Biden starts to get secret WH briefing
WASHINGTON: Joe Biden has had his first look as presidentelect at the President’s Daily Brief, a top secret summary of US intelligence and world events as he prepared to take over in January.
Arizona and Wisconsin certified Biden’s victory, delivering another snub t o President Donald Trump’s efforts to cling on to the presidency.
Biden will introduce his economic team comprising nominees for Janet Yellen as treasury secretary and Neera Tanden as director of the Office of Management and budget on Tuesday.
He also announced his presidential inauguration committee with Maju Varghese, an Indian American, as executive director. Tony Allen, African American CEO of a Delaware university, will head it as CEO.
All six swing states have now made their election outcomes official, clearing the path for Biden to win 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232.
The Trump campaign has continued to file lawsuits, none of which succeeded. Trump called into a briefing that lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis gave Republican legislators of Arizona, which has been wrongly portrayed as a “hearing”, as he had in Pennsylvania last week. “What they [Democrats] did is, they played game, and games like nobody has ever seen before,” he said on the call. “This is the first time that Republicans or the first time anyone has fought back.” He went on to falsely claim he actually won the swing states that have certified Biden as winner.
Meanwhile, Melania Trump, the first lady, unveiled decorations for what will be the family’s last Christmas at the White House.
“During this special time of the year, I am delighted to share “America the Beautiful” and pay tribute to the majesty of our great Nation. Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home,” she tweeted, along with a video.
In another development, Trump’s controversial special adviser on the coronavirus, Dr Scott Atlas, resigned on Monday. Atlas, who had no formal experience in public health or infectious diseases, had questioned the need for masks and lockdowns.