Thread by @digiphile

Unlike in 2008 & 2016, the @USGSA administrator has declined to authorize the funding Congress appropriated to get the presidential transition running: washingtonpost.com/politics/trump…
@Transition46 has 73 days left; every day matters.
TBD what, if any, hidden pressures @GSAEmily is under

Congress in 1963: “Any disruption occasioned by the transfer of the executive power could produce results detrimental to the safety and well-being of the United States & its people.” govinfo.gov/content/pkg/ST…
That is what happened in 2000, with harms in 2001, & is happening now.

Congress specifically gave the @USGSA administrator discretion to decide to release funds in the event of a close election — NOT a @potus or @whitehouse — when the candidates are “apparently successful,” or to withhold them if there’s doubt. brookings.edu/testimonies/im…

As Paul Light testified to Congress, a close election is not enough to merit a denial of funds without further explanation as to how such this election is similar to past elections: brookings.edu/testimonies/im… While she has discretion, @GSAEmily needs to explain her decision to us.

If @stevenmnuchin1 authorized the @SecretService to protect a candidate as if he is the PEOTUS, @GSAEmily should tell Congress & Americans why she is justified in not doing the same. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/ST… @SpeakerPelosi should demand an answer, now. Time is short: 72 days LEFT.

There is a fake letter from @GSAEmily circulating online. Someone tweeted it at me, & I'm posted it with a strikethrough (like @JaneLytv @daveyalba do.)

The @USGSA told @Newsweek that "an ascertainment has not yet been made." newsweek.com/gsa-transition…

The Trump @WhiteHouse is blocking the presidential transition, telling agencies not to cooperate with @Transition46: washingtonpost.com/politics/trump…
The WH told officials not to cooperate until @USGSA confirmed election.
GSA told @Newsweek it’s not GSA’s role to decide.
FUBAR.
71 days.

4 former heads of @DHSgov (@GovRidge, Napolitano, Johnson, & Chertoff) say the election is over, a peaceful transition of power is essential to national security, & the transition must start now.

@GSAEmily, make the call.

The winner is “apparent.”

5th risks increase every day

In a letter to @GSAEmily, @BillPascrell @GerryConnolly @repdinatitus demanded she answer their questions, release funds appropriated for this purpose, & cease obstructing @Transition46 pascrell.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…
Time to draft subpoenas, @OversightDems. Use power, or fail to gain it.

“the role of the @USGSA administrator in this matter should be straightforward, & there is no valid reason for her to wait”-@rgoodlaw @kateashaw1
justsecurity.org/73317/the-gsas… This POTUS won’t concede. National security risks are real, & growing.
Act, @GSAEmily: the world is watching

“When Mr. Trump objects to the… results, he does so as one of the candidates who participated in the election, not as the nation’s Chief Executive”—@FEC commissioner, to @GSAEmily
“His objections carry no official weight & they should not sway you from your duty under the law”

https://twitter.com/ellenlweintraub/status/1326275176791683072

“There has been no doubt since Saturday that @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris are the apparent successful candidates for the office of @POTUS & @VP”-@FEC Commissioner @EllenLWeintraub, calling on @GSAEmily to immediately issue an ascertainment letter to @Transition46.

“One thing that is different in this election — unprecedented in American history — is that the incumbent @potus has so far refused to concede the election he has apparently lost”—@EllenLWeintraub
The @FEC commissioner says Trump’s objection is irrelevant to @GSAEmily’s decision

No @POTUS in American history has lost re-election, refused to concede defeat, lied about widespread fraud, & abused state power to keep power
nytimes.com/2020/11/10/us/…
“Trump is yet again in a historical category of his own — & this time, it is ominous for democracy.”-@BeschlossDC