Why it matters a little-known Trump appointee won't certify Biden's apparent victory


The Associated Press and other major news organizations announced Saturday morning that Joe Biden has won enough electoral votes to become president-elect, and world leaders — even some close to President Trump — started tweeting their congratulations soon afterward. Some high-profile Republicans have also congratulated Biden, but Trump has not conceded the race, many of his supporters are baselessly alleging vote fraud, and a lot of GOP figures are waiting for Trump's long-shot legal challenges to play out before commenting.
Much of the refusal to concede is political, borne of normal disappointment and abnormal disinformation, but there are also practical consequences, starting with the General Services Administration declining to formally "ascertain" that Biden is the "apparent winner." Emily Murphy, the Trump-appointed administrator of the little-known GSA, needs to sign such a letter in order for the incoming Biden administration to get access to federal transition funds, government officials, and other resources needed for a seamless transfer of power. She hasn't.
"Every day counts in a transition, this year more than any transition since 1932," David Marchick, presidential transition expert at the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, tells The Wall Street Journal. "The delay has already gummed up discussions on critical issues, including plans to distribute a possible coronavirus vaccine," The Washington Post reports. Former GOP White House officials and veterans of past presidential transitions urged the GSA in a letter Sunday "to immediately begin the post-election transition process," Politico reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Except in 2000, "the GSA has sent a letter identifying the winner within days of the AP and networks calling the election, long before the results are made official by the Electoral College," the Journal explains. It's not clear if Murphy will issue the letter after Trump "has exhausted his legal avenues to fight the results, or the formal vote of the electoral college on Dec. 14," The Washington Post reports. "There are 74 days, as of Sunday, until the Biden inauguration on Jan. 20."
"An ascertainment has not yet been made," GSA spokeswoman Pamela Pennington told the Post, "and its administrator will continue to abide by, and fulfill, all requirements under the law." One senior administration official told the Post that detailed transition plans have been drafted, and they'll be released to the Biden team after a winner is formally declared, though Trump himself "is unlikely to concede he has lost or participate in traditional activities."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Week contest: Marriage pounds
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - March 27, 2025
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - group chats, language lessons, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Playhouse Creatures: 'dream-like' play is 'lively, funny and sharp-witted'
Anna Chancellor offers a 'glinting performance' alongside a 'strong' supporting cast
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel detains director after West Bank settler clash
speed read The director of Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land' was arrested and beaten
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Turkey arrests Istanbul mayor, a top Erdogan rival
Speed Read Protests erupted in Turkey after authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel strikes Gaza, breaking ceasefire
Speed Read 326 Palestinians were killed in the first major attack since Netanyahu's government signed a ceasefire agreement with Hamas
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Houthis vow retaliation amid US airstrikes
Speed Read Trump promises the US will use 'overwhelming lethal force' against the Houthis until they stop attacking Red Sea ships
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pakistan train hostage standoff ends in bloodshed
Speed Read Pakistan's military stormed a train hijacked by separatist militants, killing 33 attackers and rescuing hundreds of hostages
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Romania's election chaos risks international fallout
IN THE SPOTLIGHT By barring far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from the country's upcoming electoral re-do, Romania places itself in the center of a broader struggle over European ultra-nationalism
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published