Defense Department To Finally Begin ‘Immediately’ Working With Biden Team

The US Department of Defense (DOD) seal is seen on the lectern in the media briefing room at the Pentagon December 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
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The Department of Defense on Monday said it would begin “immediately” working with the incoming Biden administration to support the presidential transition becoming among the first government agencies for formally begin cooperating with President-elect Joe Biden’s team after a Trump-appointed administrator stalled transition.

“We will begin immediately implementing our plan to provide support in accordance with the White House and the Biden-Harris team,” the Defense Department wrote in a statement issued late Monday.

The news comes as the head of the General Services Administration, Emily Murphy, on Monday finally took the first steps to green light the start of a formal transition after previously depriving the incoming team of access to key resources needed for a successful transition.

“The DOD Transition Task Force will arrange and coordinate all DOD contact with the Biden-Harris team,” the statement said. “DOD is prepared to provide post-election services and support in a professional, orderly, and efficient manner that is befitting of the public’s expectation of the Department and our commitment to national security.” 

Biden made a series of announcements for top jobs in his administration on Monday, but has not yet formally said who will serve as his defense secretary.

The official selected for that role will be tasked with rebuilding confidence in the stability of a department that under Trump has been marred by a series of departures in recent months in addition to President Trump’s decision to fire his fourth defense secretary Mark Esper in an effort to weed out those who have not proven to be loyalists to his whims.

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  1. The DOD Transition Task Force

    Letter is unsigned but it was issued by Jen Stewart, former Republican House staffer – now the Defense Secretary’s chief of staff and head of the Pentagon’s transition team.

  2. Hope the intentional destruction of our Defense Department did not go too deep and there is evidence of Trump turning over secrets to Putin.

  3. Avatar for jinnj jinnj says:

    Wow… this sounds like an urgent request for the transition team to get over here ASAP!!!
    (NOW! … before we get forced to do any more stupid stuff …)
    … bring a chopper we have the most critical files and key people on the roof waiting for rescue…

  4. The Department of Defense has become a bloated center of featherbedding. I would be worried that it is incapable of carrying out any mission other than spending money unnecessarily. The department needs a completely fresh look.

  5. Imagine an incoming president who knows what he’s doing, is informed in geography, world politics, economics and has nearly 50 years of government experience.

    Imagine the others in government having a president who understands what they’re talking about. Who doesn’t need picture-aides. Who READS. Who doesn’t need briefings mentioning his name every paragraph to keep him reading.

    Imagine a president who listens. Who has wisdom. Compassion. And yet has an inner strength that matches or exceeds that of president Obama.

    That presidency begins right now. It is a relief, and an inspiration.

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