Emily Murphy, the once-obscure administrator of the General Services Administration, finally authorized the transition process between President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden on Monday.
That means millions of dollars in funds can be released to help set things up for the new administration and provide briefings on an array of domestic and international matters. It also meant Twitter users could let loose on her.
Murphy, a Trump appointee, has been the target of scathing and intensifying criticism for delaying her needed approval of the transition process even after it became clear less than a week after the Nov. 3 election that Biden had won. Trump and his allies have pursued baseless and futile challenges to the outcome ― both in the courts and rhetorically ― prompting speculation that Murphy was doing the president’s bidding.
In her Monday announcement to Biden via a letter that the transition would begin, Murphy insisted the Trump administration didn’t pressure her to delay the process:
“Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and the available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official — including those who work at the White House or GSA — with regard to the substance or timing of my decision.”
As of Monday evening Biden hadn’t commented on Murphy’s decision to belatedly do her job. But many Twitter users had strong opinions about her letter, specifically its tone.
Spoiler alert: they weren’t impressed.
Trump, as is his wont, also seemed to undercut Murphy’s contention that she had acted independently in a pair of Twitter posts:
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