Trump finally agrees transition of power to Joe Biden can begin

US President Donald Trump has agreed that the transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden can begin.

The head of the General Services Administration has sent Mr Biden a letter informing him that the Trump administration is ready to begin the presidential transition process.

Emily Murphy, the head of the US agency who was appointed by President Donald Trump, on Monday told Mr Biden of a decision in a letter of which CNN obtained a copy.

“I take this role seriously and, because of recent developments involving legal challenges and certifications of election results, am transmitting this letter today to make those resources and services available to you,” the letter read.

“I have dedicated much of my adult life to public service and I have always strived to do what is right.

“Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts.

“I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any executive branch official – including those who work at the White House or GSA – with regard to the substance or timing of my decision. “

Mr Trump said on Twitter that he directed his team to co-operate on transition for Mr Biden but he vowed to keep up his legal fight against the election result. He stopped short of fully conceding the election.

“I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our country,” he said.

“She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA.

“Our case strongly continues. We will keep up the good fight and I believe we will prevail.

“Nevertheless, in the best interest of our country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.”

The decision means that Mr Biden’s team now has access to funds, office space and the ability to meet federal officials.

Yohannes Abraham, the Biden-Harris transition director, welcomed the decision.

Mr Abraham called it “a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track”.