Trump Allows Biden To Receive Daily Intel Briefings

After agreeing to the transition, President Donald Trump next allowed Joe Biden to receive daily intel briefings. Biden can now receive the President's Daily Brief (PDB). It's a classified intelligence report made by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

 RELATED: Trump OKs Biden Transition Process

Previously, Biden only got lower-level intelligence briefings as a candidate. The ODNI requires a letter of ascertainment from the General Services Administration before it can share the PDB. The letter should certify Biden as the presumptive president and can accept privileges. GSA head Emilie Murphy issued the letter Monday, getting the official process underway. It also freed up resources for the transition team. Also, it allowed incoming administration people to meet with current agency staff.

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

An ODNI spokesperson said that “Following the statutory direction of the Presidential Transition Act, ODNI will provide requested support to the transition team. This afternoon the White House approved ODNI to move forward with providing the PDB as part of the support to the transition.” 

Meanwhile, Biden's review team will visit the ODNI offices to meet with staff. They will receive an overview of the agency and its operations. Also, it will include the daily intelligence briefings for the incoming Commander-in-Chief. Biden nominated former CIA deputy director Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence. Once confirmed, Haines will become the first female in that role.

Pressing Issues

Classified intelligence briefing is one of the first privileges for an elected president. It contains important national security issues that the US leader needs to know. PDB access remains limited to the President, Vice President, and senior advisers. 

Usually, the Presidents-elect get copied in the PDB immediately after winning the election. However, the delay in the transition process affected the distribution of the PDB. Trump has yet to concede the election. In fact, lawsuits filed by his legal team delayed election results in some states. Until the GSA letter on Monday, the Biden transition team can only make limited movements. 

“Of Course I Would”

Joe Biden acknowledged his inclusion in the PDB recipient list. There was no given start date for the PDB, but Biden told reporters he will receive them on “a regular basis.” He said that “It's been offered. I did not have it today. We're going to do it on a regular basis,' he said. 

Media asked Biden about a traditional meeting between incoming and outgoing presidents. Biden said he would meet Trump if the latter asked him to. ‘Of course, I would, if he asked,' the president-elect said. There is no word on whether Trump would agree to do the same.

“Will Never Concede”

The GSA’s ascertainment letter came after Michigan and Georgia formally certified their election results last week. In both states, they officially proclaimed Joe Biden as the winner for president. In addition, a growing number of senior Republicans have called for Trump to concede. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie said it’s time for Trump to end his attempts and concede. Other notable Republicans joined in the move to start the transition. These include Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Congressman Paul Mitchell of Michigan, and Senators. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Two weeks earlier, senior Republicans including former president George W. Bush congratulated Biden.

“Most Corrupt Election in American History”

Still defiant, Trump reiterated he remains in the fight. “What does GSA being allowed to preliminarily work with the Dems have to do with continuing to pursue our various cases on what will go down as the most corrupt election in American political history?” Trump wrote on Twitter Monday. “We are moving full speed ahead. Will never concede to fake ballots & ‘Dominion’.” 

In a parting shot Tuesday, he said he's not done. “Remember, the GSA has been terrific, and Emily Murphy has done a great job, but the GSA does not determine who the next President of the United States will be,” he tweeted.

Watch this as Bloomberg’s Quicktake: Now video reporting on Donald Trump allowing Joe Biden access on daily intelligence briefings:

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With the transition process in place, Biden starts his takeover. Trump insists he won’t concede, but his world starts to get smaller. As Biden begins taking some government functions, Trump needs something done. Do you agree with his statement that he may have allowed the transition, but the fight continues? Let us know what you think by commenting below.