Turmoil in States as Trump stays defiant
THE US presidential transition has been thrown into tumult, with Donald Trump blocking government co-operation with Joe Biden’s team and Attorney General William Barr authorising the Justice Department to investigate allegations of electoral fraud.
Some Republicans, including Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, rallied behind Mr Trump’s efforts to fight the election results.
Few in the party acknowledged Joe Biden’s victory, or condemned Mr Trump’s other controversial move – his firing of Defence Secretary Mark Esper. The developments cast doubt on whether the nation would witness the same kind of smooth transition of power that has long anchored its democracy.
The Electoral College is scheduled to formally confirm Mr Biden’s victory on December 14 and the Democrat will be sworn into office in late January. On Monday, Mr Barr authorised the Justice Depart
ment to investigate “substantial” allegations of voter irregularities and election fraud, though no widespread instances of that type of trouble exist. Election officials from both political parties have publicly stated that voting went well. International observers also confirmed there were no serious irregularities.
Biden campaign lawyer Bob Bauer said Mr Barr’s memorandum authorising investigations “will only fuel the ‘specious, speculative, fan
ciful or far-fetched claims’ he professes to guard against”.
Mr Biden pressed forward with plans to build his administration, assembling a team of experts to face the surging pandemic. But the federal agency that needs to greenlight the beginnings of the transition of power held off on taking that step. And the White House moved to crack down on those not deemed sufficiently loyal as Mr Trump continued to refuse to concede the race.
Mr Trump remained out of sight at the White House, with conversations ongoing about how the defeated president would spend the coming days and weeks as he challenged the people’s verdict.
The former reality TV star is not expected to formally concede but is likely to grudgingly vacate the White House at the end of his term, according to several people around him. Also being discussed is the possibility of more campaign-style rallies as Mr Trump tries to keep his supporters fired up despite defeat.
The removal of Mr Esper, the Pentagon chief, was expected by some aides to be the first of several firings by Mr Trump. Others believed to now be vulnerable include FBI director Christopher Wray, CIA head Gina Haspel and infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci.
The president was given cover to keep fighting by Mr McConnell, seen by many Republicans as the person who may eventually need to nudge Mr Trump to the exit.