Biden says transition team is already speaking with Trump administration officials

Now that the The general service administration has determined President elect Joe biden can access the federal government’s transition tools, formal conversations between Mr. Biden’s team and Trump administration officials are already underway, the new president said on Tuesday.

Shortly after CBS News confirmed the former vice president could access the daily presidential briefing, Mr Biden told NBC’s Lester Holt the access his team was getting from officials in the current administration. Since the confirmation letter from the GSA on Monday evening, Mr Biden said there had been an “immediate” awareness among national security officials, adding that he could now access daily briefings and that his team were holding a meeting with White House Coronavirus Vaccine Working Group. Distribution.

“And I have to say that the outreach has been genuine,” Mr Biden told Holt.

Earlier Tuesday, when asked by reporters whether he would agree to a meeting with President Trump if offered, Mr Biden replied, “Of course I would, if he asked.” So far, Mr. Trump has given no indication that he would invite Mr. Biden to the White House, and he has refused to give in.

Several White House officials told CBS News that White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows sent a note to staff telling them the White House “will comply with all actions necessary to ensure the smooth transfer. power”. Bloomberg first reported the existence of the memo.

“Unless specifically authorized personnel are not permitted to speak directly with a member of Biden’s transition team or the federal transition coordinator,” the memo reads.

The GSA’s cooperation also means Biden’s team can access the $ 6.3 million earmarked for transition activities, as well as federal offices.

Biden’s agency review team, made up of dozens of mostly volunteers, can now contact agencies to access critical information on the agency’s processes and their latest work.

The FBI says it can now begin investigating potential candidates, after receiving written requests from the president-elect’s office. The FBI is working to thoroughly investigate the applicants as quickly as possible. The results of the background check are provided to the requesting agency.

Andy Triay contributed to this report.