Kayleigh McEnany STILL won't call President-elect Joe Biden the winner due to 'ongoing litigation' - Daily Mail

Kayleigh McEnany STILL won't call Joe Biden president-elect because Donald Trump is pursuing 'ongoing litigation' and terms Electoral College result just 'one more step' in the process

• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called Biden 'president-elect' and acknowledged his victory for the first time publicly Tuesday
• McEnany cited 'ongoing litigation' and would not do the same
• Had no update on if Trump would concede
• Electoral College met; Biden won 306 to 232 votes
• Congress counts the vote Jan. 6 and inauguration is set for Jan. 20th 

By Geoff Earle, Deputy U.S. Political Editor For Dailymail.com

Published: 18:58 GMT, 15 December 2020 | Updated: 20:13 GMT, 15 December 2020

White House press secretary briefed reporters Tuesday following the Electoral College meeting to make Joe Biden's win official – but still wouldn't call him 'president-elect' and gave no indication President Trump would concede.

She called the meeting of the Electoral College, where Biden won 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232, 'one step in the constitutional process.'

She cited 'ongoing litigation' – a reference to the Trump campaing an allies filing dozens of lawsuits that have suffered more than 50 losses in court. 

'Ongoing litigation': White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany would not call Joe Biden president-elect or indicate President Trump was ready to concede despite the meeting of the Electoral College

'The president is still involved in ongoing litigation related to the election. Yesterday's vote was one step in the constitutional process. I will leave that to him and refer you to the campaign for more on that litigation,' she said - dodging a direct question about whether Trump planned to invite Biden to the White House and acknowledged him as president-elect.

She repeated a version of that answer in response to multiple questions.

She said she wasn't sure whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had called Trump to give a head's up before McConnell for the first time congratulated Biden Tuesday morning and called him president-elect.

'I haven’t gotten the president’s reaction to that but the president again is pursuing ongoing litigation,' she said. 

President-elect Joe Biden called Mitch McConnell to 'thank him for the congratulations' Tuesday

McEnany made long comments criticizing media coverage but declined to say Trump would invite his successor to the White House

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called Biden 'president-elect' and acknowledged his victory for the first time publicly Tuesday

She directed questions about what possible legal recourse Trump has to the campaign, where she also has served as a spokesperson when not doing her taxpayer-funded job at the White House. 

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to take up a case filed by the Republican Texas attorney general seeking to throw out the result in four states.

Biden ripped the president in a prime-time speech Monday for refusing to accept the results after Biden bested him by 7 million votes in the popular vote and matched Trump's own 2016 306 electoral vote total.

'Respecting the will of the people is at the heart of our democracy, even if we find those results hard to accept,' said Biden on the day the Electoral College met in state capitals across the nation

'Pursuing legitimate litigation through the judicial system is in no way assaulting democracy,' she said. 

She then pivoted to the Mueller probe and called the investigations of Trump throughout his term an 'assault on democracy.' 

Biden said in his Monday night speech: 'In America, when questions are raised about the legitimacy of any election, those questions are resolved through a legal process. And that is precisely what happened here. The Trump campaign brought dozens and dozens and dozens of legal challenges to test the results. They were heard. And they were found to be without merit,' said Biden. 

'Respecting the will of the people is at the heart of our democracy, even if we find those results hard to accept,' said Biden – alluding to Trump's refusal to concede or accept the results. 

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2020-12-15 18:58:00Z
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US election: Top Trump ally breaks silence to congratulate Biden - BBC News

A top member of US President Donald Trump's Republican Party, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has congratulated Joe Biden on winning the presidential election last month.

Senator McConnell spoke after the electoral college formally confirmed Mr Biden's victory over Mr Trump.

The Democrat won 306 electoral college votes to Mr Trump's 232.

President Trump still refuses to concede, making unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud.

• The people who ultimately pick the US president
• What Biden's victory means for rest of world
• 'Let's work together!' World reacts to Biden win

Relations with the Senate, currently controlled by the Republicans, will be crucial to Mr Biden's presidency.

On Tuesday, he travels to Georgia to campaign for the Democrats in next month's Senate run-off elections. Two seats will be decided on 5 January and could decide whether or not his party takes control of the chamber. Democrats already control the House of Representatives.

Formal confirmation of his victory prompted several international leaders finally to come forward with their congratulations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Putin offers Biden late congratulation on poll win

What did McConnell say?

Speaking on the Senate floor, Mr McConnell said: "Today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden."

Also congratulating Mr Biden's running-mate, Kamala Harris, he added: "All Americans can take pride that our nation has a female vice president-elect for the very first time."

Mr Biden said later he had phoned Mr McConnell to thank him for the congratulations and the two had agreed to "get together sooner than later".

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged Mr Trump to "end his term with a modicum of grace and dignity".

"For the sake of our democracy, for the sake of peaceful transition of power, he should stop the shenanigans, stop the misrepresentations and acknowledge that Joe Biden will be our next president," he said.

It took more than a month, but Mitch McConnell is now acknowledging the obvious - that Joe Biden will be the next US president.

Upon Donald Trump's departure from the White House, the Senate majority leader will become the senior-most Republican officeholder in the US, so his congratulations to the Democratic president-elect are meaningful.

Reuters

They will give cover to other members of Congress who may have been holding their tongues lest they draw Donald Trump's ire. It may allow the presidential transition process to unroll in a more traditional manner - at least where relations between Congress and the incoming administration are concerned.

With Mr McConnell now accepting Joe Biden's victory, President Trump's final play - challenging his election loss in Congress on 6 January - also becomes more pointless. Not only will it be blocked by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, it seems unlikely to find any traction in the Senate.

Now the waiting for the Trump response begins. Will he shrug off Mr McConnell's words or add him to the growing list of enemies within his own party that must be confronted and condemned?

The president's next words and actions could reveal the depth of the political turmoil facing the party in the days ahead.

President Trump does not appear to be changing his stance. Tweeting on Tuesday, he said without offering evidence that "tremendous evidence" of voter fraud was "pouring in".

When asked if Mr Trump recognised Mr Biden as president-elect, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany merely said the president was still involved in ongoing litigation related to the election.

What happens in Georgia?

When Mr Biden takes over the White House on 20 January, he will be looking for the support of both chambers of Congress to carry out his election promises.

Reuters

While Democrats control the House, in the Senate Mr McConnell's party has 52 of the 100 seats. But this could change in January when the two separate run-offs are held in Georgia.

In both races, a Republican incumbent faces a Democratic newcomer: Senator David Perdue, 70, will compete against Jon Ossoff, 33, a documentary filmmaker, while Senator Kelly Loeffler, 50, is up against Rev Raphael Warnock, 51, a senior pastor at an Atlanta Baptist church.

Recent polls suggest Mr Warnock is pulling ahead of Ms Loeffler, while the Perdue-Ossoff race in a dead heat.

• Georgia starts voting in pivotal senate battle
• Trump campaigns in crucial Senate battleground

If the Democrats win both seats, the Senate will be evenly divided - but it will still be a win for the Democrats. US vice-presidents have the power to cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate, meaning that with Vice-President-elect Harris on board, Democrats would effectively control both chambers.

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2020-12-15 18:39:00Z
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US election: Top Trump ally breaks silence to congratulate Biden - BBC News

A top member of US President Donald Trump's Republican Party, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has congratulated Joe Biden on winning the presidential election last month.

Senator McConnell spoke after the electoral college formally confirmed Mr Biden's victory over Mr Trump.

The Democrat won 306 electoral college votes to Mr Trump's 232.

President Trump still refuses to concede, making unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud.

• The people who ultimately pick the US president
• What Biden's victory means for rest of world
• 'Let's work together!' World reacts to Biden win

Relations with the Senate, currently controlled by the Republicans, will be crucial to Mr Biden's presidency.

On Tuesday, he travels to Georgia to campaign for the Democrats in next month's Senate run-off elections. Two seats will be decided on 5 January and could decide whether or not his party takes control of the chamber. Democrats already control the House of Representatives.

Formal confirmation of his victory prompted several international leaders finally to come forward with their congratulations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Putin offers Biden late congratulation on poll win

What did McConnell say?

Speaking on the Senate floor, Mr McConnell said: "Today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden."

Also congratulating Mr Biden's running-mate, Kamala Harris, he added: "All Americans can take pride that our nation has a female vice president-elect for the very first time."

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged Mr Trump to "end his term with a modicum of grace and dignity".

"For the sake of our democracy, for the sake of peaceful transition of power, he should stop the shenanigans, stop the misrepresentations and acknowledge that Joe Biden will be our next president," he said.

It took more than a month, but Mitch McConnell is now acknowledging the obvious - that Joe Biden will be the next US president.

Upon Donald Trump's departure from the White House, the Senate majority leader will become the senior-most Republican officeholder in the US, so his congratulations to the Democratic president-elect are meaningful.

Reuters

They will give cover to other members of Congress who may have been holding their tongues lest they draw Donald Trump's ire. It may allow the presidential transition process to unroll in a more traditional manner - at least where relations between Congress and the incoming administration are concerned.

With Mr McConnell now accepting Joe Biden's victory, President Trump's final play - challenging his election loss in Congress on 6 January - also becomes more pointless. Not only will it be blocked by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, it seems unlikely to find any traction in the Senate.

Now the waiting for the Trump response begins. Will he shrug off Mr McConnell's words or add him to the growing list of enemies within his own party that must be confronted and condemned?

The president's next words and actions could reveal the depth of the political turmoil facing the party in the days ahead.

President Trump does not appear to be changing his stance. Tweeting on Tuesday, he said without offering evidence that "tremendous evidence" of voter fraud was "pouring in".

What happens in Georgia?

When Mr Biden takes over the White House on 20 January, he will be looking for the support of both chambers of Congress to carry out his election promises.

While Democrats control the House, in the Senate Mr McConnell's party has 52 of the 100 seats. But this could change in January when the two separate run-offs are held in Georgia.

In both races, a Republican incumbent faces a Democratic newcomer: Senator David Perdue, 70, will compete against Jon Ossoff, 33, a documentary filmmaker, while Senator Kelly Loeffler, 50, is up against Rev Raphael Warnock, 51, a senior pastor at an Atlanta Baptist church.

Recent polls suggest Mr Warnock is pulling ahead of Ms Loeffler, while the Perdue-Ossoff race in a dead heat.

• Georgia starts voting in pivotal senate battle
• Trump campaigns in crucial Senate battleground

If the Democrats win both seats, the Senate will be evenly divided - but it will still be a win for the Democrats. US vice-presidents have the power to cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate, meaning that with Vice-President-elect Harris on board, Democrats would effectively control both chambers.

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2020-12-15 17:16:00Z
52781239578227

US election: Top Trump ally breaks silence to congratulate Biden - BBC News

Reuters

A top member of US President Donald Trump's Republican Party, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has congratulated Joe Biden on winning the presidential election last month.

Senator McConnell spoke after the electoral college formally confirmed Mr Biden's victory over Mr Trump.

The Democrat won 306 electoral college votes to Mr Trump's 232.

President Trump still refuses to concede, making unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud.

• The people who ultimately pick the US president
• What Biden's victory means for rest of world
• 'Let's work together!' World reacts to Biden win

Relations with the Senate, currently controlled by the Republicans, will be crucial to Mr Biden's presidency.

On Tuesday, he travels to Georgia to campaign for the Democrats in next month's Senate run-off elections. Two seats will be decided on 5 January and could decide whether or not his party takes control of the chamber. Democrats already control the House of Representatives.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Mr McConnell said: "Today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden."

Also congratulating Mr Biden's running-mate, Kamala Harris, he added: "All Americans can take pride that our nation has a female vice president-elect for the very first time."

It took more than a month, but Mitch McConnell is now acknowledging the obvious - that Joe Biden will be the next US president.

Upon Donald Trump's departure from the White House, the Senate majority leader will become the senior-most Republican officeholder in the US, so his congratulations to the Democratic president-elect are meaningful.

They will give cover to other members of Congress who may have been holding their tongues lest they draw Donald Trump's ire. It may allow the presidential transition process to unroll in a more traditional manner - at least where relations between Congress and the incoming administration are concerned.

With Mr McConnell now accepting Joe Biden's victory, President Trump's final play - challenging his election loss in Congress on 6 January - also becomes more pointless. Not only will it be blocked by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, it seems unlikely to find any traction in the Senate.

Now the waiting for the Trump response begins. Will he shrug off Mr McConnell's words or add him to the growing list of enemies within his own party that must be confronted and condemned?

The president's next words and actions could reveal the depth of the political turmoil facing the party in the days ahead.

President Trump does not appear to be changing his stance.

Tweeting on Tuesday, he said without offering evidence that "tremendous evidence" of voter fraud was "pouring in".

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2020-12-15 16:29:00Z
52781239578227

US election: Putin congratulates Biden after electoral college win - BBC News

Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has become one of the last world leaders to congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden on his victory.

The Kremlin had said it would wait for official results from November's vote before recognising the victory.

Democrat Biden won November's contest with 306 electoral college votes to the Republican incumbent's 232.

Mr Trump still refuses to concede, making unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud.

Confirmation by the electoral college was one of the steps required for Mr Biden to take office.

In a blow to Mr Trump, one of his main Republican allies, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, congratulated Mr Biden on Monday.

• The people who ultimately pick the US president
• What Biden's victory means for rest of world
• 'Let's work together!' World reacts to Biden win

Most world leaders congratulated Mr Biden within days of the 3 November poll, when it was clear he had defeated Mr Trump.

Mr Biden and Mr Putin had frosty relations when the former served as vice-president under Barack Obama.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has also finally congratulated Mr Biden but Brazil's President, Jair Bolsonaro, has still not done so, nor has North Korea's Kim Jong-un.

What did Putin say in his message?

According to a Kremlin statement, Mr Putin wished Mr Biden every success and said he was "ready for collaboration and contacts with you".

He "expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which have a special responsibility for global security and stability, could, despite their differences, really help to solve the many problems and challenges facing the world", the statement added.

Reuters

But analysts say Mr Biden, who describes Mr Putin as an autocrat, is expected to take a tougher line on Russia than Mr Trump.

Russia has faced accusations of interference in the 2016 US election to help get Mr Trump elected.

In US-Russian relations, personal chemistry is so important. Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan had it. Boris Yeltsin and Bill Clinton, too. Putin and Biden? Don't hold your breath.

On a trip to Moscow in his capacity as vice-president, Mr Biden concluded that Mr Putin had no soul. More recently he's labelled Russia the greatest threat to America. Doesn't sound promising, does it?

It doesn't help that Vladimir Putin waited so long to congratulate America's new leader. The Kremlin claimed it was doing things by the book, simply waiting for the official result. But the delay smacks of sour grapes.

There's little doubt the Russian authorities would have preferred Donald Trump to be re-elected. Not that US-Russian relations flourished under his administration but at least he avoided criticising Russia and its leader. Plus, the weakening of the Western alliance under President Trump was viewed positively by Russian officials.

Moscow is bracing itself for a tougher US approach to Russia and, possibly, additional sanctions. But whatever political, ideological or personal differences they may have, Presidents Biden and Putin will need to develop some kind of working relationship. There are issues of global importance - like arms control - where co-operation between Russia and America is vital.

While Mr Putin waited nearly a month and a half before congratulating Mr Biden, in 2016 he congratulated Mr Trump on his victory the day after the vote.

How did Biden greet confirmation of his win?

In a speech after the announcement, he said it was "time to turn the page". US democracy had been "pushed, tested and threatened", he said, but it had "proved to be resilient, true and strong".

He condemned Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the result, referring to the president's efforts to question the outcome and his legal challenges which have been rejected by courts across the country.

"Respecting the will of the people is at the heart of our democracy, even when we find those results hard to accept," Mr Biden said, speaking in Delaware.

"The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago," he added. "And we know that nothing not even a pandemic or an abuse of power can extinguish that flame."

He also warned that, with the coronavirus pandemic continuing to ravage the US, there would be difficult months ahead.

"There is urgent work in front of us," he said. "Getting this pandemic under control and getting the nation vaccinated against this virus."

He was speaking as the Covid death toll in the US - the country worst affected by the virus - rose above 300,000.

What happens next?

The results of the voting process will be sent to Washington DC and formally counted in a joint session of Congress on 6 January presided over by Vice-President Mike Pence.

That will pave the way for Joe Biden to be sworn in as president on 20 January.

On Tuesday, Mr Biden travels to Georgia to campaign for the Democrats in next month's Senate elections. Two seats will be decided on 5 January and could decide whether or not his party takes control of the chamber.

• Georgia starts voting in pivotal senate battle

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2020-12-15 15:29:00Z
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