DOD to begin Biden transition 'immediately'

The Defense Department is ready to immediately begin activities to transition to the administration of President-elect Biden, according to a Pentagon statement.

The statement follows an order yesterday from the Government Services Administration allowing the presidential transition process to begin.

“The department has received notice that pursuant to the Presidential Transition Act, the GSA Administrator is making certain post-election resources and services available to the Biden-Harris Transition Team,” according to DOD spokeswoman Sue Gough “This evening, DOD has been contacted by the Biden-Harris team and their designated lead for the DOD Agency Review Team and, based on the ascertainment by the GSA Administrator, we will begin immediately implementing our plan to provide support in accordance with statute, DOD policy and the memorandum of agreement between the White House and the Biden-Harris team.”

The department had been pausing all transition work until the GSA approved the process. The process, however, was slowed down for weeks by President Trump who refuses to concede the election and continues to baselessly allege widespread voter fraud.

But Trump’s legal team has repeatedly failed to produce evidence of fraud and states have begun certifying their elections. The GSA said those “recent developments” have contributed to the decision to move ahead with the transition process.

Gough said DOD’s transition task force will arrange and coordinate contact with Biden’s team.

“DOD is prepared to provide post-election services and support in a professional, orderly, and efficient manner that is befitting of the public’s expectation of the Department and our commitment to national security,” she said.