US President-elect Joe Biden, a man who has probably already organised to replace the White House silverware before his arrival, has labelled US President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede this month’s election an “embarrassment”.
At a press conference in his home state of Delaware this morning, Biden was asked about the fact Trump flat-out refuses to concede the election.
“How can I say this, tactfully?” Biden said. “I think it will not help the president’s legacy.”
President-elect Joe Biden on Pres. Trump’s refusal to concede the election: “I just think it’s an embarrassment, quite frankly…How can I say this tactfully? I think it will not help the president’s legacy.” https://t.co/5ApNfsjqSC pic.twitter.com/zb6aWtNLtk
— ABC News (@ABC) November 10, 2020
Biden’s first public comments since numerous outlets declared him the victor come as Trump continues to challenge the results of the election, push for legal action against unfavourable counts, and claim widespread voter fraud tilted the polls in Biden’s favour.
There’s no evidence that has occurred, but Trump’s position on the issue is having an outsized impact on the transition.
In his own statement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today told reporters there will be a “smooth transition” of power – to “a second Trump administration.”
.@SecPompeo: “There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration.”
Full video here: https://t.co/6Rou91HQxv pic.twitter.com/MU9Gp2QWnq
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 10, 2020
Citing sources with nitty-gritty knowledge of the situation, The Daily Beast also reports that Team Trump is still vetting candidates for plum roles in his second term – a second term which is essentially just wishful thinking at this point.
With all of that in mind, Biden said he’d like to be clued into national security briefings, as other presidents-elect are before formally taking office.
“Mr President, I look forward to speaking with you,” Biden told reporters.
