Bureaucrat clears way for Biden transition

The General Services Administration has ascertained that President-elect Joe Biden is the ‘‘apparent winner’’ of the November 3 election, clearing theway for the start of the transition from President Donald Trump’s administration. An official said Administrator Emily Murphy made the determination after Trump efforts to subvert the vote failed across battleground states, most recently in Michigan, which certified Biden’s victory yesterday. The move clears the way for Biden aides to begin co-ordinating with federal agencies on plans for takeover on January 20. Pressure is increasing on President Donald Trump’s administration to authorise a formal transition process for Biden as an increasing number of Republicans, national security experts and business leaders say it is time for that process tomove forward.