100 security experts, transition rejection risks

"US President Donald Trump's refusal to acknowledge Joe Biden's victory and allow for an orderly transition poses a serious threat to America's democratic process and our national security." One hundred former government security officials wrote in a letter, including former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, former CIA Director Michael Hayden and former Director of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte. Because of these risks, "we appeal to Republican leaders - especially those in Congress - to publicly demand that President Trump cease his anti-democratic assault on the integrity of the presidential election. It has been clear for two weeks now that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, garnering 306 electoral votes, far more than the 270 required to be elected. "Despite this clear evidence, President Trump refused to accept the results and begin the transition process. While the President has every legal right to ask for recounts and to bring legal appeals in good faith, he has presented no evidence of extensive fraud or other significant irregularities. Almost every appeal brought by the president's team in different states is summarily filed. President Trump's continued efforts to question the validity of the election and interfere in the electoral processes of states undermine our democracy and risk long-term damage from damaging our institutions. "Distorting the electoral process, the signatories warn, and rejecting the transition poses "significant risks to our national security as the US confronts the global pandemic and faces serious threats from global adversaries, terrorist groups and other forces. "The delay in allowing transition teams to meet and speak with officials from the coronavirus task force and at the National Security Council, the Departments of State, Defense and Homeland Security, and other crucial departments and agencies for the US national security means the incoming Biden administration will be less prepared to defend America's security when it takes power 59 days from now. " And these are not, they warn, "hypothetical concerns: the 9/11 Commission concluded that the shortening of the transition from the George W. Bush administration during the 2000/2001 electoral dispute 'hampered' the new administration in identifying , recruit, eliminate and obtain confirmation from the Senate in key appointments' who were responsible for addressing the terrorist threat in the months leading up to the attacks of 9/11. To ensure the readiness of the national security organs, we recommend that the Commission give high priority to 'reduce the interruption of national security policies during the change of administrations as much as possible' ". "The election is over and the outcome is certain. In recent days, some Republican leaders have been asking President Trump to respect the will of the American people. Now it is time for the rest of the Republican leadership to put aside politics and insist on the President Trump cease his dilatory and anti-Democratic efforts to undermine the election result and begin an orderly transition of power to President-elect Biden. By encouraging President Trump's delaying tactics or by remaining silent, Republican leaders are putting American democracy and national security ".

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November 23, 2020 "US President Donald Trump's refusal to acknowledge Joe Biden's victory and allow for an orderly transition poses a serious threat to America's democratic process and our national security." One hundred former government security officials wrote in a letter, including former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, former CIA Director Michael Hayden and former Director of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte.

Because of these risks, "we appeal to Republican leaders - especially those in Congress - to publicly demand that President Trump cease his anti-democratic assault on the integrity of the presidential election. It has been clear for two weeks now that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, garnering 306 electoral votes, far more than the 270 required to be elected.

"Despite this clear evidence, President Trump refused to accept the results and begin the transition process. While the President has every legal right to ask for recounts and to bring legal appeals in good faith, he has presented no evidence of extensive fraud or other significant irregularities. Almost every appeal brought by the president's team in different states is summarily filed. President Trump's continued efforts to question the validity of the election and interfere in the electoral processes of states undermine our democracy and risk long-term damage from damaging our institutions. "Distorting the electoral process, the signatories warn, and rejecting the transition poses "significant risks to our national security as the US confronts the global pandemic and faces serious threats from global adversaries, terrorist groups and other forces.

"The delay in allowing transition teams to meet and speak with officials from the coronavirus task force and at the National Security Council, the Departments of State, Defense and Homeland Security, and other crucial departments and agencies for the US national security means the incoming Biden administration will be less prepared to defend America's security when it takes power 59 days from now. "

And these are not, they warn, "hypothetical concerns: the 9/11 Commission concluded that the shortening of the transition from the George W. Bush administration during the 2000/2001 electoral dispute 'hampered' the new administration in identifying , recruit, eliminate and obtain confirmation from the Senate in key appointments' who were responsible for addressing the terrorist threat in the months leading up to the September 11 attacks. To ensure the readiness of national security organs, we recommend that the Commission give high priority to 'reduce the interruption of national security policies during the change of administrations as much as possible' ".

"The election is over and the outcome is certain. In recent days some Republican leaders have been calling on President Trump to respect the will of the American people. Now it is time for the rest of the Republican leadership to put aside politics and insist on the President Trump cease his dilatory and anti-Democratic efforts to undermine the election result and begin an orderly transition of power to President-elect Biden. By encouraging President Trump's delaying tactics or by remaining silent, Republican leaders are putting American democracy and democracy at risk. national security ".

100 security experts, transition rejection risks

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