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{{short description|Joe Biden's ongoing transfer to presidency}} {{short description|Transfer of presidential power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden}}
{{EngvarA|date=December 2020}} {{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{use mdy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox organization {{Infobox United States presidential transition
| name = Presidential transition of Joe Biden | name = Presidential transition of Joe Biden
| logo = File:Biden transition logo.svg | logo = Office of the President-Elect.svg
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| motto = ''Build Back Better'' | motto = ''Build Back Better''
| image = First photo posted to POTUS Biden Administration IG.jpg
| predecessor =
| merged = | caption = Biden giving a speech as President-elect
| date_of_preceding_election = ]
| successor =
| formation = November 7, 2020 | inauguration_date = ]
| dissolved = | transition_start = November 7, 2020
| president-_elect = ] (])
| merger =
| type = | vice_president-_elect = ] (Democrat)
| outgoing_president = ] (])
| tax_id = <!-- or | vat_id = (for European organizations)-->
| outgoing_vice_president = ] (Republican)
| registration_id = <!-- for non-profit org -->
| status =
| purpose = ]
| headquarters = 1401 Constitution Ave NW<br>], U.S. | headquarters = 1401 Constitution Ave NW<br>], U.S.
| owner = <!-- or | owners = --> | leader_title = Co-chairs
| sec_gen = | leader_name = {{plainlist|*] (since September 5, 2020)
*] (since June 20, 2020)
| leader_title = Co-Chairs
| leader_name = ] (since September 5, 2020)<br>] (since June 20, 2020)<br>] (since September 5, 2020)<br>] (since September 5, 2020)<br>] (since September 5, 2020) *] (since September 5, 2020)
*] (since September 5, 2020)
*] (since September 5, 2020)
}}
| leader_title2 = Director of Appointments | leader_title2 = Director of Appointments
| leader_name2 = | leader_name2 =
| board_of_directors = | board_of_directors =
| key_people = ] <br> ]
| main_organ = | main_organ =
| budget = | budget =
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| staff_year = | staff_year =
| website = {{official URL}} | website = {{official URL}}
| slogan = Build Back Better
| mission = | mission =
}} }}
{{Joe Biden series}} {{United States presidential transitions series}}
{{Joe Biden series|expanded=46th president of the United States}}


The '''presidential transition of Joe Biden''' is the ongoing ] of ], the ]. He became the presumptive nominee of the ] for ] in April 2020, and formally accepted the nomination the following August. Biden's transition team, led by ], had already been announced on June 20. Further co-chairs joined the team alongside Kaufman in September. The ] of ] began on November 7, 2020, and ended on January 20, 2021. Unlike previous presidential transitions, which normally take place during the roughly 10-week period between the election in the first week of November and the inauguration on January 20, Biden's presidential transition was shortened somewhat because the ] under the outgoing ] did not recognize Biden as the "apparent winner" until November 23.


The ] took place on November 3. Late that evening, incumbent president ] declared victory based on his initial lead in tabulated in-person votes, a claim which was widely anticipated and quickly discredited. He also demanded all further tabulation of uncounted in-person and mail ballots cease, a demand also ignored. Trump also alleged widespread fraud, corruption and other misconduct, without providing any evidence and which have been almost universally denied. Trump commenced multiple lawsuits in multiple states seeking a halt to counting, rejection of votes, preventing certification of results, besides other remedies, all of which have been dismissed as of November 16.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/trump-lawyers-suffer-embarrassing-rebukes-from-judges-over-voter-fraud-claims-20201112-p56dty.html|title=Trump lawyers suffer embarrassing rebukes from judges over voter fraud claims|first=Aaron|last=Blake|date=November 11, 2020|website=The Age|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116230232/https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/trump-lawyers-suffer-embarrassing-rebukes-from-judges-over-voter-fraud-claims-20201112-p56dty.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 13, for the first time and without any evidence, Trump claimed that 2.7 million votes were "deleted" by the digital voting system used in some states, and said votes were switched from him to Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2020/11/13/trump-election-votes/|title=Trump claims millions of his were 'deleted' by election system|date=November 12, 2020|website=The New Daily|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113074313/https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2020/11/13/trump-election-votes/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/most-secure-in-history-security-agencies-refute-trump-s-election-fraud-claims-20201113-p56edo.html|title='Most secure in history': Security agencies refute Trump's election fraud claims|first=Farrah|last=Tomazin|date=November 13, 2020|website=The Age|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115101723/https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/most-secure-in-history-security-agencies-refute-trump-s-election-fraud-claims-20201113-p56edo.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/17/politics/chris-krebs-fired-by-trump/index.html|title=Trump fires director of Homeland Security agency who had rejected President's election conspiracy theories|author1=Kaitlan Collins|author2=LeBlanc|website=CNN|access-date=November 21, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118003755/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/17/politics/chris-krebs-fired-by-trump/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden became the presumptive nominee of the ] for ] in April 2020, and formally accepted the nomination the following August. Biden's transition team, led by ], had already been announced on June 20. Further co-chairs joined the team alongside Kaufman in September. The ] took place on November 3. That evening, incumbent president ] declared himself the winner, based on his initial lead in tabulated in-person votes a situation which was widely anticipated and quickly discredited as meaningless, since the votes counted at the time were not representative of the final total and it takes several days to count all the votes. Trump ], alleging without evidence that Biden's increasing lead was due to widespread fraud, corruption, and other misconduct. He challenged the results in multiple lawsuits in multiple states, none of which resulted in a substantive victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/trump-lawyers-suffer-embarrassing-rebukes-from-judges-over-voter-fraud-claims-20201112-p56dty.html|title=Trump lawyers suffer embarrassing rebukes from judges over voter fraud claims|first=Aaron|last=Blake|date=November 11, 2020|website=The Age|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116230232/https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/trump-lawyers-suffer-embarrassing-rebukes-from-judges-over-voter-fraud-claims-20201112-p56dty.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2020/11/13/trump-election-votes/|title=Trump claims millions of his were 'deleted' by election system|date=November 12, 2020|website=The New Daily|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113074313/https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2020/11/13/trump-election-votes/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/most-secure-in-history-security-agencies-refute-trump-s-election-fraud-claims-20201113-p56edo.html|title='Most secure in history': Security agencies refute Trump's election fraud claims|first=Farrah|last=Tomazin|date=November 13, 2020|website=The Age|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115101723/https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/most-secure-in-history-security-agencies-refute-trump-s-election-fraud-claims-20201113-p56edo.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/17/politics/chris-krebs-fired-by-trump/index.html|title=Trump fires director of Homeland Security agency who had rejected President's election conspiracy theories|author1=Kaitlan Collins|author2=LeBlanc|website=CNN|date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118003755/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/17/politics/chris-krebs-fired-by-trump/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of Trump's denials, there was a several-week delay before his administration began even limited cooperation with the Biden team.


After three and a half days of vote counting, on November 7, at approximately 11:30&nbsp;a.m. EST, the Associated Press, along with major TV networks including ], ], ], ], and ], called the race for Joe Biden. Since then, most sources have described him as the ]. Nonetheless, ] ], a Trump appointee, waited until November 23 to issue the "ascertainment" letter declaring Biden the "apparent winner"<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Holmes|first1=Kristen|last2=Herb|first2=Jeremy|date=November 23, 2020|title=First on CNN: Key government agency acknowledges Biden's win and begins formal transition|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123232709/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html|archive-date=November 23, 2020|access-date=2020-11-24|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Visser|first=Nick|date=2020-11-23|title=Trump Administration Finally Clears Way For Biden Transition To Begin|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gsa-biden-transition-begin_n_5fbc406ac5b6e4b1ea452d95|access-date=2020-11-24|website=HuffPost|language=en|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124121844/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gsa-biden-transition-begin_n_5fbc406ac5b6e4b1ea452d95|url-status=live}}</ref> on the basis that Trump still disputed the election result. The declaration marked the official start of the transition, and withholding it from the Biden team had denied them $6.3 million, office space, ], and access to agencies.<ref name="washingtonpost1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/biden-camp-calls-for-gsa-to-recognize-election-victory-to-begin-transition-648584|title=Biden camp calls for GSA to recognize victory to begin transition|website=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116114258/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/biden-camp-calls-for-gsa-to-recognize-election-victory-to-begin-transition-648584|url-status=live}}</ref> Separately, Biden was denied daily classified national security briefings<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/biden-to-bring-in-national-security-experts-after-briefings-denied-649056|title=Biden to bring in national security experts after briefings denied|website=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117023758/https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/biden-to-bring-in-national-security-experts-after-briefings-denied-649056|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|date=2020-11-17|title=Biden receives national security briefing from experts outside government as Trump resists transition|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/17/nongovernment-national-security-experts-brief-biden-as-trump-resists-transition.html|access-date=2020-11-24|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123234652/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/17/nongovernment-national-security-experts-brief-biden-as-trump-resists-transition.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Crowley|first1=Michael|last2=Shear|first2=Michael D.|date=2020-11-18|title=Denied Briefings by Trump, Biden Meets With Former National Security Officials|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/us/politics/biden-transition-national-security.html|access-date=2020-11-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124230443/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/us/politics/biden-transition-national-security.html|url-status=live}}</ref> until the Trump administration approved Biden's receiving such briefings as of November 24.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Kaitlan |last2=Cohen |first2=Zachary |title=White House has signed off on Joe Biden getting the President's Daily Brief |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/24/politics/trump-biden-pdb-transition/index.html |access-date=November 26, 2020 |publisher=CNN |date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125192903/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/24/politics/trump-biden-pdb-transition/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After three and a half days of vote counting, on November 7, at approximately 11:30&nbsp;a.m. EST, the ], along with major TV networks including ], ], ], ], and ], called the race for Joe Biden. After that, most sources described him as the president-elect. Nonetheless, ] ], a Trump appointee, waited until November 23 to issue the "ascertainment" letter declaring Biden the "apparent winner"<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Holmes|first1=Kristen|last2=Herb|first2=Jeremy|date=November 23, 2020|title=First on CNN: Key government agency acknowledges Biden's win and begins formal transition|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123232709/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html|archive-date=November 23, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Visser|first=Nick|date=November 23, 2020|title=Trump Administration Finally Clears Way For Biden Transition To Begin|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gsa-biden-transition-begin_n_5fbc406ac5b6e4b1ea452d95|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=HuffPost|language=en|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124121844/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gsa-biden-transition-begin_n_5fbc406ac5b6e4b1ea452d95|url-status=live}}</ref> on the basis that Trump still disputed the election result. The declaration marked the official start of the transition, and withholding it from the Biden team had denied them $6.3 million, office space, ], and access to agencies.<ref name="washingtonpost1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Simon |last2=Reid |first2=Tim |date=2020-11-10 |title=Biden camp calls for GSA to recognize victory so US presidential transition can begin |language=en |work=Reuters |editor-last=Coghill |editor-first=Kim |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-election-transition-biden-idINW1N2HQ0JU |access-date=2023-09-04}}</ref> Separately, Biden was denied ]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Simon |date=2020-11-13 |title=President-elect Biden, denied classified intel briefings, to bring in national security experts |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-election-transition-idUSKBN27T2OM |access-date=2023-09-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|date=November 17, 2020|title=Biden receives national security briefing from experts outside government as Trump resists transition|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/17/nongovernment-national-security-experts-brief-biden-as-trump-resists-transition.html|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123234652/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/17/nongovernment-national-security-experts-brief-biden-as-trump-resists-transition.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Crowley |first1=Michael |author-link=Michael Crowley (journalist) |last2=Shear |first2=Michael D. |author-link2=Michael D. Shear |date=November 18, 2020 |title=Denied Briefings by Trump, Biden Meets With Former National Security Officials |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/us/politics/biden-transition-national-security.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124230443/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/us/politics/biden-transition-national-security.html |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> until the Trump administration approved Biden's receiving such briefings on November 24.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Kaitlan |author-link=Kaitlan Collins |last2=Cohen |first2=Zachary |date=November 25, 2020 |title=White House has signed off on Joe Biden getting the President's Daily Brief |work=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/24/politics/trump-biden-pdb-transition/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125192903/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/24/politics/trump-biden-pdb-transition/index.html |archive-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref>


The ] met on December 14, 2020, to formally elect Biden and ] respectively, as ] and ]. The results were to be ] by a joint session of ] on January 6, 2021, but due to an attempt by Trump supporters to overturn the results by ], the certification was not completed until January 7.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Peñaloza|first=Marisa|date=January 6, 2021|title=Trump Supporters Clash With Capitol Police At Protest |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/congress-electoral-college-tally-live-updates/2021/01/06/953616207/diehard-trump-supporters-gather-in-the-nations-capital-to-protest-election-resul|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106151035/https://www.npr.org/sections/congress-electoral-college-tally-live-updates/2021/01/06/953616207/diehard-trump-supporters-gather-in-the-nations-capital-to-protest-election-resul|archive-date=January 6, 2021|access-date=January 6, 2021|website=]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Amenabar |first1=Teddy |last2=Zauzmer |first2=Julie |last3=Davies |first3=Emily |last4=Brice-Saddler |first4=Michael |last5=Ruane |first5=Michael E. |last6=Chason |first6=Rachel |last7=Tan |first7=Rebecca |last8=Olivo |first8=Antonio |last9=Hermann |first9=Peter |display-authors= |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Live updates: Hundreds storm Capitol barricades; two nearby buildings briefly evacuated; Trump falsely tells thousands he won |language=en |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/01/06/dc-protests-trump-rally-live-updates/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106194011/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/01/06/dc-protests-trump-rally-live-updates/ |archive-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hooks |first1=Kris |last2=Rodd |first2=Scott |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Trump Supporters, Proud Boys Converge On California's Capitol To Protest Electoral College Count |url=https://www.capradio.org/161107 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106222929/https://www.capradio.org/161107 |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |website=CapRadio}}</ref> Biden's transition ended when he was ] on January 20, 2021, at which point ] began.
The ] met on December 14, 2020, and formally elected the president and ]. The results will then be certified by a joint session of ] on January 6, 2021. Biden's transition will end when he is ] at 12:00&nbsp;p.m. EST on January 20, 2021, at which point ] will begin.


== Background issues == == Background issues ==
{{Main|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election#Refusal to accept 2020 electoral loss}}
=== Emily Murphy's refusal to initiate the transition ===
<!-- There should be a couple paragraphs here that summarize the articles above. This is a MoS requirement. -->
{{main|Emily W. Murphy#2020 presidential transition|Attempt to dispute the apparent results of the 2020 United States Presidential Election}}
{{see|Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election|Stop the Steal|Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud}}
] ] had refused to initiate the transition.]]


===Preparations for potential disputed election===
After ] became generally acknowledged on November 7, 2020, as ] in the ],<ref>{{cite news|first=Jennifer|last=Epstein|title=Biden Transition Team Calls on Federal Agency to Declare Winner|date=November 10, 2020|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-10/biden-transition-team-calls-on-federal-agency-to-declare-winner|accessdate=November 18, 2020|quote=Biden was declared the winner by media organizations after securing enough electoral votes.|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118021042/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-10/biden-transition-team-calls-on-federal-agency-to-declare-winner|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Zack|last=Budryk|title=Biden campaign pushes GSA chief to approve transition|date=November 9, 2020|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/525083-biden-campaign-pushes-gsa-chief-to-approve-transition|accessdate=November 18, 2020|quote=Major media outlets projected Biden as the president-elect Saturday.|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119023751/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/525083-biden-campaign-pushes-gsa-chief-to-approve-transition|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Bess|last=Levin|title=THE TRUMP APPOINTEE BLOCKING BIDEN'S TRANSITION IS REPORTEDLY TRYING TO LINE UP A NEW JOB FOR 2021|date=November 16, 2020|work=Vanity Fair|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/11/emily-murphy-joe-biden-transition|accessdate=November 18, 2020|quote=But 13 days after the 2020 election and more than a week after all major media outlets called the race for Joe Biden, with Trump having absolutely no chance of getting a second term, Murphy has refused to acknowledge that Biden won, making it that much more difficult for the president-elect and his team to get a head start on crucial matters like a pandemic that has killed more than 245,000 people in the U.S. so far and stands to kill a lot more if no one does anything about it until January 2021.|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117185415/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/11/emily-murphy-joe-biden-transition|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Robin|last=Young|title=In Unprecedented Move, Key Federal Agency Hesitates On Declaring Biden Winner|date=November 9, 2020|website=WBUG.org|url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/11/09/biden-trump-transition-of-power|accessdate=November 18, 2020|quote=The answer is no, and I think you rightly note that this is different than what occurred in 2000 , there is a consensus certainly on the media side and with the states that are at play.|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109204014/https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/11/09/biden-trump-transition-of-power|url-status=live}}</ref> ] head ] refused to initiate the transition to the President-elect, thereby denying funds and office space to his team.<ref name="washingtonpost1">{{Cite news|last1=Rein|first1=Lisa|last2=O'Connell|first2=Jonathan|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh|title=A little-known Trump appointee is in charge of handing transition resources to Biden — and she isn't budging|language=en-US|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html|access-date=November 9, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109100819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |title=Alarm grows over Trump administration acting 'more akin to a dictatorship' as he denies election defeat |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-transition/index.html |website=CNN |publisher=CNN |accessdate=November 11, 2020 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111055831/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-transition/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{see also|Big lie#Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen election|Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election}}
As early as the summer of 2020, President Donald Trump began questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election, saying that the increase of ] compared to previous elections will lead to a "rigged election".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Calvin |date=July 30, 2020 |title=AP FACT CHECK: Trump's view of flawed voting is baseless |url=https://apnews.com/article/3f6b2adcf0b66066195f307e18173b6f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205135/https://apnews.com/3f6b2adcf0b66066195f307e18173b6f |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=AP NEWS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/22/politics/trump-voter-fraud-lies-fact-check/index.html|title=Trump spreads new lies about foreign-backed voter fraud, stoking fears of a 'rigged election' this November|first=Marshall|last=Cohen|website=CNN|date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025230108/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/22/politics/trump-voter-fraud-lies-fact-check/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For this reason, many pundits and editorial writers would insist that Biden would need to win by a ] to prevent Trump from challenging the result.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freedland |first=Jonathan |date=July 17, 2020 |title=Trump will cling to power. To get him out, Biden will have to win big &#124; Jonathan Freedland |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/17/trump-biden-win-democrat-landslide |url-status=live |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029003347/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/17/trump-biden-win-democrat-landslide |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |via=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bruni |first=Frank |author-link=Frank Bruni |date=August 22, 2020 |title=Opinion &#124; Why Biden Needs a Landslide Just to Win |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/22/opinion/sunday/trump-cheat-biden-2020.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028210928/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/22/opinion/sunday/trump-cheat-biden-2020.html |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref name="politico">{{cite news |last=Graff |first=Garrett M. |author-link=Garrett Graff |date=October 23, 2020 |title=A Day-By-Day Guide to What Could Happen If This Election Goes Bad |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/election-nightmares-guide-430915 |url-status=live |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023144955/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/election-nightmares-guide-430915 |archive-date=October 23, 2020}}</ref> Trump's preemptive accusations of fraud led some people to consider what would happen if he should lose by a margin less than a landslide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2020/08/11/trump-november-2020-election/|title=What If Trump Won't Leave?|first1=Frances Fox|last1=Piven|first2=Deepak|last2=Bhargava|date=August 11, 2020|website=The Intercept|access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031145332/https://theintercept.com/2020/08/11/trump-november-2020-election/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gellman |first=Barton |author-link=Barton Gellman |date=September 23, 2020 |title=The Election That Could Break America |url=https://medium.com/the-atlantic/the-election-that-could-break-america-ebf4eb3f5b2f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205302/https://medium.com/the-atlantic/the-election-that-could-break-america-ebf4eb3f5b2f |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |work=The Atlantic}}</ref> At various points, Trump had called for his ], ], to investigate Biden and his son ], with Trump frequently insisting that his opponent should be in prison.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-william-barr-elections-20fd56b64801dd83b1657c630a1ebdfa|work=AP News|date=October 21, 2020|access-date=October 28, 2020|title=Trump ups pressure on Barr to probe Bidens as election nears|first1=Aamer|last1=Madhani|first2=Colleen|last2=Long|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026131331/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-william-barr-elections-20fd56b64801dd83b1657c630a1ebdfa|url-status=live}}</ref>


], who worked in the ] during the ], co-founded the ] (TIP), which in June 2020 ran a series of "wargaming" exercises to explore potential election and transition scenarios. In August 2020, TIP released a widely discussed that outlined four 2020 election crisis scenario planning exercises for the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brynen |first=Rex |date=August 4, 2020 |title=Transition Integrity Project: Preventing a disrupted presidential election and transition |url=https://paxsims.wordpress.com/2020/08/04/transition-integrity-project-preventing-a-disrupted-presidential-election-and-transition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101052816/https://paxsims.wordpress.com/2020/08/04/transition-integrity-project-preventing-a-disrupted-presidential-election-and-transition/ |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |access-date=August 9, 2020 |website=PAXsims |language=en}}</ref> The scenarios examined by TIP included a decisive Biden win, a decisive Trump win, a narrow Biden win, and a period of extended uncertainty after the election.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Experts Game Out What Might Happen If The Election Goes Off The Rails|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/897345056/experts-game-out-what-might-happen-if-the-election-goes-off-the-rails|access-date=August 9, 2020|website=NPR.org|language=en|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205011/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/897345056/experts-game-out-what-might-happen-if-the-election-goes-off-the-rails|url-status=live}}</ref> Other academics, such as Lawrence Douglas in his book ''Will He Go?: Trump and the Looming Election Meltdown in 2020'', have also discussed the possibility, which later turned out to be true, of Trump refusing to concede if he lost.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Illing|first=Sean|date=June 3, 2020|title=Will he go?|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/6/3/21257133/trump-2020-election-meltdown-lawrence-douglas|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Vox|language=en|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225055823/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/6/3/21257133/trump-2020-election-meltdown-lawrence-douglas|url-status=live}}</ref>
Murphy refused to sign a letter (the "ascertainment" determination) allowing Biden's transition team to formally begin work to facilitate an ]. By refusing to allow the Biden administration transition to proceed, she prevented the incoming administration from obtaining office space, performing background checks on prospective Cabinet nominees, and accessing classified information which might be needed to respond to emergencies that the administration confronts when in office. Murphy's withholding of the letter also blocked ] Biden's transition team from accessing several million dollars in federal transition funds for salaries and other costs, establishing government email addresses, and working with the ] on required financial disclosure and conflict-of-interest forms for incoming nominees.
Amid public speculation that her refusal might jeopardize national security and public health, Murphy began a job search for herself, inquiring about employment opportunities in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gsa-official-blocking-bidens-transition-privately-plans-post/story?id=74234794|title=GSA official blocking Biden's transition appears to privately plan post-Trump career|website=ABC News|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117040402/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gsa-official-blocking-bidens-transition-privately-plans-post/story?id=74234794|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-official-emily-murphy-blocking-biden-transition-looks-for-new-job-2020-11 |title=Trump official Emily Murphy blocking Biden transition looks for new job |publisher=Business Insider |date=March 13, 2019 |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116223402/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-official-emily-murphy-blocking-biden-transition-looks-for-new-job-2020-11 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-17/donald-trump-tweet-about-emily-murphy-and-gsa-us-election-role/12886956 |title=Why Donald Trump's tweet about Emily Murphy, head of the GSA, matters in the US election - ABC News |publisher=Abc.net.au |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116201717/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-17/donald-trump-tweet-about-emily-murphy-and-gsa-us-election-role/12886956 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://keystonenewsroom.com/story/national-security-trump-transition/ |title=National Security Officials Are Sounding the Alarm About Trump's Refusal to Concede |publisher=Keystonenewsroom.com |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015358/https://keystonenewsroom.com/story/national-security-trump-transition/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Per the ], the vice president must count the electoral votes in front of Congress's joint session on January 6, 2021. This is governed by the ], passed to prevent crises such as that in ], and while provisions have been used, the act has never been truly put to the test.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Ted |date=January 6, 2005 |title=Democrats challenge Ohio electoral votes |url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote.1718/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511205354/http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote.1718/ |archive-date=May 11, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=CNN}}</ref> The Biden legal team had prepared for this, drafting basic responses to each of the possible litigations gamed out by the TIP and others.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldmacher |first=Shane |date=September 14, 2020 |title=Biden Creates Legal War Room, Preparing for a Big Fight Over Voting |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/14/us/politics/biden-legal-challenges-trump.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106062959/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/14/us/politics/biden-legal-challenges-trump.html |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |via=}}</ref> The only one of the more than sixty cases which had not been dismissed out of hand was about late-arriving mail-in ballots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/06/election-recounts-lawsuits-trump-biden-pennsylvania-wisconsin/6184226002/|title=Election challenges live updates: Pennsylvania officials must separate ballots that arrived after Election Day|author1=Donovan Slack|author2=Joel Shannon|website=USA TODAY|access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208065951/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/06/election-recounts-lawsuits-trump-biden-pennsylvania-wisconsin/6184226002/|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Reactions====
On November 8, the nonpartisan Center for Presidential Transition issued a statement saying "We urge the Trump administration to immediately begin the post-election transition process and the Biden team to take full advantage of the resources available under the ]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-appointee-slow-walks-biden-transition-could-delay-president-elect-n1247152|title=Trump appointee slow-walks Biden transition. That could delay the president-elect's Covid-19 plan.|last1=Smith|first1=Allan|last2=Przybyla|first2=Heide|date=November 9, 2020|work=NBC News|accessdate=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114173107/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-appointee-slow-walks-biden-transition-could-delay-president-elect-n1247152|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Wolfe|first=Jan|date=November 9, 2020|title=Explainer: How and when will Trump leave office?|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-eviction-explainer-idUSKBN27P19X|access-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> The letter was signed by several experts in presidential transitions: ], President ]'s former chief of staff; ], former governor of Utah and Bush's Secretary of Health and Human Services; ], Bill Clinton's former chief of staff; and ], Barack Obama's Secretary of Commerce.<ref name=":2" />


=== Delays in initiating the transition ===
], the first White House chief of staff under George W. Bush, expressed concern about the delay, noting that "the 9/11 Commission had said if there had been a longer transition and there had been cooperation, there might have been a better response, or maybe not even any attack".<ref>{{cite web |author=Emily DeCiccio |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/11/former-bush-chief-of-staff-cites-9/11-warns-about-slow-transition.html |title=Former Bush chief of staff cites 9/11, warns about slow transition |publisher=Cnbc.com |date=November 11, 2020 |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035402/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/11/former-bush-chief-of-staff-cites-9/11-warns-about-slow-transition.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Four former Secretaries of Homeland Security, ], ], ], and ], called upon Murphy to initiate the transition, writing in a joint statement: "Our country is in the middle of twin crises: a global pandemic and a severe economic downturn. The pandemic will make any transition more complicated. At this period of heightened risk for our nation, we do not have a single day to spare to begin the transition. For the good of the nation, we must start now."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2020/11/13/the-presidential-transition-meets-murphys-law/ |title=The Presidential Transition Meets Murphy's Law &#124; by Walter M. Shaub Jr. &#124; The New York Review of Books |publisher=Nybooks.com |date=July 2, 2020 |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114222431/https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2020/11/13/the-presidential-transition-meets-murphys-law/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/live-blog/2020-11-11-biden-harris-transition-n1247340/ncrd1247458 |title=Ex-Bush, Obama Homeland Security chiefs call on Trump admin to begin transition |publisher=Nbcnews.com |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117221329/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/live-blog/2020-11-11-biden-harris-transition-n1247340/ncrd1247458 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Main|Emily W. Murphy#2020 presidential transition}}


] ] withheld transition resources until November 23.]]
], the government's leading infectious disease expert, warned the delay was "obviously not good" from a public health perspective, while President-elect Biden argued "more people may die" as a result of the delay.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/fauci-says-delayed-transition-public-health-issue-covid-19-cases-n1247863 |title=Fauci says delayed transition is a public health issue as Covid-19 cases soar |publisher=Nbcnews.com |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117050209/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/fauci-says-delayed-transition-public-health-issue-covid-19-cases-n1247863 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/16/us/joe-biden-trump |title=Highlights of President-Elect Joe Biden's Transition: November 16, 2020 - The New York Times |work=Nytimes.com |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117010139/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/16/us/joe-biden-trump |url-status=live }}</ref>


Though Joe Biden was generally acknowledged as ] in the election on November 7, 2020,<ref>{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Epstein |title=Biden Transition Team Calls on Federal Agency to Declare Winner|date=November 10, 2020 |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-10/biden-transition-team-calls-on-federal-agency-to-declare-winner|access-date=November 18, 2020|quote=Biden was declared the winner by media organizations after securing enough electoral votes.|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118021042/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-10/biden-transition-team-calls-on-federal-agency-to-declare-winner|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Zack|last=Budryk|title=Biden campaign pushes GSA chief to approve transition|date=November 9, 2020|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/525083-biden-campaign-pushes-gsa-chief-to-approve-transition|access-date=November 18, 2020|quote=Major media outlets projected Biden as the president-elect Saturday.|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119023751/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/525083-biden-campaign-pushes-gsa-chief-to-approve-transition|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Levin |first=Bess |date=November 16, 2020 |title=The Trump Appointee Blocking Biden's Transition Is Reportedly Trying to Line Up a New Job for 2021 |magazine=Vanity Fair |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/11/emily-murphy-joe-biden-transition |url-status=live |access-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117185415/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/11/emily-murphy-joe-biden-transition |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |quote=But 13 days after the 2020 election and more than a week after all major media outlets called the race for Joe Biden, with Trump having absolutely no chance of getting a second term, Murphy has refused to acknowledge that Biden won, making it that much more difficult for the president-elect and his team to get a head start on crucial matters like a pandemic that has killed more than 245,000 people in the U.S. so far and stands to kill a lot more if no one does anything about it until January 2021.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Robin|last=Young|title=In Unprecedented Move, Key Federal Agency Hesitates On Declaring Biden Winner|date=November 9, 2020|website=WBUG.org|url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/11/09/biden-trump-transition-of-power|access-date=November 18, 2020|quote=The answer is no, and I think you rightly note that this is different than what occurred in 2000 , there is a consensus certainly on the media side and with the states that are at play.|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109204014/https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/11/09/biden-trump-transition-of-power|url-status=live}}</ref> ] head ] refused to initiate the transition to the president-elect, thereby denying funds and office space to his team.<ref name="washingtonpost1">{{Cite news |last1=Rein|first1=Lisa|last2=O'Connell|first2=Jonathan|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh|title=A little-known Trump appointee is in charge of handing transition resources to Biden — and she isn't budging|language=en-US|newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html|access-date=November 9, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109100819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Alarm grows over Trump administration acting 'more akin to a dictatorship' as he denies election defeat |website=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-transition/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111055831/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-transition/index.html |archive-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref>
The Trump administration's attempt to undermine the election result, including Murphy's refusal to cooperate in the transition, has been described as an attempted ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-uses-power-of-presidency-to-try-to-overturn-the-election-and-stay-in-office/2020/11/19/bc89caa6-2a9f-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html|date=2020-11-19|title=Trump uses power of presidency to try to overturn the election and stay in office|first1=Philip|last1=Rucker|first2=Amy|last2=Gardner|first3=Josh|last3=Dawsey|work=The Washington Post|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121192754/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-uses-power-of-presidency-to-try-to-overturn-the-election-and-stay-in-office/2020/11/19/bc89caa6-2a9f-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-coup-might-not-work-but-he-may-pave-the-way-for-the-next-failed-candidate/2020/11/18/418ca536-29d6-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html |author=Editorial Board |date=2020-11-18 |title=Trump's coup might not work. But he may pave the way for the next failed candidate. |work=The Washington Post |access-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124075903/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-coup-might-not-work-but-he-may-pave-the-way-for-the-next-failed-candidate/2020/11/18/418ca536-29d6-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/11/trump-election-coup-lindsey-graham-ron-desantis-fraud-vote.html|title=A Disturbing Number of Republicans Support Trump's Coup Attempt|first=Jonathan|last=Chait|date=November 17, 2020|website=Intelligencer|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121193900/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/11/trump-election-coup-lindsey-graham-ron-desantis-fraud-vote.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/20/as-donald-trump-refuses-to-concede-the-etymology-of-coup|title=As Donald Trump refuses to concede: the etymology of 'coup'|first=Steven|last=Poole|date=November 20, 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122144113/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/20/as-donald-trump-refuses-to-concede-the-etymology-of-coup|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://verdict.justia.com/2020/11/19/yes-trump-is-still-engaged-in-an-attempted-coup-and-yes-it-might-lead-to-a-constitutional-crisis-and-a-breaking-point|date=2020-11-19|title=Yes, Trump Is (Still) Engaged in an Attempted Coup; and Yes, It Might Lead to a Constitutional Crisis and a Breaking Point|first=Neil H.|last=Buchanan|website=verdict.justia.com|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122083737/https://verdict.justia.com/2020/11/19/yes-trump-is-still-engaged-in-an-attempted-coup-and-yes-it-might-lead-to-a-constitutional-crisis-and-a-breaking-point|url-status=live}}</ref>


Murphy refused to sign a letter (the "ascertainment" determination) allowing Biden's transition team to formally begin work to facilitate an ]. By refusing to allow the Biden administration transition to proceed, she prevented the incoming administration from obtaining office space, performing background checks on prospective Cabinet nominees, and accessing classified information which might be needed to respond to emergencies that the administration confronts when in office. Murphy's withholding of the letter also blocked President-elect Biden's transition team from accessing several million dollars in federal transition funds for salaries and other costs, establishing government email addresses, and working with the ] on required financial disclosure and conflict-of-interest forms for incoming nominees.
==Transition procedures==
Amid public speculation that her refusal might jeopardize national security and public health, Murphy began a job search for herself, inquiring about employment opportunities in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Faulders |first1=Katherine |last2=Flaherty |first2=Anne |last3=Siegel |first3=Benjamin |date=November 17, 2020 |title=GSA official blocking Biden's transition appears to privately plan post-Trump career |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gsa-official-blocking-bidens-transition-privately-plans-post/story?id=74234794 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117040402/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gsa-official-blocking-bidens-transition-privately-plans-post/story?id=74234794 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Seddiq |first=Oma |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Trump official Emily Murphy blocking Biden transition looks for new job |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-official-emily-murphy-blocking-biden-transition-looks-for-new-job-2020-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116223402/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-official-emily-murphy-blocking-biden-transition-looks-for-new-job-2020-11 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=Business Insider |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Why Donald Trump's tweet about Emily Murphy, head of the GSA, matters in the US election |newspaper=ABC News |publisher=Abc.net.au |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-17/donald-trump-tweet-about-emily-murphy-and-gsa-us-election-role/12886956 |url-status=live |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116201717/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-17/donald-trump-tweet-about-emily-murphy-and-gsa-us-election-role/12886956 |archive-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref>
]
{{Main|United States presidential transition}}


On November 8, the nonpartisan Center for Presidential Transition issued a statement saying "We urge the Trump administration to immediately begin the post-election transition process and the Biden team to take full advantage of the resources available under the ]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-appointee-slow-walks-biden-transition-could-delay-president-elect-n1247152|title=Trump appointee slow-walks Biden transition. That could delay the president-elect's Covid-19 plan.|last1=Smith|first1=Allan|last2=Przybyla|first2=Heide|date=November 9, 2020|work=NBC News|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114173107/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-appointee-slow-walks-biden-transition-could-delay-president-elect-n1247152|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Wolfe|first=Jan|date=November 9, 2020|title=Explainer: How and when will Trump leave office?|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-eviction-explainer-idUSKBN27P19X|access-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> The letter was signed by several experts in presidential transitions: ], President ]'s former chief of staff; ], former governor of Utah and Bush's Secretary of Health and Human Services; ], Bill Clinton's former chief of staff; and ], Barack Obama's Secretary of Commerce.<ref name=":2" />
In accordance with the ], potential presidential transition teams are provided office space by the ] (GSA). They are also eligible for government funding for staff; spending on Mitt Romney's transition team in 2012 was $8.9 million, all funds appropriated by the ]. In order for the Biden transition team to formally begin working with federal agencies, access federal transition funds, and utilize government provided office space, Biden had to be formally certified as president-elect by the administrator of the General Services Administration. After the media projected Biden to win the election, and as Trump was refusing to concede, the current GSA administrator, Trump appointee ], refused to sign a letter of authorization. She argued that she has seen no certification outside of the media that Biden has won, and was under no obligation to treat Biden as president-elect.<ref>Lisa Rein, Jonathan O'Connell & Josh Dawsey, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109100819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html |date=November 9, 2020 }}, ''Washington Post'' (November 8, 2020).</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Philip |title=Why Donald Trump's Refusal to Give Biden Keys to Office Space Matters |url=https://time.com/5909532/donald-trump-joe-biden-administration-transition/ |website=Time |accessdate=November 9, 2020 |date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109191654/https://time.com/5909532/donald-trump-joe-biden-administration-transition/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


], the first White House chief of staff under George W. Bush, expressed concern about the delay, noting that "the 9/11 Commission had said if there had been a longer transition and there had been cooperation, there might have been a better response, or maybe not even any attack".<ref>{{cite web |author=DeCiccio |first=Emily |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Former Bush chief of staff cites 9/11, warns about slow transition |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/11/former-bush-chief-of-staff-cites-9/11-warns-about-slow-transition.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035402/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/11/former-bush-chief-of-staff-cites-9/11-warns-about-slow-transition.html |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=CNBC |publisher=}}</ref> Four former Secretaries of Homeland Security, ], ], ], and ], called upon Murphy to initiate the transition, writing in a joint statement: "Our country is in the middle of twin crises: a global pandemic and a severe economic downturn. The pandemic will make any transition more complicated. At this period of heightened risk for our nation, we do not have a single day to spare to begin the transition. For the good of the nation, we must start now."<ref>{{cite web |last=Shaub |first=Walter Michael Jr |author-link=Walter Shaub |date=July 2, 2020 |title=The Presidential Transition Meets Murphy's Law |url=https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2020/11/13/the-presidential-transition-meets-murphys-law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114222431/https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2020/11/13/the-presidential-transition-meets-murphys-law/ |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=The New York Review of Books |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gregorian |first=Dareh |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Ex-Bush, Obama Homeland Security chiefs call on Trump admin to begin transition |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/live-blog/2020-11-11-biden-harris-transition-n1247340/ncrd1247458 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117221329/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/live-blog/2020-11-11-biden-harris-transition-n1247340/ncrd1247458 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=NBC News |publisher=}}</ref>
Key responsibilities of a presidential transition include the identification and vetting of candidates for approximately 4,000 non-civil service positions in the U.S. government who serve at the pleasure of the president; arranging the occupancy of executive residences including the ], ], and ]; liaising with the ] for receipt of the ]; and briefing ] about a new administration's policy priorities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Help Wanted: 4,000 Presidential Appointees|url=http://presidentialtransition.org/blog/posts/160316_help-wanted-4000-appointees.php|website=Center for Presidential Transition|publisher=Partnership for Public Service|access-date=December 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112205457/http://presidentialtransition.org/blog/posts/160316_help-wanted-4000-appointees.php|archive-date=January 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>


], the government's leading infectious disease expert, warned the delay was "obviously not good" from a public health perspective, while President-elect Biden argued "more people may die" as a result of the delay.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Allan |date=November 15, 2020 |title=Fauci says delayed transition is a public health issue as Covid-19 cases soar |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/fauci-says-delayed-transition-public-health-issue-covid-19-cases-n1247863 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117050209/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/fauci-says-delayed-transition-public-health-issue-covid-19-cases-n1247863 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=NBC News |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |author-link=Michael D. Shear |last2=Glueck |first2=Katie |last3=Verma |first3=Pranshu |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Highlights of President-Elect Joe Biden's Transition: November 16, 2020 - The New York Times |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/16/us/joe-biden-trump |url-status=live |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117010139/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/16/us/joe-biden-trump |archive-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref>
Under existing federal law and custom, Biden became eligible to receive classified national security briefings when his nomination was formalized at the ] in August 2020.


On November 23, after Michigan certified its results, Murphy issued the letter of ascertainment, granting the Biden transition team access to federal funds and resources for an orderly transition.<ref name="JALONICK">{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Matthew |last2=Jalonick |first2=Mary Clare |title=GSA ascertains Joe Biden is 'apparent winner' of election, clears way for the transition from Trump administration to formally begin |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/ct-gsa-joe-biden-transition-20201123-fqs77zryxzac5lysm2wscrmpiy-story.html |work=] |date=November 23, 2020 |access-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123232731/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/ct-gsa-joe-biden-transition-20201123-fqs77zryxzac5lysm2wscrmpiy-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Breaking with recent precedent, the letter did not call Biden "president-elect", instead fulfilling her requirements under the Act without implying that he won the election.<ref name=":5">{{cite news|last1=Jankowicz|first1=Mia|date=November 24, 2020|title=The letter enabling Biden's transition goes to extreme lengths to avoid saying he beat Trump and won the election|work=]|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-transition-letter-wont-admit-beat-trump-in-the-election-2020-11|url-status=live|access-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125214039/https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-transition-letter-wont-admit-beat-trump-in-the-election-2020-11|archive-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In the letter Murphy called the Act "vague", recommended Congress "consider amendments to the Act" to improve the standard it sets for post-election allocation of resources, and described threats she had allegedly received pressuring her to act.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last1=Rein |first1=Lisa |date=November 23, 2020 |title=Under pressure, Trump appointee Emily Murphy approves transition in unusually personal letter to Biden |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gsa-emily-murphy-transition-biden/2020/11/23/c0f43e84-2de0-11eb-96c2-aac3f162215d_story.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125212742/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gsa-emily-murphy-transition-biden/2020/11/23/c0f43e84-2de0-11eb-96c2-aac3f162215d_story.html |archive-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref>
The Presidential Transition Act was amended in 2019 to require the incumbent president to establish "transition councils" by June of an election year to facilitate a possible handover of power.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/05/trump-administration-details-efforts-support-peaceful-presidential-transition/165443/|title=Trump Administration Details Efforts to Support Peaceful Presidential Transition|website=Government Executive |access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024185020/https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/05/trump-administration-details-efforts-support-peaceful-presidential-transition/165443/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://presidentialtransition.org/|title=Center for Presidential Transition |first=Center for Presidential|last=Transition|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025230721/https://presidentialtransition.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Timeline == == Timeline ==
Line 91: Line 82:
Meetings between the transition team and the administration began with the formation of two councils in May 2020,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-team-prepares-for-potentially-bumpy-transition-11603359002|title=Biden Team Prepares for Potentially Bumpy Transition|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 22, 2020|first1=Andrew|last1=Restuccia|first2=Eliza|last2=Collins|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022122733/https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-team-prepares-for-potentially-bumpy-transition-11603359002|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> around the time the former vice president had clinched the Democratic nomination. Meetings between the transition team and the administration began with the formation of two councils in May 2020,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-team-prepares-for-potentially-bumpy-transition-11603359002|title=Biden Team Prepares for Potentially Bumpy Transition|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 22, 2020|first1=Andrew|last1=Restuccia|first2=Eliza|last2=Collins|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022122733/https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-team-prepares-for-potentially-bumpy-transition-11603359002|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> around the time the former vice president had clinched the Democratic nomination.


*April 8, 2020: Biden becomes the presumptive nominee after ] withdraws.<ref>{{cite news|last=|first=|date=April 16, 2020|title=Bernie Sanders Drops Out of 2020 Democratic Race for President|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/politics/bernie-sanders-drops-out.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408160232/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/politics/bernie-sanders-drops-out.html|archive-date=April 8, 2020|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=]}}</ref> *April 8, 2020: Biden becomes the presumptive nominee after ] withdraws.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ember |first=Sydney |date=April 16, 2020 |title=Bernie Sanders Drops Out of 2020 Democratic Race for President |website=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/politics/bernie-sanders-drops-out.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408160232/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/politics/bernie-sanders-drops-out.html |archive-date=April 8, 2020}}</ref>
*June 20, 2020: Initial transition team announced.<ref name=cnn>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html|date=June 20, 2020|first=Eric|last=Bradner|publisher=CNN|title=Biden expands transition team, adding key campaign allies and top Obama-Biden policy hands|accessdate=October 25, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026034703/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> *June 20, 2020: Initial transition team announced.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |last=Bradner |first=Eric |date=June 20, 2020 |title=Biden expands transition team, adding key campaign allies and top Obama-Biden policy hands |work=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026034703/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html |archive-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref>
*August 2020: Biden and California Senator ] are nominated at the Democratic Convention. *August 2020: Biden and California Senator ] are nominated at the Democratic Convention.
*September 5, 2020: Full transition team is made public.<ref name=cnn/> *September 5, 2020: Full transition team is made public.<ref name=cnn/>
*November 1, 2020: Deadline for transition materials to be completed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/trump-cant-single-handedly-wreck-transition/616876/|title=The Transition Is Already Happening (And It's Going Fine So Far)|first=Kate Shaw, Michael Eric|last=Herz|date=October 28, 2020|website=The Atlantic|access-date=October 28, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028155128/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/trump-cant-single-handedly-wreck-transition/616876/|url-status=live}}</ref> *November 1, 2020: Deadline for transition materials to be completed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Herz |first1=Michael Eric |last2=Shaw |first2=Kate |author-link2=Kate A. Shaw |date=October 28, 2020 |title=The Transition Is Already Happening (And It's Going Fine So Far) |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/trump-cant-single-handedly-wreck-transition/616876/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028155128/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/trump-cant-single-handedly-wreck-transition/616876/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2020 |website=The Atlantic}}</ref>
*November 3, 2020: Election Day *November 3, 2020: Election Day


=== Post-election=== === Post-election===
*November 4: The transition website, buildbackbetter.com, goes live.<ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Namita |date=November 5, 2020 |title=US Election: Biden launches transition website |website=] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/biden-us-election-2020-trump-b1611918.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116022159/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/biden-us-election-2020-trump-b1611918.html |archive-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref>
]
*November 7: Election is called for Biden.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 7, 2020|title=Time for US to unite, President-elect Biden says|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2020-54836636|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114173122/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54836636|archive-date=November 14, 2020|access-date=November 15, 2020|website=]}}</ref>

*November 8: GSA Administrator Emily Murphy refuses to sign a letter declaring the official start of the transition, denying funds and office space to the Biden team.<ref name="washingtonpost1"/>
*November 4: The transition website, buildbackbetter.com, goes live.<ref>{{cite news|last=|first=|date=November 5, 2020|title=US Election: Biden launches transition website|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/biden-us-election-2020-trump-b1611918.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116022159/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/biden-us-election-2020-trump-b1611918.html|archive-date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=]}}</ref>
*November 7: Election is called for Biden.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=November 7, 2020|title=Time for US to unite, President-elect Biden says|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2020-54836636|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114173122/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54836636|archive-date=November 14, 2020|access-date=November 15, 2020|website=]}}</ref> *November 10: Transition Co-chair ] announces full transition team of at least 500 people.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barrett |first=Ted |date=January 6, 2005 |title=Bush carries Electoral College after delay |website=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111143156/https://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/ |archive-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref>
*November 23: Emily Murphy signs the transition letter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holmes |first1=Kristen |last2=Herb |first2=Jeremy |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Key government agency acknowledges Biden's win and begins formal transition |website=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124005147/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html |archive-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> The transition website changed its web address from buildbackbetter.com to buildbackbetter.gov
*November 8: GSA Administrator ] refuses to sign a letter declaring the official start of the transition, denying funds and office space to the Biden team.<ref name="washingtonpost1"/>
*November 10: Transition Co-Chair ] announces full transition team of at least 500 people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/|title=CNN.com - Bush carries Electoral College after delay - Jan 6, 2005|website=www.cnn.com|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111143156/https://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*November 23: Emily Murphy signs the transition letter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html/|title=CNN.com - Key government agency acknowledges Biden's win and begins formal transition|website=wwww.cnn.com|access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124005147/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The transition website changed its web address from buildbackbetter.com to buildbackbetter.gov
*December 9: Election results in every state and D.C. are certified. *December 9: Election results in every state and D.C. are certified.
*December 11: Supreme Court rejects '']'' challenge, mooting all others. *December 11: Supreme Court rejects '']'' challenge, mooting all others.
*December 14: The Electoral College formally elects Biden as president and Harris as vice president. *December 14: The Electoral College formally elects Biden as president and Harris as vice president.
*December 18: The Acting Secretary of Defense surprises the Biden transition team with a "mutually agreed to" suspension of contacts until January.
*January 6, 2021: Congress counts Electoral College votes
*January 6, 2021: Congress ]; interrupted by the ].
*January 7, 2021: Congress completes ] and officially confirms the election results.
*January 13, 2021: President Trump is ] for the second time.
*January 20, 2021: ] *January 20, 2021: ]

==Transition procedures==
{{Main|United States presidential transition}}
In accordance with the ], potential presidential transition teams are provided office space by the ] (GSA). They are also eligible for government funding for staff; spending on Mitt Romney's transition team in 2012 was $8.9 million, all funds appropriated by the ]. In order for the Biden transition team to formally begin working with federal agencies, access federal transition funds, and utilize government-provided office space, Biden had to be formally certified as president-elect by the administrator of the General Services Administration. After the media projected Biden to win the election, and as Trump refused to concede, the current GSA administrator, Trump appointee Emily W. Murphy, refused to sign a letter of authorization. She argued that she had seen no certification outside of the media that Biden has won, and was under no obligation to treat Biden as president-elect.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4000/lisa|title=Revue LISA / LISA e-journal|publisher=OpenEdition|doi=10.4000/lisa|s2cid=244471700}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Philip |title=Why Donald Trump's Refusal to Give Biden Keys to Office Space Matters |url=https://time.com/5909532/donald-trump-joe-biden-administration-transition/ |magazine=Time |access-date=November 9, 2020 |date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109191654/https://time.com/5909532/donald-trump-joe-biden-administration-transition/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Key responsibilities of a presidential transition include the identification and vetting of candidates for approximately 4,000 non-civil service positions in the U.S. government who serve at the pleasure of the president; arranging the occupancy of executive residences including the ], ], and ]; liaising with the ] for receipt of the ]; and briefing ] about a new administration's policy priorities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Help Wanted: 4,000 Presidential Appointees|url=http://presidentialtransition.org/blog/posts/160316_help-wanted-4000-appointees.php|website=Center for Presidential Transition|publisher=Partnership for Public Service|access-date=December 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112205457/http://presidentialtransition.org/blog/posts/160316_help-wanted-4000-appointees.php|archive-date=January 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Under existing federal law and custom, Biden became eligible to receive classified national security briefings when his nomination was formalized at the ] in August 2020.

The Presidential Transition Act was amended in 2019 to require the incumbent president to establish "transition councils" by June of an election year to facilitate a possible handover of power.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/05/trump-administration-details-efforts-support-peaceful-presidential-transition/165443/|title=Trump Administration Details Efforts to Support Peaceful Presidential Transition|website=Government Executive |date=May 15, 2020 |access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024185020/https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/05/trump-administration-details-efforts-support-peaceful-presidential-transition/165443/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://presidentialtransition.org/|title=Center for Presidential Transition |access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025230721/https://presidentialtransition.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Transition activities== ==Transition activities==


===Establishment of the transition team=== ===Establishment of the transition team===
] ] participates in a virtual meeting with Biden, Harris, and other governors on December 16]]


Biden began to appoint transition staff in May 2020, chaired by former Delaware Senator ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|title=Biden Transition Organization – Staff, Advisors|website=www.democracyinaction.us|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029093141/https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Further staff were announced in September. The campaign has an estimated budget of $7–10&nbsp;million and plans to have a staff of 300 people by early December 2020. Several working groups were set up in late September and early October.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/23/joe-biden-transition-team-election-campaign|work=The Guardian |title='This is a transition like no other': Biden team prepared for all possibilities |date=September 23, 2020|first=Daniel|last=Strauss|access-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018034446/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/23/joe-biden-transition-team-election-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the ], much of the work was done over ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/05/a-new-challenge-for-transition-planners-building-a-government-over-zoom-425528|work=Politico|date=October 5, 2020|title=A new challenge for transition planners: Building a government over Zoom|first1=Alice Miranda |last1=Ollstein|first2=Megan|last2=Cassella|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028043436/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/05/a-new-challenge-for-transition-planners-building-a-government-over-zoom-425528|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden began to appoint transition staff in May 2020, chaired by ]. Kaufman was previously appointed to Biden's senate seat following his resignation to become the Vice President.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senate swears in Biden replacement Kaufman |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28692968 |date=2008-01-28 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|title=Biden Transition Organization – Staff, Advisors|website=www.democracyinaction.us|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029093141/https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Further staff were announced in September. The campaign had an estimated budget of $7–10&nbsp;million and planned to have a staff of 300 people by early December 2020. Several working groups were set up in late September and early October.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/23/joe-biden-transition-team-election-campaign|work=The Guardian |title='This is a transition like no other': Biden team prepared for all possibilities |date=September 23, 2020|first=Daniel|last=Strauss|access-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018034446/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/23/joe-biden-transition-team-election-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the ], much of the work was done over ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/05/a-new-challenge-for-transition-planners-building-a-government-over-zoom-425528|work=Politico|date=October 5, 2020|title=A new challenge for transition planners: Building a government over Zoom|first1=Alice Miranda |last1=Ollstein|first2=Megan|last2=Cassella|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028043436/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/05/a-new-challenge-for-transition-planners-building-a-government-over-zoom-425528|url-status=live}}</ref>


Biden launched his transition website at approximately 6:30&nbsp;p.m. EST on November 4, a day after Election Day and before the final election results were in.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714#74029265 |work=ABC News|date=November 4, 2020|accessdate=November 4, 2020 |title=Biden team launches transition website|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103235357/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714#74029265|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden launched his transition website at approximately 6:30&nbsp;p.m. EST on November 4, a day after Election Day and before the final election results were in.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714#74029265 |work=ABC News|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020 |title=Biden team launches transition website|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103235357/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714#74029265|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Harris Senate transition=== ===Harris Senate transition===
Harris will resign her Senate seat on or before January 20, 2021. California Governor ] will then appoint a new senator to fill the vacancy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Win by Biden and Harris opens up California Senate seat |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2020/11/07/win-by-biden-and-harris-opens-up-california-senate-seat |access-date=December 4, 2020 |website=] |language=en | first=Bridget | last=Bowman | date=November 7, 2020}}</ref> Harris resigned her Senate seat on January 18, 2021, two days before assuming the vice presidency.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Win by Biden and Harris opens up California Senate seat |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2020/11/07/win-by-biden-and-harris-opens-up-california-senate-seat |access-date=December 4, 2020 |website=] |language=en |first=Bridget |last=Bowman |date=November 7, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205020945/https://www.rollcall.com/2020/11/07/win-by-biden-and-harris-opens-up-california-senate-seat/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 19, 2021, California Governor ] announced that California Secretary of State ] succeeded Harris for the remainder of her term.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last1=Blood|first1=Michael R.|date=December 22, 2020|title=California gets Latino US senator, some Black leaders angry|url=https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-barbara-lee-immigration-california-alex-padilla-41137f888c5c08b0103c0b19ebdfe009|access-date=December 24, 2020|work=]|archive-date=December 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223134718/https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-barbara-lee-immigration-california-alex-padilla-41137f888c5c08b0103c0b19ebdfe009|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Litigation === === Litigation ===
{{Main articles|Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election}} {{Main|Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election}}
{{see also|Disputes surrounding the 2020 United States Presidential Election|Texas v. Pennsylvania}} {{see also|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|Texas v. Pennsylvania}}
The refusal of the administration to admit there's a transition at all has caused problems. The Trump campaign has inspired or instigated dozens of lawsuits that have forced the campaign/transition to spend millions on litigation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bazelon |first1=Emily |title=Trump Is Not Doing Well With His Election Lawsuits. Here's a Rundown. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/us/politics/trump-election-lawsuits.html |website=New York Times |publisher=New York Times |accessdate=November 16, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116052312/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/us/politics/trump-election-lawsuits.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While the transition was ongoing, multiple lawsuits were filed to contest election procedures and results.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bazelon |first1=Emily |title=Trump Is Not Doing Well With His Election Lawsuits. Here's a Rundown. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/us/politics/trump-election-lawsuits.html |work=New York Times |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116052312/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/us/politics/trump-election-lawsuits.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Most of these lawsuits were unsuccessful and were quickly dismissed.


=== COVID-19 Advisory Board === === COVID-19 Advisory Board ===
{{Main|COVID-19 Advisory Board}} {{Main|COVID-19 Advisory Board}}
Before naming any White House staff or cabinet appointments, Biden announced that he will appoint a COVID-19 task force, co-chaired by former Surgeon General ], former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner ] and Yale University epidemiologist Professor ] to replace the previous ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Feuer|first=Will|date=November 7, 2020|title=President-elect Joe Biden to announce Covid task force on Monday|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/07/president-elect-joe-biden-to-announce-covid-task-force-on-monday.html|access-date=November 8, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107212640/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/07/president-elect-joe-biden-to-announce-covid-task-force-on-monday.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Mercia|first1=Dan|last2=Zeleny|first2=Jeff|date=November 7, 2020|title=Biden to announce coronavirus task force as part of presidential transition|work=]|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/transition-biden-coronavirus-task-force/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108213501/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/transition-biden-coronavirus-task-force/index.html}}</ref> Biden pledged a larger federal government response to ] than Donald Trump, akin to President ]'s ] following the ]. This would include increased testing for the COVID virus, a steady supply of ], distributing a vaccine and securing money from Congress for schools and hospitals under the aegis of a national "supply chain commander" who would coordinate the logistics of manufacturing and distributing protective gear and test kits. This would be distributed by a "Pandemic Testing Board", also similar to Roosevelt's ]. Biden also pledged to invoke the ] more aggressively than Trump in order to build up supplies, as well as the mobilization of up to 100,000 Americans for a "public health jobs corps" of ] to help track and prevent outbreaks.<ref name="GoodStol">{{cite news |last1=Goodnough |first1=Abby |last2=Stolberg |first2=Sheryl Gay |title=Biden's Covid Response Plan Draws From F.D.R.'s New Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/health/covid-biden-pandemic-plan.html |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=October 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105212743/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/health/covid-biden-pandemic-plan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> "Other members are Dr. ], ], Dr. ], Dr. ], Dr. ], Dr. ], ], ], Dr. ] and Dr. ]."<ref>{{cite news|last=Christensen|first=Jen|title=How Biden plans to change the US pandemic response|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/health/biden-pandemic-plan/index.html|access-date=November 9, 2020|website=CNN|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035745/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/health/biden-pandemic-plan/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Anthony Fauci confirmed on November 25 that he expected to begin working with the Biden transition team soon.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Wagner|first1=Meg|last2=Macaya|first2=Melissa|last3=Hayes|first3=Mike|date=2020-11-25|title=Fauci confirms he's been talking to President-elect Biden's staff|url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-25-20/h_8c13e145584314c207c65e10be49ffcd|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125151158/https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-25-20/h_8c13e145584314c207c65e10be49ffcd|archive-date=November 25, 2020|access-date=2020-11-25|website=CNN|language=en}}</ref> Before naming any White House staff or cabinet appointments, Biden announced that he will appoint a COVID-19 task force, co-chaired by former Surgeon General ], former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner ] and Yale University epidemiologist Professor ], to replace the previous ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Feuer|first=Will|date=November 7, 2020|title=President-elect Joe Biden to announce Covid task force on Monday|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/07/president-elect-joe-biden-to-announce-covid-task-force-on-monday.html|access-date=November 8, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107212640/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/07/president-elect-joe-biden-to-announce-covid-task-force-on-monday.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Mercia|first1=Dan|last2=Zeleny|first2=Jeff|date=November 7, 2020|title=Biden to announce coronavirus task force as part of presidential transition|work=]|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/transition-biden-coronavirus-task-force/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108213501/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/transition-biden-coronavirus-task-force/index.html}}</ref>


Biden pledged a larger federal government response to ] than Donald Trump, akin to President ]'s ] following the ]. This would include increased testing for the COVID virus, a steady supply of ], distributing a vaccine and securing money from Congress for schools and hospitals under the aegis of a national "supply chain commander" who would coordinate the logistics of manufacturing and distributing protective gear and test kits. This would be distributed by a "Pandemic Testing Board", also similar to Roosevelt's ].
=== Cabinet and White House appointments ===
{{Main|Cabinet of Joe Biden}}


Biden also pledged to invoke the ] more aggressively than Trump in order to build up supplies, as well as the mobilization of up to 100,000 Americans for a "public health jobs corps" of ] to help track and prevent outbreaks.<ref name="GoodStol">{{cite news |last1=Goodnough |first1=Abby |last2=Stolberg |first2=Sheryl Gay |title=Biden's Covid Response Plan Draws From F.D.R.'s New Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/health/covid-biden-pandemic-plan.html |access-date=November 7, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=October 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105212743/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/health/covid-biden-pandemic-plan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> "Other members are Dr. ], ], Dr. ], Dr. ], Dr. ], Dr. ], ], ], Dr. ] and Dr. ]."<ref>{{cite news|last=Christensen|first=Jen|title=How Biden plans to change the US pandemic response|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/health/biden-pandemic-plan/index.html|access-date=November 9, 2020|website=CNN|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035745/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/health/biden-pandemic-plan/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Anthony Fauci confirmed on November 25 that he expected to begin working with the Biden transition team soon.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Wagner|first1=Meg|last2=Macaya|first2=Melissa|last3=Hayes|first3=Mike|date=November 25, 2020|title=Fauci confirms he's been talking to President-elect Biden's staff|url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-25-20/h_8c13e145584314c207c65e10be49ffcd|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125151158/https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-25-20/h_8c13e145584314c207c65e10be49ffcd|archive-date=November 25, 2020|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=CNN|language=en}}</ref>
]


=== Cabinet and White House appointments ===
On November 11, Biden announced his choice of ], formerly his chief of staff during his vice presidency, to serve as ].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Shear|first1=Michael D.|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|last3=Haberman|first3=Maggie|last4=Kaplan|first4=Thomas|date=November 12, 2020|title=Biden Names Ron Klain as White House Chief of Staff|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/ron-klain-biden.html|access-date=November 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003452/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/ron-klain-biden.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 17, ] was named ], ] was named ], ] was named ], ] was named ] and director of the ], and ] was named ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/17/joe-biden-names-cedric-richmond-omalley-dillon-white-house-posts/6324404002/ |title=Joe Biden names Cedric Richmond, O'Malley Dillon to White House posts |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=October 27, 2020 |accessdate=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118024114/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/17/joe-biden-names-cedric-richmond-omalley-dillon-white-house-posts/6324404002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Annie Tomasini was named the Oval Office Operations Director.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Biden Administration: Here's Who Has Been Named So Far|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/17/933848488/biden-administration-heres-who-has-been-nominated|access-date=2020-11-17|website=NPR.org|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117195917/https://www.npr.org/2020/11/17/933848488/biden-administration-heres-who-has-been-nominated|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 20, 2020, Biden named Louisa Terrell director of the ], Carlos Elizondo ], ] director of the ], and Mala Adiga policy director to the First Lady.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-20|title=Biden announces more members of White House senior staff|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-20-20/h_b6e4c0256a3c3bfd379b8aca7af6c735|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121082454/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-20-20/h_b6e4c0256a3c3bfd379b8aca7af6c735|archive-date=November 21, 2020|access-date=2020-11-20|website=CNN|language=en}}</ref>
{{Main|Cabinet of Joe Biden|Political appointments by Joe Biden}}


On November 22, 2020, Bloomberg News and the ''New York Times'' reported that Biden had selected ] as his nominee for Secretary of State.<ref name=longtimeaide>{{cite news |last1=Pager |first1=Tyler |last2=Epstein |first2=Jennifer |last3=Mohsin |first3=Saleha |title=Biden to Name Longtime Aide Blinken as Secretary of State |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/biden-to-name-longtime-aide-blinken-as-secretary-of-state |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=Bloomberg News |date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123163904/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/biden-to-name-longtime-aide-blinken-as-secretary-of-state |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="blinken-sos-nyt-nov-2020">{{cite web |last1=Jakes |first1=Lara |last2=Crowley |first2=Michael |last3=Sanger |first3=David E. |title=Biden Chooses Antony Blinken, Defender of Global Alliances, as Secretary of State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/22/us/politics/biden-antony-blinken-secretary-of-state.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123015015/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/22/us/politics/biden-antony-blinken-secretary-of-state.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, Biden announced that he would nominate ] to be ], ] to be the ], and ] as ], ] to be ], and ] as special presidential envoy on climate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/joe-biden-foreign-policy-national-security-cabinet/index.html|title=Joe Biden nominates first woman to lead intelligence and first Latino to head homeland security|first=Sarah Mucha and Gregory Krieg|last=CNN|website=CNN|access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123194553/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/joe-biden-foreign-policy-national-security-cabinet/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also reported that Biden will nominate former ] ] to be ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Jeff |last2=Siegel |first2=Rachel |title=Biden's pick for treasury secretary will be Janet Yellen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/11/23/bidens-pick-treasury-secretary-will-be-janet-yellen/ |access-date=November 24, 2020 |work=The Washington Post |date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124005425/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/11/23/bidens-pick-treasury-secretary-will-be-janet-yellen/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 11, Biden announced his choice of ], formerly his chief of staff during his vice presidency, to serve as ].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Shear|first1=Michael D.|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|last3=Haberman|first3=Maggie|last4=Kaplan|first4=Thomas|date=November 12, 2020|title=Biden Names Ron Klain as White House Chief of Staff|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/ron-klain-biden.html|access-date=November 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003452/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/ron-klain-biden.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 17, ] was named ], ] was named ], ] was named ], ] was named ] and director of the ], and ] was named ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/17/joe-biden-names-cedric-richmond-omalley-dillon-white-house-posts/6324404002/ |title=Joe Biden names Cedric Richmond, O'Malley Dillon to White House posts |work=USA Today |date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118024114/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/17/joe-biden-names-cedric-richmond-omalley-dillon-white-house-posts/6324404002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ] was named the Oval Office Operations Director.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Biden Administration: Here's Who Has Been Named So Far|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/17/933848488/biden-administration-heres-who-has-been-nominated|access-date=November 17, 2020|website=NPR.org|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117195917/https://www.npr.org/2020/11/17/933848488/biden-administration-heres-who-has-been-nominated|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 20, 2020, Biden named Louisa Terrell director of the ], Carlos Elizondo ], ] director of the ], and Mala Adiga policy director to the First Lady.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 20, 2020|title=Biden announces more members of White House senior staff|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-20-20/h_b6e4c0256a3c3bfd379b8aca7af6c735|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121082454/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-20-20/h_b6e4c0256a3c3bfd379b8aca7af6c735|archive-date=November 21, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020|website=CNN|language=en}}</ref>


On November 22, 2020, Bloomberg News and the ''New York Times'' reported that Biden had selected ] as his nominee for secretary of state.<ref name=longtimeaide>{{cite news |last1=Pager |first1=Tyler |last2=Epstein |first2=Jennifer |last3=Mohsin |first3=Saleha |title=Biden to Name Longtime Aide Blinken as Secretary of State |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/biden-to-name-longtime-aide-blinken-as-secretary-of-state |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=Bloomberg News |date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123163904/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/biden-to-name-longtime-aide-blinken-as-secretary-of-state |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="blinken-sos-nyt-nov-2020">{{cite web |last1=Jakes |first1=Lara |last2=Crowley |first2=Michael |last3=Sanger |first3=David E. |title=Biden Chooses Antony Blinken, Defender of Global Alliances, as Secretary of State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/22/us/politics/biden-antony-blinken-secretary-of-state.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123015015/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/22/us/politics/biden-antony-blinken-secretary-of-state.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, Biden announced that he would nominate ] to be ], ] to be the ], and ] as ], ] to be ], and ] as special presidential envoy on climate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/joe-biden-foreign-policy-national-security-cabinet/index.html|title=Joe Biden nominates first woman to lead intelligence and first Latino to head homeland security|author1=Sarah Mucha |author2= Gregory Krieg |website=CNN|date=November 23, 2020 |access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123194553/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/joe-biden-foreign-policy-national-security-cabinet/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also reported that Biden will nominate former ] ] to be ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Jeff |last2=Siegel |first2=Rachel |title=Biden's pick for treasury secretary will be Janet Yellen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/11/23/bidens-pick-treasury-secretary-will-be-janet-yellen/ |access-date=November 24, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124005425/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/11/23/bidens-pick-treasury-secretary-will-be-janet-yellen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Executive Office of the President====

====White House Staff====
<gallery> <gallery>
File:Ron Klain 2015.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 11)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-12 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Names Ron Klain as White House Chief of Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-names-ron-klain-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124090941/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-names-ron-klain-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:Ron Klain 2015.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 11)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-12 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Names Ron Klain as White House Chief of Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-names-ron-klain-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124090941/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-names-ron-klain-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Bruce Reed-VPCOS.png|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 22)<ref name="December 22">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-22 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announce Additional Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-12-22 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222145938/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Mike Donilon - January 2013.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033625/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:Mike Donilon - January 2013.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033625/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Cedric Richmond official photo.jpg|''']'''<br />] & Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033625/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:Cedric Richmond official photo.jpg|''']'''<br />] & Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17"/></small>
File:Steve Ricchetti.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17"/></small>
File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November17">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033625/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Jeffrey Zients official portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />]/]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="December7"/></small>
File:Julie Chavez Rodriguez.jpg|''']'''<br />Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033625/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Dana Remus.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17"/></small>
File:Stuart Delery.png|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 23)<ref name="December 23">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-23 |title=President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Announced Additional Members of the Office of White House Counsel |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-and-vice-president-elect-harris-announce-additional-members-of-the-office-of-the-white-house-counsel/ |access-date=2020-12-23 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223143751/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-and-vice-president-elect-harris-announce-additional-members-of-the-office-of-the-white-house-counsel/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Julie Chavez Rodriguez (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17"/></small>
File:Catherine M Russell 2015.jpg|''']'''<br />Director of ]<br /><small>(announced November 20)<ref name="November 20">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-20 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff-2/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208173620/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:Catherine M Russell 2015.jpg|''']'''<br />Director of ]<br /><small>(announced November 20)<ref name="November 20">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-20 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff-2/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208173620/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Gautam Raghavan (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />Deputy Director of ]<br /><small>(announced December 22)<ref name="December 22"/></small>
File:Reema Dodin.jpg|''']'''<br />Deputy Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced November 23)<ref name="November 23">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-23 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff-3/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden|language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124090831/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff-3/ |url-status=live}}</ref></small>
File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Announce Members of White House Senior Communications Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-members-of-white-house-senior-communications-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130201438/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-members-of-white-house-senior-communications-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17"/></small>
File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 30) <ref name="December 30">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-30 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announce Additional Members of White House Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-staff/ |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231083728/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Catherine Lhamon staff photo-US DoE.jpg|''']'''<br />Deputy Director, ] for Racial Justice and Equality<br /><small>(announced January 14)<ref name="January 14">{{Cite web |date=2021-01-14 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announces Additional Members of White House Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-staff-4/ |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114165738/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-staff-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Jake-Sullivan-WH.png|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy" /></small>
</gallery>

====Office of Communications====
<gallery>
File:Kate Bedingfield (The Circus on SHOWTIME).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Announce Members of White House Senior Communications Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-members-of-white-house-senior-communications-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130201438/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-members-of-white-house-senior-communications-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Pili Tobar at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons" /></small> File:Pili Tobar at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons" /></small>
File:Official photo of Jen Psaki.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons" /></small> File:Official photo of Jen Psaki.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons" /></small>
File:Karine Jean-Pierre at BookExpo (05336).jpg|''']'''<br />Principal Deputy Press Secretary<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons" /></small> File:Karine Jean-Pierre at BookExpo (05336) (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />Principal Deputy Press Secretary<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons" /></small>
File:Vinay Reddy, EOP.png|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 22)<ref name="December 22" /></small>
</gallery> </gallery>


====Office of the Vice President==== ====Office of the Vice President====
<gallery> <gallery>
File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 3)<ref name="VP staff">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-03 |title=Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US}}</ref></small> File:Tina Flournoy.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 3)<ref name="VP staff">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-03 |title=Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208012659/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>


File:Nancy McEldowney photo.jpg|''']'''<br />National Security Advisor to the ]<br /><small>(announced December 3)<ref name="VP staff"></ref></small> File:Nancy McEldowney photo (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />National Security Advisor to the ]<br /><small>(announced December 3)<ref name="VP staff" /></small>


File:No image.svg|'''Michale Fuchs'''<br />Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President<br /><small>(announced December 3)<ref name="BET 8Jan2021">{{cite web |title=Kamala Harris Announces New Additions To Her Incoming Staff |last1=Gray |first1=Madison |url=https://www.bet.com/article/ic3j8d/kamala-harris-announces-new-staff-additions |work=] |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2021}}</ref></small>


File:Rohini Kosoglu.jpg|'''Rohini Kosoglu'''<br />Policy Advisor to the ]<br /><small>(announced December 3)<ref name="VP staff" /></small>

File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Communications Director for the ]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons"/></small>

File:Symone Sanders by Gage Skidmore.jpg|''']'''<br />Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson to the ]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons" /></small>

File:No image.svg|'''Cynthia Bernstein'''<br />Director of Management and Administration for the ]<br /><small>(announced December 30) <ref name="December 30"/></small>

File:Josh Hsu Holiday Portrait2.png|''']'''<br />] to the ]<br /><small>(announced December 30) <ref name="December 30" /></small>

File:Philip H. Gordon.jpg|''']'''<br />Deputy National Security Advisor to the ]<br /><small>(announced January 16)<ref name="Reuters 16Jan2021">{{cite news |title=Biden nominates veteran diplomats for top State posts |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-diplomats/biden-nominates-veteran-diplomats-for-top-state-posts-idUSKBN29L0I0 |work=] |date=January 16, 2021 |accessdate=September 15, 2021}}</ref></small>

File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Deputy Communications Director for the ]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="BET 8Jan2021"/></small>
</gallery> </gallery>


====Office of the First Lady==== ====Office of the First Lady====
<gallery> <gallery>
File:Julissa Reynoso.jpg|''']'''<br />Chief of Staff to the ]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17"></ref></small>


File:No image.svg|'''Anthony Bernal'''<br />Senior Advisor to the ]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17"></ref></small> File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Senior Advisor to the ]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="November 17" /></small>

File:Mala Adiga portrait.jpg|'''Mala Adiga'''<br />Policy Director to the ]<br /><small>(announced November 20)<ref name="November 20"/></small>

File:Carlos Elizondo.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 20)<ref name="November 20" /></small>

File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Communications Director for the ]<br /><small>(announced November 29)<ref name="Communicatons"/></small>

File:Julissa Reynoso, WH Chief of Staff.jpg|''']'''<br />Chief of Staff to the ]<br /><small>(announced November 17)<ref name="CNBC 17Nov2020">{{cite news |last1=Wilkie |first1=Christina |title=Biden picks for senior White House staff include loyalists, rising Democratic stars |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/17/biden-picks-for-senior-white-house-staff-include-loyalists-rising-democratic-stars.html |access-date=November 17, 2020 |work=CNBC |date=November 17, 2020 |language=en}}</ref></small>


File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Communications Director for the ]<br /><small>(announced November 23)<ref name="Communicatons">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Announce Members of White House Senior Communications Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-members-of-white-house-senior-communications-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130201438/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-members-of-white-house-senior-communications-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
</gallery> </gallery>


====Domestic policy==== ====Domestic policy====
<gallery> <gallery>
File:20210427-OSEC-TEW-001 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (51148817903) (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(announced December 10)<ref name="December10">{{Cite web |title=Domestic Nominees and Appointees |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/domestic-nominees-and-appointees/ |access-date=2020-12-10 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210164954/https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/domestic-nominees-and-appointees/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Susan Rice official photo.jpg|''']'''<br />Director of the ]<br /><small> (announced December 10)<ref name="December10" /></small>
File:Xavier_Becerra_official_portrait_(cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="December7">{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2020 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Key Members of Health Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-key-members-of-health-team/ |access-date=December 7, 2020 |website=Build Back Better |language=en-US |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207211036/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-key-members-of-health-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, official portrait (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(announced December 22)</small><ref>{{cite web |title=DOMESTIC NOMINEES AND APPOINTEES |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/dr-miguel-cardona/ |website=Biden-Harris transition |access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref>
File:Secretary Marty Walsh (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(reported January 7)<ref>{{cite news |author=Politico Staff |title=Biden chooses Boston mayor Walsh as Labor secretary |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/07/biden-chooses-boston-mayor-walsh-as-labor-secretary-455899 |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=POLITICO |date=7 January 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107184206/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/07/biden-chooses-boston-mayor-walsh-as-labor-secretary-455899 |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Marcia_Fudge_116th_Congress_photo.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 10)<ref name="December10" /></small>
File:HHS Xavier Becerra (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="December7">{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2020 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Key Members of Health Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-key-members-of-health-team/ |access-date=December 7, 2020 |website=Build Back Better |language=en-US |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207211036/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-key-members-of-health-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Denis McDonough (crop).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced December 10)<ref name="December10" /></small>
<!-- File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(announced TBD)</small> --> File:Secretary Fudge official photo (cropped).png|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 10)<ref name="December10" /></small>
File:Tom Vilsack, official USDA photo portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(announced December 10)<ref name="December10">{{Cite web |title=Domestic Nominees and Appointees |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/domestic-nominees-and-appointees/ |access-date=2020-12-10 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US}}</ref></small> File:Pete Buttigieg official photo (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(announced December 15)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-15 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Nominee for Secretary of Transportation |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-mayor-pete-buttigieg-as-nominee-for-secretary-of-transportation/ |access-date=2020-12-15 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216002007/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-mayor-pete-buttigieg-as-nominee-for-secretary-of-transportation/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Pete_Buttigieg_(49555517831)_(cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(announced December 15)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-15 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Nominee for Secretary of Transportation |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-mayor-pete-buttigieg-as-nominee-for-secretary-of-transportation/ |access-date=2020-12-15 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US}}</ref></small> File:Secretary McDonough, official photo (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced December 10)<ref name="December10" /></small>
<!-- File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(announced TBD)</small> --> File:Susan E. Rice, DPC Director (cropped 2).jpg|''']'''<br />Director of the ]<br /><small> (announced December 10)<ref name="December10" /></small>
<!-- File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Director, ]<br /> <small>(announced TBD)</small> --> <!-- File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Director, ]<br /> <small>(announced TBD)</small> -->
File:Isabella Casillas Guzman, SBA Administrator.png|''']'''<br />Administrator, ]<br /> <small>(reported January 7)<ref>{{cite news |first1=Hans|last1=Nichols|first2=Ursula|last2=Perano |title=Biden to pick Isabel Guzman as Small Business Administrator |url=https://www.axios.com/guzman-biden-sba-small-business-administration-2374a5f5-5131-4b81-adc9-fe51880fa489.html |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=Axios |language=en |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107193509/https://www.axios.com/guzman-biden-sba-small-business-administration-2374a5f5-5131-4b81-adc9-fe51880fa489.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic&utm_content=1100 |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
</gallery> </gallery>


====Economic policy==== ====Economic policy====
<gallery> <gallery>
File:Janet Yellen official Federal Reserve portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 30)<ref name="November30">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-30 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of Economic Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-economic-team/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130145843/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-economic-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:Secretary Janet Yellen portrait (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 30)<ref name="November30">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-30 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of Economic Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-economic-team/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130145843/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-economic-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Gina Raimondo (cropped 2).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small>(reported January 7)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zeleny |first1=Jeff |title=Biden poised to tap Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to lead Commerce Department |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/gina-raimondo-biden-commerce/index.html |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=CNN |date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107195048/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/gina-raimondo-biden-commerce/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:CeciliaRouse2010.jpg|''']'''<br />Chair, ]<br /><small>(announced November 30)<ref name="November30"/></small>
File:Brian Deese official portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />Assistant to the President for Economic Policy<br />Director, ]<br /><small>(announced December 3)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/brian-deese/|title=Brian Deese, Director of the National Economic Council|language=en|access-date=December 3, 2020|date=December 3, 2020|work=Biden-Harris Transition|archive-date=December 8, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208153448/https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/brian-deese/}}</ref></small> File:Brian Deese official portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />Assistant to the President for Economic Policy<br />Director, ]<br /><small>(announced December 3)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/brian-deese/|title=Brian Deese, Director of the National Economic Council|language=en|access-date=December 3, 2020|date=December 3, 2020|work=Biden-Harris Transition|archive-date=December 8, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208153448/https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/brian-deese/}}</ref></small>
File:Neera Tanden by Gage Skidmore.jpg|''']'''<br />Director, ]<br /><small>(announced November 30)<ref name="November30"/></small> File:Neera Tanden by Gage Skidmore.jpg|''']'''<br />Director, ]<br /><small>(announced November 30)<ref name="November30"/></small>
File:Katherine_Tai_(cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 10)<ref name="December10" /></small> File:Katherine Tai, official portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 10)<ref name="December10" /></small>
File:Jared Bernstein, CEA Member.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 30)<ref name="November30" /></small>
File:Heather M. Boushey, CEA Member.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 30)<ref name="November30" /></small>

File:Cecilia Rouse, CEA Chair.png|''']'''<br />Chair of the ]<br /><small> (announced November 30)<ref name="NBC 29Nov2020">{{cite web |title=Biden names Neera Tanden, Cecilia Rouse to economic team |last1=Bennett |first1=Geoff |last2=Welker |first2=Kristin |last3=Stelloh |first3=Tim |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-expected-name-neera-tanden-cecilia-rouse-economic-team-n1249305 |work=] |date=November 30, 2020 |accessdate=September 8, 2021}}</ref></small>

</gallery> </gallery>


====Environment and energy==== ====Environment and energy====
<gallery> <gallery>
File:TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019 - Day 2 (48839195068).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(reported December 15)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biden to tap former Michigan Gov. Granholm to lead Energy Department |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/15/biden-to-tap-former-michigan-gov-granholm-to-lead-energy-department-445782 |access-date=2020-12-16 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref></small> File:Secretary Jennifer Granholm (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 17)<ref name="Climate">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-18 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of His Climate Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-his-climate-team/ |access-date=2020-12-18 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218014108/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-his-climate-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Secretary Deb Haaland, official headshot.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 17)<ref name="Climate" /></small>
File:Gina McCarthy official portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(reported December 15)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eilperin |first1=Juliet |last2=Dennis |first2=Brady |title=Biden picks former EPA chief Gina McCarthy as White House climate czar |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/12/15/gina-mccarthy-climate-change-czar-biden/ |website=Washington Post |access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref></small>
File:Michael S. Regan official photo (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 17)<ref name="Climate" /></small>
File:Selc-brenda-mallory-0920.jpg|Brenda Mallory|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(reported December 16) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Biden to tap former Michigan Gov. Granholm to lead Energy Department |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/15/biden-to-tap-former-michigan-gov-granholm-to-lead-energy-department-445782 |access-date=2020-12-16 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref></small>
File:Brenda Mallory, CEQ Chair portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 17)<ref name="Climate" /></small>
File:Gina McCarthy, National Climate Advisor.png|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 17)<ref name="Climate" /></small>
File:Ali Zaidi, Deputy National Climate Advisor.jpg|''']'''<br>]<br><small>(announced December 17)<ref name="Climate" /></small>
</gallery> </gallery>


====Foreign affairs and national security==== ====Foreign affairs and national security====
<gallery> <gallery>
File:Antony_Blinken.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=President-Elect Biden Announces Key Members of Foreign Policy and National Security Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-foreign-policy-and-national-security-team/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129194930/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-foreign-policy-and-national-security-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:Secretary Blinken's Official Department Photo (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=President-Elect Biden Announces Key Members of Foreign Policy and National Security Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-foreign-policy-and-national-security-team/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129194930/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-foreign-policy-and-national-security-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Austin_2013_2.jpg|''']'''<br /> ]<br /><small> (announced December 8)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-08 |title=President-elect Biden Nominates Retired Four-Star General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-nominates-retired-four-star-general-lloyd-austin-as-secretary-of-defense/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US}}</ref></small> File:Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III (50885754687) (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br /> ]<br /><small> (announced December 8)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-08 |title=President-elect Biden Nominates Retired Four-Star General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-nominates-retired-four-star-general-lloyd-austin-as-secretary-of-defense/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208230237/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-nominates-retired-four-star-general-lloyd-austin-as-secretary-of-defense/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
File:Attorney General Merrick Garland (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced January 7)<ref>{{cite web |title=Judge Merrick Garland, Attorney General |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/merrick-garland/ |website=Buildbackbetter.gov |access-date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107150808/https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/merrick-garland/ |url-status=live }}</ref> </small>
<!--File:No image.svg|''']'''<br /><br />]<br /> <small> (announced TBD) </small>-->
File:Alejandro_Mayorkas.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy" /></small> File:Secretary Mayorkas Official Photo (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy" /></small>
File:JakeSullivan.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy" /></small> File:Avril-Haines (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy" /></small>
File:Avril_Haines_portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy" /></small>
<!--File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced TBD) </small>--> <!--File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced TBD) </small>-->
File:Linda_Thomas-Greenfield_2013.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small> (announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy" /></small> File:Linda-Thomas-Greenfield-v1-8x10-1.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /> <small> (announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy" /></small>
File:John Kerry official Secretary of State portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=President-Elect Biden Announces Key Members of Foreign Policy and National Security Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-foreign-policy-and-national-security-team/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129194930/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-foreign-policy-and-national-security-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:John Kerry portrait of Climate Envoy (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced November 24)<ref name="ForeignPolicy"/></small>


File:Lisa Monaco, Deputy Attorney General.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small> (announced January 7)<ref>{{cite web |title=Biden to nominate Merrick Garland as attorney general |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/merrick-garland-biden-attorney-general/index.html |website=CNN |last1=Zeleny |first1=Jeff |last2=Sullivan |first2=Kate |last3=Saenz |first3=Arlette |date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=7 January 2021 }}</ref> </small>
</gallery> </gallery>


====Health policy==== ====Health policy====
<gallery> <gallery>
File:Vice_Admiral_Vivek_H._Murthy,_USPHS.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="Health">{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2020 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Key Members of Health Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-key-members-of-health-team/ |access-date=December 7, 2020 |website=Build Back Better |language=en-US |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207211036/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-key-members-of-health-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref></small> File:Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, USPHS (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="December7"/></small>


File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="Health"></ref></small> File:CDC-Director-Rochelle-Walensky-Headshot.jpg|''']'''<br />Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="December7"/></small>


File:No image.svg|''']'''<br />Chair of the COVID-19 Equity Task Force<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="Health"></ref></small> File:Marcella Nuñez-Smith at NIMHD 10th Anniversary Symposium 01.jpg|''']'''<br />Chair of the COVID-19 Equity Task Force<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="December7"/></small>


File:Jeffrey_Zients_official_portrait.jpg|''']'''<br />Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="Health"></ref></small> File:Anthony Fauci 2020.jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="December7"/></small>


File:Francis_Collins_official_photo.jpg|''']'''<br />Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced January 16)</small><ref name="January16">{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2021 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of his White House Science Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-his-white-house-science-team// |access-date=January 16, 2021 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115235343/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-his-white-house-science-team/ }}</ref>
File:Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., NIAID Director (26759498706).jpg|''']'''<br />]<br /><small>(announced December 7)<ref name="Health"></ref></small>
</gallery>

====Science and technology policy====
Bhavya Lal was appointed as the Acting Chief of Staff for NASA at the White House.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/who-is-bhavya-lal-new-acting-chief-of-staff-at-nasa/story/429970.html |title=Who is Bhavya Lal, new acting chief of staff at NASA |date=February 2, 2021 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=February 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221092655/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/who-is-bhavya-lal-new-acting-chief-of-staff-at-nasa/story/429970.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220002923/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/indian-american-bhavya-lal-appointed-acting-chief-of-staff-of-nasa/articleshow/80637310.cms |date=February 20, 2021 }}, Times of India, February 1, 2021, retrieved February 25, 2021.</ref>

<gallery>
File:Eric Lander (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />Director of the ]<br /><small>(announced January 16)</small><ref name="January16"/>

File:Alondra Nelson, OSTP Deputy Director.jpg|''']'''<br />Deputy Director for science and society of the ]<br /><small>(announced January 16)</small><ref name="January16"/>

File:Maria Zuber - GRAIL MoonKAM Student Expo 2012 (cropped).jpg|''']'''<br />Co-chair of the ]<br /><small>(announced January 16)</small><ref name="January16"/>

File:Frances_Arnold_EM1B5928_(32361895088).jpg|''']'''<br />Co-chair of the ]<br /><small>(announced January 16)</small><ref name="January16"/>
</gallery> </gallery>


=== Department of Defense === === Department of Defense ===
There was a great deal of resistance to Biden staffers by Trump appointees, and not much cooperation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunnicutt |first1=Trevor |title=Biden Team Says Defense Department Officials Halted Cooperation |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2020-12-18/biden-team-says-has-some-defense-dept-officials-not-cooperating-in-transition |website=U.S. News & World Report |publisher=U.S. News & World Report L.P. |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121003719/https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2020-12-18/biden-team-says-has-some-defense-dept-officials-not-cooperating-in-transition |url-status=live }}</ref> Then on December 18, acting Defense Secretary ] said in a statement that the transition team had agreed to a two-week pause in discussions over the December holiday period. This was news to the Biden transition team, who immediately said they had not agreed to any such thing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kheel |first1=Rebecca |title=Biden team expresses concern over 'abrupt halt' in cooperation with Pentagon |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/530856-biden-team-expresses-concern-over-abrupt-halt-in-cooperation-with-pentagon |website=TheHill.com |date=December 18, 2020 |publisher=The Hill. |access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref>
After the presidential election in 2020, then President-elect Joe Biden's team reached out to people who worked for former Secretary of Defense ] about helping with the transition for the Department of Defense and possibly serving in the new administration, according to '']'', ] and other news organizations. They continued that this was necessary in part because as of mid-November, President Trump had blocked the start of the official transition process. The incoming Biden administration was said to be aiming to build an effective, bipartisan Defense Department leadership team and therefore looked to what they called "Mattis people" to do that. One official stated, "essentially, everyone that would have been helpful has left the Pentagon by retiring or being fired."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/12/biden-transition-jim-mattis-defense-436396|title=Biden team reaching out to former Mattis officials for help with transition|first=Lara|last=Seligman|website=POLITICO|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113235745/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/12/biden-transition-jim-mattis-defense-436396|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-13-20/index.html|title=US election 2020: Latest news on the Trump-Biden transition|author1=Meg Wagner|author2=Melissa Mahtani|date=November 13, 2020|website=CNN|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114022154/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-13-20/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://politicalwire.com/2020/11/13/biden-transition-reaches-out-to-former-mattis-officials/|title=Biden Transition Reaches Out to Former Mattis Officials|website=Political Wire|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113115510/https://politicalwire.com/2020/11/13/biden-transition-reaches-out-to-former-mattis-officials/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3109833/joe-bidens-team-reaches-out-former-defence|title=Joe Biden's team reaches out to former Mattis team for transition help|date=November 14, 2020|website=South China Morning Post|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113203803/https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3109833/joe-bidens-team-reaches-out-former-defence|url-status=live}}</ref> Former Marine 4-star General and former White House Chief of Staff ] stated that a delay in the transition "could be catastrophic to our people regardless of who they voted for."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/13/john-kelly-criticizes-trump-for-delaying-presidential-transition-it-hurts-our-national-security.html|title=John Kelly criticizes Trump for delaying Biden transition — 'It hurts our national security'|first=Hannah|last=Miao|date=November 13, 2020|website=CNBC|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114003029/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/13/john-kelly-criticizes-trump-for-delaying-presidential-transition-it-hurts-our-national-security.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/13/politics/john-kelly-transition/index.html|title=John Kelly blasts Trump for not helping with the transition: 'The downside to not doing so could be catastrophic'|author=Jake Tapper|website=CNN|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113233502/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/13/politics/john-kelly-transition/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ] reported that Biden's team had been in contact with those who have recent experience in various federal agencies including the Department of Defense, and in most cases, the individuals were career officials and not political appointees. They specifically mention ], a former senior Pentagon official and deputy for the Middle East who briefed the transition team. Mulroy described his participation in the transition process, saying, "the incoming national security team deserves to have the full support of a transition to ensure the seamless transfer of power without incurring any unnecessary risk to our nation's security. I am supporting the incoming transition team because it is the right thing to do."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/transition-stalled-biden-camp-turns-trump-administration-officials/story?id=74277258|title=With transition stalled, Biden camp turns to former Trump administration officials for guidance|website=ABC News|access-date=November 19, 2020|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120002346/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/transition-stalled-biden-camp-turns-trump-administration-officials/story?id=74277258|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Planned executive orders and guidelines === === Planned executive orders and guidelines ===
President-elect Joe Biden plans on signing several executive orders after being sworn into office on January 20, 2021. His planned executive orders include: President-elect Joe Biden plans on signing several executive orders after being sworn into office on January 20, 2021. His planned executive orders include:
* Rejoining the ], * Rejoining the ]
* Reversing President Trump's planned withdrawal from the ], * Reversing President Trump's planned withdrawal from the ]
* Reinstating the ] program, * Reinstating the ] program
* Repealing ] and the ], * Repealing ] and the ]
* Barring anyone in his administration from influencing any ] investigations, and * Barring anyone in his administration from influencing any ] investigations
* Instituting new ethics guidelines at the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-first-executive-orders-measures/2020/11/07/9fb9c1d0-210b-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|title=Biden plans immediate flurry of executive orders to reverse Trump policies|first1=Matt|last1=Viser|first2=Seung Min|last2=Kim|first3=Annie|last3=Linskey|via=www.washingtonpost.com|access-date=November 15, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115170957/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-first-executive-orders-measures/2020/11/07/9fb9c1d0-210b-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2020/11/08/biden-plans-these-5-executive-orders/|title=Biden Plans These 5 Executive Orders|first=Zack|last=Friedman|website=Forbes|access-date=November 15, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035957/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2020/11/08/biden-plans-these-5-executive-orders/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Instituting new ethics guidelines at the ]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-first-executive-orders-measures/2020/11/07/9fb9c1d0-210b-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|title=Biden plans immediate flurry of executive orders to reverse Trump policies|first1=Matt|last1=Viser|first2=Seung Min|last2=Kim|first3=Annie|last3=Linskey|newspaper=]|access-date=November 15, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115170957/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-first-executive-orders-measures/2020/11/07/9fb9c1d0-210b-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2020/11/08/biden-plans-these-5-executive-orders/|title=Biden Plans These 5 Executive Orders|first=Zack|last=Friedman|website=Forbes|access-date=November 15, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035957/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2020/11/08/biden-plans-these-5-executive-orders/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Freezing so-called midnight regulations that have not taken place by January 20<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zilbermints |first1=Regina |title=Biden aims to freeze Trump's 'midnight regulations' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/532119-biden-aims-to-freeze-trumps-midnight-regulations |access-date=December 30, 2020 |work=TheHill |date=December 30, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214233226/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/532119-biden-aims-to-freeze-trumps-midnight-regulations |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition to these executive orders, President-elect Biden plans to issue a large number of executive orders on day one relating to ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/climate-executive-actions-joe-biden/index.html|title=Here are 10 climate executive actions Biden says he will take on day one|first=Kate|last=Sullivan|via=CNN|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117011952/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/climate-executive-actions-joe-biden/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and cancel several health care policies put in place by the Trump administration including ] work requirements, short-term health plans, ] funding cuts, ] abortion referral restrictions, and the ], as well as reinstating ] funding and restoring LGBTQ regulations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/15/politics/biden-overturn-trump-health-care-policies/index.html|title=Here are 7 Trump health care measures that Biden will likely overturn|first1=Tami|last1=Luhby|first2=Caroline|last2=Kelly|first3=Devan|last3=Cole|website=CNN|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116104355/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/15/politics/biden-overturn-trump-health-care-policies/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> President-elect Biden has also stated he will urge all Americans to wear a mask for the first 100 days of his presidency in an effort to curb the ].<ref name="Dec9">{{cite news |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |last2=Reston |first2=Maeve |title=Biden urges America to mask up for 100 days as coronavirus surges |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/03/politics/biden-harris-interview-covid-mask/index.html |access-date=9 December 2020 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>


In addition to these executive orders, President-elect Biden plans to issue a large number of executive orders on day one relating to ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/climate-executive-actions-joe-biden/index.html|title=Here are 10 climate executive actions Biden says he will take on day one|first=Kate|last=Sullivan|date=November 11, 2020 |via=CNN|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117011952/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/climate-executive-actions-joe-biden/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and cancel several health care policies put in place by the Trump administration including ] work requirements, short-term health plans, ] funding cuts, ] abortion referral restrictions, and the ], as well as reinstating ] funding and restoring LGBTQ regulations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/15/politics/biden-overturn-trump-health-care-policies/index.html|title=Here are 7 Trump health care measures that Biden will likely overturn|first1=Tami|last1=Luhby|first2=Caroline|last2=Kelly|first3=Devan|last3=Cole|website=CNN|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116104355/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/15/politics/biden-overturn-trump-health-care-policies/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> President-elect Biden also stated he would urge all Americans to wear a mask for the first 100 days of his presidency in an effort to curb the ].<ref name="Dec9">{{cite news |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |last2=Reston |first2=Maeve |title=Biden urges America to mask up for 100 days as coronavirus surges |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/03/politics/biden-harris-interview-covid-mask/index.html |access-date=December 9, 2020 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209122622/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/03/politics/biden-harris-interview-covid-mask/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Biden promised to appoint more LGBTQ people to government positions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/joe-bidens-plans-carry-out-every-proposal-lgbtq-communitys-list-3090702 |title=Joe Biden's Plans To Carry Out Every Proposal On The LGBTQ Community's List |website=] |first=Megan |last=Manning |date=November 28, 2020 |accessdate=November 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129183635/https://www.ibtimes.com/joe-bidens-plans-carry-out-every-proposal-lgbtq-communitys-list-3090702 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 15, 2020, Biden selected ] as his ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/12/15/ap-sources-biden-to-pick-former-south-bend-mayor-buttigieg-as-transportation-chief/|title=Biden Picks Former South Bend Mayor Buttigieg As Transportation Chief|date=December 15, 2020|accessdate=December 16, 2020}}</ref>


==Transition team== ==Transition team==
Except for those noted, the transition team was announced on September 5. Except for those noted, the transition team was announced on September 5.<ref name=democracyinaction/>


===Co-chairs=== ===Co-chairs===
*], former acting ]<ref name="cindy">{{cite web |title=Cindy McCain Joins Biden-Harris Transition Team's Advisory Board |url=https://buildbackbetter.com/press-releases/cindy-mccain-joins-biden-harris-transition-teams-advisory-board/ |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |accessdate=November 9, 2020 |date=September 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115172252/https://buildbackbetter.com/press-releases/cindy-mccain-joins-biden-harris-transition-teams-advisory-board/ |url-status=live }}</ref> *], former acting ]<ref name="cindy">{{cite web |title=Cindy McCain Joins Biden-Harris Transition Team's Advisory Board |url=https://buildbackbetter.com/press-releases/cindy-mccain-joins-biden-harris-transition-teams-advisory-board/ |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |access-date=November 9, 2020 |date=September 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115172252/https://buildbackbetter.com/press-releases/cindy-mccain-joins-biden-harris-transition-teams-advisory-board/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*] (announced June 20, 2020), former ] from ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name="democracyinaction">{{cite web|date=November 9, 2017|title=Biden Transition Organization – Staff, Advisors|url=https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|accessdate=November 9, 2020|website=www.democracyinaction.us|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029093141/https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|url-status=live}}</ref> *] (announced June 20, 2020), former ] from ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name="democracyinaction">{{cite web|date=November 9, 2017|title=Biden Transition Organization – Staff, Advisors|url=https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|access-date=November 9, 2020|website=www.democracyinaction.us|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029093141/https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*], incumbent ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], incumbent ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*], incumbent ] from ] *], incumbent ] from ]
Line 257: Line 316:


===Advisory council=== ===Advisory council===
*Tony Allen, incumbent president of ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], incumbent president of ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*], economist<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], economist<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*], former ] and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], former ], and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*], former Assistant Attorney General.<ref name="CNN 5Sept2020">{{cite web |title=Biden expands transition team, adding key campaign allies and top Obama-Biden policy hands |last1=Bradner |first1=Eric |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/05/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html |work=] |date=September 5, 2020 |accessdate=September 13, 2021}}</ref>
*], former ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], former ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*], executive director of the Center for Earth, Energy, and Democracy<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], executive director of the Center for Earth, Energy, and Democracy<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
Line 267: Line 327:
*], former ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], former ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*], former ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], former ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*Teresa Romero, incumbent president of the ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], incumbent president of the ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*], former ambassador at large for global women's issues<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], former ambassador at large for global women's issues<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*Lonnie Stephenson, incumbent international president of the ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], incumbent international president of the ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*Felicia Wong, president and ] of the ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], president and ] of the ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>
*], former acting ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/> *], former acting ]<ref name="cindy"/><ref name=democracyinaction/>


==See also== ===Staff===
*], director of day-to-day operations, former staffer in the ].<ref name="CNN 20June2020">{{cite web |title=Biden officially forms transition team |last1=Mucha |first1=Sarah |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html |work=] |date=June 20, 2020 |accessdate=September 7, 2021}}</ref>
*] (2008–2009)
*], former director of the ] ] under President Obama<ref name=AP111120>{{cite news |title=Some big, early shifts on immigration expected under Biden |last1=Fox |first1=Ben |last2=Spagat |first2=Elliot |date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=September 21, 2021 |work=] |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-virus-outbreak-immigration-2c47c4e0f429476e991a1aff67cbb90b}}</ref>
*] (2012)
*], national security and foreign policy, former principal deputy national security adviser and deputy director of the CIA.<ref name="CNN 20June2020"/>
*] (2016–2017)
*], served as an aide to former secretary of state ].<ref name="AP 16Jan2021">{{cite web |title=Biden fills out State Department team with Obama veterans |last1=Lee |first1=Matthew |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-biden-cabinet-antony-blinken-foreign-policy-e7026ce218735c9faec9c7349aefb51e |work=] |date=January 16, 2021 |accessdate=September 7, 2021}}</ref>
*Awenate Cobbina, director of operations, chair of ]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nagl |first1=Kurt |title=Awenate Cobbina reflects on the art of the transition |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/conversation/awenate-cobbina-reflects-art-transition |website=] |access-date=September 17, 2021 |language=en |date=May 14, 2021}}</ref>
*], homeland security adviser, homeland security adviser under the Obama administration<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zeleny |first1=Jeff |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Paul |title=Biden taps Lisa Monaco as homeland security adviser to inauguration amid rising threats |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/joe-biden-lisa-monaco-inauguration/index.html |website=] |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=January 15, 2021}}</ref>

==Financing==
In addition to the roughly $6 million in federal funding the transition received, it raised $22.1 million in private contributions. The Biden transition made $24 million in expenditures.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schouten |first1=Fredreka |title=President Joe Biden raised $22 million to fund his transition to power |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/politics/biden-raising-money-white-house-transition/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=February 23, 2021 |date=February 22, 2021 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223080603/https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/politics/biden-raising-money-white-house-transition/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} {{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons}} {{commons}}
* {{official}} * {{official website}}
* at the ] * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301062723/https://www.gsa.gov/governmentwide-initiatives/presidential-transition-directory |date=March 1, 2021 }} at the ]

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Latest revision as of 22:36, 9 December 2024

Transfer of presidential power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden

Presidential transition of Joe Biden
Biden giving a speech as President-elect
Date of electionNovember 3, 2020
Transition startNovember 7, 2020
Inauguration dateJanuary 20, 2021
President-electJoe Biden (Democrat)
Vice president-electKamala Harris (Democrat)
Outgoing presidentDonald Trump (Republican)
Outgoing vice presidentMike Pence (Republican)
Headquarters1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Co-chairs
Websitebuildbackbetter.gov Edit this at Wikidata
This article or section is part of a series about
United States
presidential transitions
Transitions

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This article is part of
a series aboutJoe Biden

Personal
U.S. Senator from Delaware
47th Vice President of the United States
Vice presidential campaigns
46th President of the United States
Incumbent
Tenure
Policies
Appointments
Presidential campaigns
Joe Biden's signature Seal of the President of the United States

The presidential transition of Joe Biden began on November 7, 2020, and ended on January 20, 2021. Unlike previous presidential transitions, which normally take place during the roughly 10-week period between the election in the first week of November and the inauguration on January 20, Biden's presidential transition was shortened somewhat because the General Services Administration under the outgoing first Trump administration did not recognize Biden as the "apparent winner" until November 23.

Biden became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party for president in April 2020, and formally accepted the nomination the following August. Biden's transition team, led by Ted Kaufman, had already been announced on June 20. Further co-chairs joined the team alongside Kaufman in September. The 2020 presidential election took place on November 3. That evening, incumbent president Donald Trump declared himself the winner, based on his initial lead in tabulated in-person votes — a situation which was widely anticipated and quickly discredited as meaningless, since the votes counted at the time were not representative of the final total and it takes several days to count all the votes. Trump continued to falsely insist that he had won, alleging without evidence that Biden's increasing lead was due to widespread fraud, corruption, and other misconduct. He challenged the results in multiple lawsuits in multiple states, none of which resulted in a substantive victory. Because of Trump's denials, there was a several-week delay before his administration began even limited cooperation with the Biden team.

After three and a half days of vote counting, on November 7, at approximately 11:30 a.m. EST, the Associated Press, along with major TV networks including CNN, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and Fox News, called the race for Joe Biden. After that, most sources described him as the president-elect. Nonetheless, GSA administrator Emily Murphy, a Trump appointee, waited until November 23 to issue the "ascertainment" letter declaring Biden the "apparent winner" on the basis that Trump still disputed the election result. The declaration marked the official start of the transition, and withholding it from the Biden team had denied them $6.3 million, office space, government website status, and access to agencies. Separately, Biden was denied daily classified national security briefings until the Trump administration approved Biden's receiving such briefings on November 24.

The Electoral College met on December 14, 2020, to formally elect Biden and Kamala Harris respectively, as president and vice president. The results were to be certified by a joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021, but due to an attempt by Trump supporters to overturn the results by storming and vandalizing the Capitol building, the certification was not completed until January 7. Biden's transition ended when he was inaugurated on January 20, 2021, at which point his presidency began.

Background issues

Main article: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election § Refusal to accept 2020 electoral loss

Preparations for potential disputed election

See also: Big lie § Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen election, and Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election

As early as the summer of 2020, President Donald Trump began questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election, saying that the increase of mail-in voting in the election compared to previous elections will lead to a "rigged election". For this reason, many pundits and editorial writers would insist that Biden would need to win by a landslide to prevent Trump from challenging the result. Trump's preemptive accusations of fraud led some people to consider what would happen if he should lose by a margin less than a landslide. At various points, Trump had called for his attorney general, William Barr, to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, with Trump frequently insisting that his opponent should be in prison.

Rosa Brooks, who worked in the Department of Defense during the Obama administration, co-founded the Transition Integrity Project (TIP), which in June 2020 ran a series of "wargaming" exercises to explore potential election and transition scenarios. In August 2020, TIP released a widely discussed report that outlined four 2020 election crisis scenario planning exercises for the 2020 United States presidential election. The scenarios examined by TIP included a decisive Biden win, a decisive Trump win, a narrow Biden win, and a period of extended uncertainty after the election. Other academics, such as Lawrence Douglas in his book Will He Go?: Trump and the Looming Election Meltdown in 2020, have also discussed the possibility, which later turned out to be true, of Trump refusing to concede if he lost.

Per the 20th Amendment, the vice president must count the electoral votes in front of Congress's joint session on January 6, 2021. This is governed by the Electoral Count Act of 1887, passed to prevent crises such as that in 1876–77, and while provisions have been used, the act has never been truly put to the test. The Biden legal team had prepared for this, drafting basic responses to each of the possible litigations gamed out by the TIP and others. The only one of the more than sixty cases which had not been dismissed out of hand was about late-arriving mail-in ballots.

Delays in initiating the transition

Main article: Emily W. Murphy § 2020 presidential transition
Administrator of General Services Emily Murphy withheld transition resources until November 23.

Though Joe Biden was generally acknowledged as president-elect in the election on November 7, 2020, General Services Administration head Emily Murphy refused to initiate the transition to the president-elect, thereby denying funds and office space to his team.

Murphy refused to sign a letter (the "ascertainment" determination) allowing Biden's transition team to formally begin work to facilitate an orderly transition of power. By refusing to allow the Biden administration transition to proceed, she prevented the incoming administration from obtaining office space, performing background checks on prospective Cabinet nominees, and accessing classified information which might be needed to respond to emergencies that the administration confronts when in office. Murphy's withholding of the letter also blocked President-elect Biden's transition team from accessing several million dollars in federal transition funds for salaries and other costs, establishing government email addresses, and working with the Office of Government Ethics on required financial disclosure and conflict-of-interest forms for incoming nominees. Amid public speculation that her refusal might jeopardize national security and public health, Murphy began a job search for herself, inquiring about employment opportunities in 2021.

On November 8, the nonpartisan Center for Presidential Transition issued a statement saying "We urge the Trump administration to immediately begin the post-election transition process and the Biden team to take full advantage of the resources available under the Presidential Transition Act." The letter was signed by several experts in presidential transitions: Joshua Bolten, President George W. Bush's former chief of staff; Mike Leavitt, former governor of Utah and Bush's Secretary of Health and Human Services; Mack McLarty, Bill Clinton's former chief of staff; and Penny Pritzker, Barack Obama's Secretary of Commerce.

Andrew Card, the first White House chief of staff under George W. Bush, expressed concern about the delay, noting that "the 9/11 Commission had said if there had been a longer transition and there had been cooperation, there might have been a better response, or maybe not even any attack". Four former Secretaries of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, Michael Chertoff, Janet Napolitano, and Jeh Johnson, called upon Murphy to initiate the transition, writing in a joint statement: "Our country is in the middle of twin crises: a global pandemic and a severe economic downturn. The pandemic will make any transition more complicated. At this period of heightened risk for our nation, we do not have a single day to spare to begin the transition. For the good of the nation, we must start now."

Anthony Fauci, the government's leading infectious disease expert, warned the delay was "obviously not good" from a public health perspective, while President-elect Biden argued "more people may die" as a result of the delay.

On November 23, after Michigan certified its results, Murphy issued the letter of ascertainment, granting the Biden transition team access to federal funds and resources for an orderly transition. Breaking with recent precedent, the letter did not call Biden "president-elect", instead fulfilling her requirements under the Act without implying that he won the election. In the letter Murphy called the Act "vague", recommended Congress "consider amendments to the Act" to improve the standard it sets for post-election allocation of resources, and described threats she had allegedly received pressuring her to act.

Timeline

Pre-election

Meetings between the transition team and the administration began with the formation of two councils in May 2020, around the time the former vice president had clinched the Democratic nomination.

  • April 8, 2020: Biden becomes the presumptive nominee after Bernie Sanders withdraws.
  • June 20, 2020: Initial transition team announced.
  • August 2020: Biden and California Senator Kamala Harris are nominated at the Democratic Convention.
  • September 5, 2020: Full transition team is made public.
  • November 1, 2020: Deadline for transition materials to be completed.
  • November 3, 2020: Election Day

Post-election

  • November 4: The transition website, buildbackbetter.com, goes live.
  • November 7: Election is called for Biden.
  • November 8: GSA Administrator Emily Murphy refuses to sign a letter declaring the official start of the transition, denying funds and office space to the Biden team.
  • November 10: Transition Co-chair Ted Kaufman announces full transition team of at least 500 people.
  • November 23: Emily Murphy signs the transition letter. The transition website changed its web address from buildbackbetter.com to buildbackbetter.gov
  • December 9: Election results in every state and D.C. are certified.
  • December 11: Supreme Court rejects Texas v. Pennsylvania challenge, mooting all others.
  • December 14: The Electoral College formally elects Biden as president and Harris as vice president.
  • December 18: The Acting Secretary of Defense surprises the Biden transition team with a "mutually agreed to" suspension of contacts until January.
  • January 6, 2021: Congress counts Electoral College votes; interrupted by the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
  • January 7, 2021: Congress completes counting Electoral College votes and officially confirms the election results.
  • January 13, 2021: President Trump is impeached for the second time.
  • January 20, 2021: Inauguration Day

Transition procedures

Main article: United States presidential transition

In accordance with the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010, potential presidential transition teams are provided office space by the General Services Administration (GSA). They are also eligible for government funding for staff; spending on Mitt Romney's transition team in 2012 was $8.9 million, all funds appropriated by the U.S. government. In order for the Biden transition team to formally begin working with federal agencies, access federal transition funds, and utilize government-provided office space, Biden had to be formally certified as president-elect by the administrator of the General Services Administration. After the media projected Biden to win the election, and as Trump refused to concede, the current GSA administrator, Trump appointee Emily W. Murphy, refused to sign a letter of authorization. She argued that she had seen no certification outside of the media that Biden has won, and was under no obligation to treat Biden as president-elect.

Key responsibilities of a presidential transition include the identification and vetting of candidates for approximately 4,000 non-civil service positions in the U.S. government who serve at the pleasure of the president; arranging the occupancy of executive residences including the White House, One Observatory Circle, and Camp David; liaising with the United States Strategic Command for receipt of the Gold Codes; and briefing senior personnel about a new administration's policy priorities.

Under existing federal law and custom, Biden became eligible to receive classified national security briefings when his nomination was formalized at the party's national convention in August 2020.

The Presidential Transition Act was amended in 2019 to require the incumbent president to establish "transition councils" by June of an election year to facilitate a possible handover of power.

Transition activities

Establishment of the transition team

Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan participates in a virtual meeting with Biden, Harris, and other governors on December 16

Biden began to appoint transition staff in May 2020, chaired by Ted Kaufman. Kaufman was previously appointed to Biden's senate seat following his resignation to become the Vice President. Further staff were announced in September. The campaign had an estimated budget of $7–10 million and planned to have a staff of 300 people by early December 2020. Several working groups were set up in late September and early October. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the work was done over Zoom.

Biden launched his transition website at approximately 6:30 p.m. EST on November 4, a day after Election Day and before the final election results were in.

Harris Senate transition

Harris resigned her Senate seat on January 18, 2021, two days before assuming the vice presidency. On January 19, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California Secretary of State Alex Padilla succeeded Harris for the remainder of her term.

Litigation

Main article: Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election See also: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election and Texas v. Pennsylvania

While the transition was ongoing, multiple lawsuits were filed to contest election procedures and results. Most of these lawsuits were unsuccessful and were quickly dismissed.

COVID-19 Advisory Board

Main article: COVID-19 Advisory Board

Before naming any White House staff or cabinet appointments, Biden announced that he will appoint a COVID-19 task force, co-chaired by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler and Yale University epidemiologist Professor Marcella Nunez-Smith, to replace the previous White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Biden pledged a larger federal government response to the pandemic than Donald Trump, akin to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal following the Great Depression. This would include increased testing for the COVID virus, a steady supply of personal protective equipment, distributing a vaccine and securing money from Congress for schools and hospitals under the aegis of a national "supply chain commander" who would coordinate the logistics of manufacturing and distributing protective gear and test kits. This would be distributed by a "Pandemic Testing Board", also similar to Roosevelt's War Production Board.

Biden also pledged to invoke the Defense Production Act more aggressively than Trump in order to build up supplies, as well as the mobilization of up to 100,000 Americans for a "public health jobs corps" of contact tracers to help track and prevent outbreaks. "Other members are Dr. Luciana Borio, Rick Bright, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, Dr. Atul Gawande, Dr. Celine Gounder, Dr. Julie Morita, Michael Osterholm, Loyce Pace, Dr. Robert Rodriguez and Dr. Eric Goosby." Anthony Fauci confirmed on November 25 that he expected to begin working with the Biden transition team soon.

Cabinet and White House appointments

Main articles: Cabinet of Joe Biden and Political appointments by Joe Biden

On November 11, Biden announced his choice of Ron Klain, formerly his chief of staff during his vice presidency, to serve as White House chief of staff. On November 17, Mike Donilon was named Senior Advisor to the President, Jen O'Malley Dillon was named deputy chief of staff, Steve Ricchetti was named Counselor to the President, Cedric Richmond was named Senior Advisor to the President of the United States and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, and Dana Remus was named Counsel to the President. Annie Tomasini was named the Oval Office Operations Director. On November 20, 2020, Biden named Louisa Terrell director of the Office of Legislative Affairs, Carlos Elizondo White House Social Secretary, Catherine M. Russell director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, and Mala Adiga policy director to the First Lady.

On November 22, 2020, Bloomberg News and the New York Times reported that Biden had selected Tony Blinken as his nominee for secretary of state. The next day, Biden announced that he would nominate Alejandro Mayorkas to be Secretary of Homeland Security, Avril Haines to be the Director of National Intelligence, and Linda Thomas-Greenfield as United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Jake Sullivan to be National Security Advisor, and John Kerry as special presidential envoy on climate. It was also reported that Biden will nominate former Chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen to be Treasury Secretary.

White House Staff

Office of Communications

Office of the Vice President

Office of the First Lady

Domestic policy

Economic policy

Environment and energy

Foreign affairs and national security

Health policy

Science and technology policy

Bhavya Lal was appointed as the Acting Chief of Staff for NASA at the White House.

Department of Defense

There was a great deal of resistance to Biden staffers by Trump appointees, and not much cooperation. Then on December 18, acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller said in a statement that the transition team had agreed to a two-week pause in discussions over the December holiday period. This was news to the Biden transition team, who immediately said they had not agreed to any such thing.

Planned executive orders and guidelines

President-elect Joe Biden plans on signing several executive orders after being sworn into office on January 20, 2021. His planned executive orders include:

In addition to these executive orders, President-elect Biden plans to issue a large number of executive orders on day one relating to climate change, and cancel several health care policies put in place by the Trump administration including Medicaid work requirements, short-term health plans, Obamacare funding cuts, Title X abortion referral restrictions, and the Mexico City Policy, as well as reinstating Planned Parenthood funding and restoring LGBTQ regulations. President-elect Biden also stated he would urge all Americans to wear a mask for the first 100 days of his presidency in an effort to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transition team

Except for those noted, the transition team was announced on September 5.

Co-chairs

Advisory council

Staff

Financing

In addition to the roughly $6 million in federal funding the transition received, it raised $22.1 million in private contributions. The Biden transition made $24 million in expenditures.

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