US President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday , November 10, called President Donald Trump’s failure to concede defeat in the 2020 presidential election “an embarrassment.
Biden was speaking to reporters in Wilmington, Delaware, about Affordable Care Act when he asked for his thoughts about how some Americans feel over the president’s refusal to publicly concede defeat, Biden said, “I just think it’s an embarrassment, quite frankly.”
“How can I say this tactfully? I think it will not help the president’s legacy.”
“I think that — I know from my discussions with foreign leaders, thus far, that they are hopeful that the United States’ democratic institutions are viewed once again as being strong and enduring,” Biden said.
“And — but I think at the end of the day, you know, it’s all going to come to fruition on January 20th. And between now and then, I hope an expectation is that the American people are — do know and do understand that there has been a transition, even among Republicans who are people who voted for the president,” he continued.
“I understand the sense of loss. I get that, but I think the majority of the people who voted for the president, a lot voted for him, a significantly smaller number, but a lot voted for him. I think they understand that we have to come together. I think they’re ready to unite, and I believe we can pull the country out of this bitter politics that we’ve seen for the last — last five, six, seven, years,” Biden said, reverting to his call for unity.
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It was the first time Biden has taken reporter questions as president-elect and it comes after the Trump administration blocked the Biden administration from accessing appropriated funds, among other resources for Joe Biden to proceed with his transition.
Asked about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggesting that he may not recognize the outcome of the election until the Electoral College meets next month, Biden said it reflects the position of several Republicans who are facing pressure from the president.
“I think that the whole Republican party has been put in a position, with a few notable exceptions, of being mildly intimidated by the sitting president. But there’s only one president at a time. He’s president,” Biden said. “We’re gonna have the Electoral College — will be making their judgment in December. It will be announced in early January. But in the meantime, I hope to get a chance to speak to Mitch.”
