GSA To Offer Biden Team Access to Transition Resources

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nearly three weeks after the presidential election, the General Services Administration has officially announced it will be offering President-elect Joe Biden the necessary resources to begin the transition.

The current GSA Administrator, Emily Murphy, made the announcement by sending the Biden team an official letter. As the head of the GSA, Murphy has the ability to make post-election resources and services available to assist a presidential transition as outlined in the Presidential Transition Act of 1963.

"I take this role seriously and, because of recent developments involving legal challenges and certifications of election results, am transmitting this letter today to make those resources and services available to you," stated Murphy. "I have dedicated much of my adult life to public service, and I have always strived to do what is right. Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts."

In the letter, Murphy stated she was never pressured by the Trump Administration to provide the funds and resources at a specific time.

"To be clear, I did not receive any direction to delay my determination," said Murphy. "I did, however, receive threats online, by phone, and by mail directed at my safety, my family, my staff, and even my pets in an effort to coerce me into making this determination prematurely. Even in the face of thousands of threats, I always remained committed to upholding the law."

By sending the Letter of Ascertainment the General Services Administration authorizes more than $7 million to the apparent incoming administration to aid in the transition phase.

In addition, to the funds, the Biden team will have access to government office space and have the ability to meet with Trump administration officials to discuss policy issues.

"Today's decision is a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track," said Biden-Harris transition Executive Director Yohannes Abraham in a statement. "This final decision is a definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition process with federal agencies. In the days ahead, transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response, have a full accounting of our national security interests, and gain a complete understanding of the Trump administration's efforts to hollow out government agencies."

President Trump shared the following message to Twitter after the letter became public.