The White House on Monday defended President Biden from accusations by President-elect Donald Trump that he is undermining the transition process.
During a gaggle with reporters aboard Air Force Once, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Mr. Biden is committed to ensuring a smooth transition process.
“He believes in doing the right thing for this country, the right thing for the American people and he believes in the peaceful transfer of power,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said. “Our mandate has been from this president is to make sure that we provide an efficient transfer — transition— to the next administration. It is important to do that so the American people can have a continuing democracy that works for all of us.”
Ms. Jean-Pierre said Mr. Biden demonstrated his commitment to a smooth transition by inviting Mr. Trump to the White House and meeting with him for more than two hours after the Republican won the election. She reminded reporters that Mr. Trump did not extend the same courtesy to Mr. Biden in 2020.
In a social media post Monday, Mr. Trump blasted Mr. Biden, saying his recent executive orders and other acts to cement his legacy have sabotaged the transition.
“Biden is doing everything possible to make the transition as difficult [as] possible, from lawfare such as never been seen before to costly and ridiculous Executive Orders on the Green New Scam and other money-wasting Hoaxes,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
SEE ALSO: Trump accuses Biden of sabotaging presidential transition
Mr. Trump’s comment follows the president’s announcement that he would block new drilling off the entire East Coast as well as California, Oregon and Washington State, and block some drilling off Alaska’s coast in portions of the North Bering Sea and the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The move comes just two weeks before Mr. Trump, who has vowed to increase domestic drilling, is sworn into office. He vowed in his social media post that Mr. Biden’s orders “will be terminated shortly.”
Mr. Trump’s claims that the Biden administration has been unhelpful were directly contradicted by his incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles.
In an interview published Monday with Axios, Ms. Wiles said the White House had been helpful during the transition process. She described White House chief of staff Jeff Zients as “very helpful” and “very professional.”
“He has made great suggestions, helped make sure we stay on time with required functions, helped us navigate the labyrinth that is the Executive Office of the President,” she said.
“He introduced me to the ‘former chief of staff’ club and even hosted a dinner [for Ms. Wiles and the former chiefs] at his beautiful home,” she added.
SEE ALSO: Biden gets testy with the press in his waning White House days
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.