Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is receiving criticism after he suggested that President-elect Joe Biden is not yet the winner of the presidential election.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Pompeo was asked if his department would cooperate with Biden’s team during the transition process.
He said, “There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration.”
Pompeo was pressed on those comments during an appearance on Fox News later in the day and asked if he was simply trying to make a joke.
He said, “We’ll have a smooth transition and we’ll see what the people ultimately decided when all the votes have been cast.”
“I am very confident that we will have a good transition. That we will make sure that whoever is in office on noon on January 20, has all the tools readily available so that we don’t skip a beat with the capacity to keep Americans safe,” he added.
Finally, he said the administration will carry out the transition process in a way that is “deeply consistent with the American tradition.”
Watch the video below:
BAIER: You were asked about the concerns about a smooth transition and you said there will be a smooth transition to a 2nd Trump term. Were you being serious?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 10, 2020
POMPEO: We will have a smooth transition and we will see what people ultimately decided when the votes have been cast. pic.twitter.com/j8fWvUKkLV
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) seized on those comments and said, “Look at reality. Secretary Pompeo, Joe Biden has won.”
“He’s won the election. Now move on. Let’s bring this country together and get things done. We have a COVID crisis raging. We don’t have time for these kinds of games,” he added.