President-elect Joe Biden is criticizing President Donald Trump for failing to accept the results of the election.
A reporter asked Biden what his message is to Americans who are concerned about Trump’s refusal to concede and what it means for the nation.
“I just think it’s an embarrassment, quite frankly … It will not help the president’s legacy,” Biden said, adding, “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.”
He continued, “I think at the end of the day it’s all going to come to fruition on January 20 and between now and then my hope and expectation is that the American people … do know and do understand that there has been a transition.”
Watch his comments below:
#BREAKING: President-elect Joe Biden responds to President Trump refusing to concede: "I just think it's an embarrassment, quite frankly… It will not help the President's legacy." pic.twitter.com/ASKycNPR49
— The Hill (@thehill) November 10, 2020
While Biden has not heard from Trump, several Republicans have extended their congratulations to the former vice president, as IJR previously reported.
The president has launched several legal challenges to challenge election results in states including Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and Michigan, as IJR previously reported.
Attorney General William Barr advised federal prosecutors to investigate allegations of widespread voter fraud and irregularities.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) revealed to reporters Tuesday the reason why some Republicans have been slow to congratulate Biden.
“Until the Electoral College votes, anyone who’s running for office can exhaust concerns about counting in any court of appropriate jurisdiction. That’s not unusual. It should not be alarming,” McConnell said.
He made it clear Trump has not made it difficult for Biden to transition.
“I don’t think anything that’s occurred so far interrupts an ordinary process of moving through the various steps that I indicated and allowing, if there is a new administration, it to work through the transition. All of these steps will be taken at the appropriate time,” McConnell said.