European leaders call Biden, talk of agendas
President-elect Joe Biden spoke with European leaders on Tuesday, the latest sign the incoming administration is proceeding with the transition despite President Donald Trump’s unwillingness to concede the race.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he looks forward to working with Biden on a range of issues, from “climate change, to promoting democracy and building back better from the pandemic.”
Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron about how the two countries could cooperate on climate and health issues, as well as combating terrorism, according to the French president’s office. Macron also expressed interest in coordinating U.S.E.U. responses in Ukraine, Syria and Iran.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with Biden about revitalizing the trans-Atlantic relationship through NATO and the EU, according to Biden’s transition team. Biden also spoke with the leader of Ireland.
World leaders have varied greatly in their decisions to congratulate Biden. Leaders in Brazil, China, Mexico and Russia have waited to offer platitudes, citing ongoing legal disputes.
Fauci says he has ‘no intention of leaving’
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he has “no intention of leaving” his post during a CNN interview Monday night. “This is an important job. I’ve been doing it now for a very long time. I’ve been doing it under six presidents. It’s an important job and my goal is to serve the American public no matter what the administration is,” he said.
Fauci also told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell he hopes to continue working to end the pandemic and that he’s focused on the job at hand when Mitchell asked him about the president’s comments about firing him.
McConnell, Schumer reelected as leaders in Senate
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were reelected to lead their parties in the Senate, allowing the pair at least two more years as the top legislators in the chamber.
The selections by their parties came at the start of a weekslong battle that will determine which party controls the chamber. Two Senate seats in Georgia are up for grabs and Democrats will have to capture both from incumbents in a January runoff to take the majority.
McConnell has served as the top Republican in the chamber since 2006 and Schumer as the top Democrat since 2016.
Embattled Trump to form leadership PAC
While refusing to concede the election, President Donald Trump is forming his own “leadership political action committee,” a move sure to fuel speculation he plans to run for the White House again in 2024.
Aides said the ostensible purpose of the leadership PAC is to stay involved in Republican politics by giving money to local, state and federal candidates who share his views.
“The president always planned to do this, win or lose, so he can support candidates and issues he cares about, such as combating voter fraud,” said Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trump’s current presidential campaign.
The PAC also could be used to keep Trump involved as he considers another presidential run in four years.
Numerous aides have said Trump has mused about a 2024 campaign. Trump is focused on long-shot legal challenges designed to overturn losses in key states such as Pennsylvania and Nevada.