated that Murphy's statement implied official recognition of Biden's victory.
President-elect Biden immediately welcomed the move. The Biden transition team issued a statement saying that the GSA's action was necessary to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, and described it as a measure allowing a smooth and peaceful transfer of power. The transition team announced that they would begin meetings with federal government officials.
With the GSA's action, the next administration's personnel appointments and COVID-19 response are expected to accelerate. Briefings for the President-elect will also begin, reducing concerns about gaps in diplomacy and national security.
On the same day, President-elect Biden announced appointments for the diplomatic and security line, including Tony Blinken as Secretary of State nominee and Jake Sullivan as National Security Council (NEC) advisor nominee. Local media also reported that Janet Yellen, former Chair of the Federal Reserve (Fed), has been nominated as Treasury Secretary. President-elect Biden is expected to officially announce the economic team appointments around the 30th, early next week.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
