A Month After Election Day, Presidential Transition Still In Flux

By Melanie Harster ‘24

Nearly a month after election day, President Trump has still not conceded the election or divulged any intention to concede. The peaceful transition of presidential power has been a cornerstone of American democracy throughout our history. Jefferson's inauguration set an important precedent in American politics, establishing the first peaceful transfer of power between political opponents. However, President Trump’s current unwillingness to concede despite Biden’s 306 electoral votes, 36 more than the 270 threshold that wins a candidate the presidency, is concerning. The Trump administration is currently waging legal battles to dispute the results of the election, citing the illegal counting of votes and voter fraud, resulting primarily from the influx of mail-in ballots. The actions of President Trump put into question whether or not there will be a peaceful transfer of power to future President Joe Biden. Once it became clear Biden had secured 270 electoral college votes, Trump began to sow doubt about the authenticity of Biden’s victory and refused to accept the results, insisting Biden’s victory is illegitimate and no more than an attempt to steal a second term from him. President Trump does not appear to be scaling down his attempts to contest the results of the election any time soon, dangerously delaying the transition process.

Trump’s repeated attacks on Biden’s victory are not only unsubstantiated, but exacerbate the erosion of the American public's confidence in U.S. elections and American democracy as a whole. A majority of high-ranking GOP officials have refused to accept the election’s results and the General Services Administration (GSA) has not formally recognized Biden’s win, preventing him from receiving the government funding and access necessary to officially begin the transition process. The delay in the transition poses a threat to national security during a time in which the U.S. is breaking records in Coronavirus hospitalizations and has seen a  resurgence in infections across the U.S., meaning such a delay can simply not be afforded. Although President Trump stated for the first time last week he would leave office if his recourse to oppose the election runs out,  he has not officially declared any intention to concede. Trump’s obstruction and the denial of the resources necessary for Biden and his administration to begin the transition are inflicting real damage and undermine democratic institutions. Trump’s last day as president is January 20 and ultimately Biden and his administration must be prepared to run the United States from day one.