Trump says Biden complicates process of administration transition

On the anniversary of the Capitol insurrection, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden of obstructing the transition of power, claiming that Biden is "doing everything possible to make the transition as difficult as possible."

Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, shared his remarks with Newsweek, calling Biden's actions "despicable" and asserting that the president is undermining the will of the American people who, according to Trump, gave him a "historic mandate to Make America Great Again," Caliber.Az reports via American media.

Newsweek also reached out to both Trump’s transition team and the White House for comment, but no immediate response was provided.

Trump will assume office in two weeks, with Congress expected to certify his victory. This marks the fourth anniversary of the pro-Trump mob storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to block Congress from certifying Biden’s 2020 election win.

Typically, outgoing presidents attend their successors’ inauguration to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. However, Trump notably deviated from this tradition in 2021, when he refused to attend Biden's inauguration.

Trump expressed his frustration with Biden on Truth Social, accusing him of obstructing the transition with actions such as "Lawfare" and "costly and ridiculous Executive Orders on the Green New Scam and other money-wasting Hoaxes." This post came shortly after Biden’s announcement that he would ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters, a policy that has been a point of contention.

Trump, who has long supported the U.S. oil and natural gas industry, made it a central promise of his 2024 campaign that his administration would prioritize drilling, proclaiming "drill, baby, drill" if he were re-elected.

Biden’s recent move to block Japan's Nippon Steel’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel further stoked tensions, as the deal had been one of the key issues during the 2024 election campaign.

Trump’s transition period has been marked by controversy. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, he repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the election had been stolen and encouraged his supporters to protest the results.

For the 2024 transition, Trump’s campaign delayed signing a memorandum of understanding with the White House, a document that typically facilitates the handover of power. Despite these tensions, Biden and Trump met on November 15 in the Oval Office. Trump described the meeting to the New York Post, saying that the two "really enjoyed seeing each other."

Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, praised White House chief of staff Jeff Zients for his professionalism. “He has made great suggestions, helped make sure we stay on time with required functions, and helped us navigate the labyrinth that is the Executive Office of the President,” she said.

Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, January 20, marking the official start of his second term in office.

By Khagan Isayev