The head of the General Services Administration has yet to recognize the incoming Biden administration — a delay that could have consequences for the president-elect's plan to move swiftly on the coronavirus.
More than 48 hours after media outlets projected that Joe Biden had defeated President Donald Trump to win the White House, GSA chief Emily Murphy had yet to sign the letter of "ascertainment" — a previously mostly noncontroversial process since the passage of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Signing the paperwork when a new president is elected triggers the release of millions of dollars in transition funding and allows an incoming administration access to current government officials.
Murphy was appointed to the job by Trump in 2017.
With the ascertainment delayed, the Biden transition team has been prevented from meeting with officials heading Operation Warp Speed and other Trump administration coronavirus efforts.
"America's national security and economic interests depend on the federal government signaling clearly and swiftly that the United States government will respect the will of the American people and engage in a smooth and peaceful transfer of power," a Biden-Harris transition spokesperson said Monday in a statement.
The Biden transition official said Murphy's hold-up could also affect the Biden team's access to classified information for incoming national security officials; access to secure locations for private discussions about personnel, budget and policy issues; and access to the $6.3 million of congressionally appropriated funds designated for transition activities, office space and equipment.
Asked later Monday whether Biden's team might take legal action to force the GSA to recognize the transition, a Biden transition official said: "Legal action is certainly a possibility. But there are other options, as well, that we are considering."
Chris Lu, who led President Barack Obama's transition in 2008, said: "Close cooperation between the outgoing and incoming administrations is always important, but it's especially critical when the country is facing a public health crisis and an economic recession.
"It's time for Donald Trump to put the national interest above his political interest," he added.
There has been little controversy around such paperwork after previous elections, and this marks the most significant delay since 2000, when the outcome of the election between George W. Bush and Al Gore hinged on a Supreme Court ruling during the Florida recount dispute.
The GSA did not indicate Monday when the paperwork would be signed. Trump has refused to concede the election, promised legal battles and said he would ask for a recount in Wisconsin. It appears as of now that no legal challenges have been filed that could overturn Biden's Electoral College victory.
"An ascertainment has not yet been made. GSA and its Administrator will continue to abide by, and fulfill, all requirements under the law and adhere to prior precedent established by the Clinton Administration in 2000," a GSA spokesperson said, pointing to the transition from President Bill Clinton to Bush.

Trump and all is crew will be alive when Biden move into the White House as the president because it’s not it’s father house .
The people don’t want you then u leave .
That’s why I will respect Jonathan forever , accept your defeat and move on

We are watching from 6D how overrated purported home of democracy in the world will behave themselves after this election. This is an evidence that democracy are better managed in most Africa's countries than advanced countries.