Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed shock and outrage at the storming of the US Capitol in Washington by supporters of President Donald Trump.

World leaders condemn riots and violence at US Capitol

A South Korean tank was seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian forces say the ship held because it was polluting the Persian gulf with chemicals but only the naive would believe that justification. Iran was flexing its dominance in the area and in doing so, sending a clear signal to both South Korea and more importantly the US.

This development comes amid rising tension between Iran and the outgoing Trump administration.

On Monday, Iran resumed enriching uranium once again. This a significant breach of the 2015 nuclear accord and was done to retaliate against Washington. The US had withdrawn from the agreement in 2019 and reimposed sanctions against Tehran.

In another showcase of its military might, today Iran began a massive military drone exercise.&nbsp;This is the first large-scale drone-only drill that Iran is known to have conducted.

Have a look|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/year-after-soleimani-killing-iran-unleashes-kamikaze-drones-amid-tensions-with-us-354630">Year after Soleimani killing, Iran unleashes 'kamikaze' drones amid tensions with US</a>

Iran is also angry about the killing of its top nuclear scientist&nbsp;which Tehran blames on Israel, an ally of the US.

So how did South Korea, a small country in Asia get caught up in the middle of Iran-US tensions?

On Monday, a South Korean oil tanker was travelling from Saudi Arabia to the UAE when it was flanked by Iran's revolutionary guards.&nbsp;It was escorted by Iranian forces to the port city of Bandar abbas.

All this occurred in a narrow stretch of sea called the Strait of Hormuz. Just around 21 miles wide, this strip of sea between Oman and Iran is the most sensitive choke point for all global oil supply. All tankers carrying crude oil from ports on the Persian Gulf must pass through this strait.

In 2018, the daily oil flow in this area averaged 21 million barrels per day. This is the equivalent of about 21 per cent of global petroleum consumption.

This is not the first time that Iran has seized ships of other countries. It has a history of seizing ships, especially if they belong to countries which have disputes with Tehran, and South Korea is currently not in Iran's good books.

South Korea is withholding billions of dollars of Iranian oil export revenue. Seoul is following US sanctions against Iran. South Korea demanded the immediate release of its vessel and dispatched its own forces to the area.

This comes just days ahead of a planned visit by South Korea's deputy foreign minister to Tehran.

Analysts say seizing the oil tanker was Iran's bid to force South Korea to come to the table and discuss repatriation of the Iranian money. So far Iran remains defiant.

A government&nbsp;spokesperson today said it's the Korean government holding Iranian money hostage.&nbsp;"If there is any hostage-taking, it is Korea's government that is holding more than $7 billion, which belongs to us, hostage on baseless grounds," said&nbsp;Iranian government spokesman.

However, Iran's move might have backfired as a South Korean foreign official has said that the deputy foreign minister's visit was now up in the air and the country's focus was now to free the 20 crew members of the ship.

A South Korean tank was seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian forces say the ship held because it was polluting the Persian gulf with chemicals but only the naive would believe that justification.

A South Korean tank was seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian forces say the ship held because it was polluting the Persian gulf with chemicals but only the naive would believe that justification. Iran was flexing its dominance in the area and in doing so, sending a clear signal to both South Korea and more importantly the US. This development comes amid rising tension between Iran and the outgoing Trump administration. On Monday, Iran resumed enriching uranium once again. This a significant breach of the 2015 nuclear accord and was done to retaliate against Washington. The US had withdrawn from the agreement in 2019 and reimposed sanctions against Tehran. In another showcase of its military might, today Iran began a massive military drone exercise. This is the first large-scale drone-only drill that Iran is known to have conducted. Have a look| Year after Soleimani killing, Iran unleashes 'kamikaze' drones amid tensions with US Iran is also angry about the killing of its top nuclear scientist which Tehran blames on Israel, an ally of the US. So how did South Korea, a small country in Asia get caught up in the middle of Iran-US tensions? On Monday, a South Korean oil tanker was travelling from Saudi Arabia to the UAE when it was flanked by Iran's revolutionary guards. It was escorted by Iranian forces to the port city of Bandar abbas. All this occurred in a narrow stretch of sea called the Strait of Hormuz. Just around 21 miles wide, this strip of sea between Oman and Iran is the most sensitive choke point for all global oil supply. All tankers carrying crude oil from ports on the Persian Gulf must pass through this strait. In 2018, the daily oil flow in this area averaged 21 million barrels per day. This is the equivalent of about 21 per cent of global petroleum consumption. This is not the first time that Iran has seized ships of other countries. It has a history of seizing ships, especially if they belong to countries which have disputes with Tehran, and South Korea is currently not in Iran's good books. South Korea is withholding billions of dollars of Iranian oil export revenue. Seoul is following US sanctions against Iran. South Korea demanded the immediate release of its vessel and dispatched its own forces to the area. This comes just days ahead of a planned visit by South Korea's deputy foreign minister to Tehran. Analysts say seizing the oil tanker was Iran's bid to force South Korea to come to the table and discuss repatriation of the Iranian money. So far Iran remains defiant. A government spokesperson today said it's the Korean government holding Iranian money hostage. "If there is any hostage-taking, it is Korea's government that is holding more than $7 billion, which belongs to us, hostage on baseless grounds," said Iranian government spokesman. However, Iran's move might have backfired as a South Korean foreign official has said that the deputy foreign minister's visit was now up in the air and the country's focus was now to free the 20 crew members of the ship.

Enriching uranium, showcase of drones and seizing South Korean tank: Iran shows its military might

U.S. President Donald Trump pressured Georgia's top election official to "find" enough votes to overturn his defeat in the southern state, according to a recording of the hour-long call published by U.S. media on Sunday (January 3).

Donald Trump pressures Georgia official to 'find' votes to overturn election

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday not to be "trapped" by an alleged Israeli plan to provoke a war through attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.

Fineprint: Iran's Foreign Minister urges Trump to avoid Israel 'trap' to provoke war

The veteran US lawmaker Ted Cruz and a few others have declared they would not be willing to vote next week to certify the President-elect Joe Biden's US election 2020 win, which is being considered one last try by the Republican party to make the outgoing President Donald Trump spin the election result.

Growing number of Republicans backing Donald Trump

After weeks of vowing to win his fight to remain in office, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a video on Thursday looking back on what he called "historic victories" and said: "We have to be remembered for what's been done."

Donald Trump: We have to be remembered for what's been done

The leader of majority in US Senate - Mitch McConnell on Tuesday delayed the vote on increasing coronavirus relief cheques from $2000 to $600, challenging fellow Republican and incumbent President Donald Trump’s calls for increase the stimulus amount.

Earlier, US House of Representatives - with Democrat majority gave the green light to the jump, which was perhaps the first instance of Democrats supporting a move by Trump.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-judge-orders-two-georgia-counties-to-halt-voter-purge-353246/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

McConnell also urged senators to override Trump’s veto of a defence bill, which marks a rare challenge within the Republican Party.

On Tuesday, Trump attacked Republican leaders, asking them to increase the cheques, while urging them to support his veto of the defense bill, which he wants scrapped because of the legal protections it gives to social media companies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/in-rare-agreement-with-trump-democrat-led-us-house-approves-demand-for-increasing-coronavirus-relief-amount-353044" hreflang="en">In rare agreement with Trump, Democrat-led US House approves demand for increasing coronavirus relief amount</a>

Trump had tweeted that the Senate ought to approve higher stimulus amount as soon as possible, ‘’unless Republicans have a death wish’’.

Next week, the control of US Senate will be determined in the Georgia run offs.

Many Republican senators support raising the amount of stimulus cheques, including two who are running in the Georgia races - David Purdue, and Kelly Loeffler.

But many Republicans worry about its cost to taxpayers, and remain opposed to the move.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-house-approves-bill-to-widen-marijuana-research-348722" hreflang="en">US House approves bill to widen marijuana research</a>

Democrats, who have lent support to the $2000 cheques believe that this will play into their favour in Georgia.

On Tuesday, McConnell introduced a bill which combined $2,000 cheques with a provision to scrap legal protections for social media companies, and another which refers to the study of election security.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that election fraud led to his loss, with no evidence.

The leader of majority in US Senate - Mitch McConnell on Tuesday delayed the vote on increasing coronavirus relief cheques from $2000 to $600, challenging fellow Republican and incumbent President Donald Trump’s calls for increase the stimulus amount.

The leader of majority in US Senate - Mitch McConnell on Tuesday delayed the vote on increasing coronavirus relief cheques from $2000 to $600, challenging fellow Republican and incumbent President Donald Trump’s calls for increase the stimulus amount. Earlier, US House of Representatives - with Democrat majority gave the green light to the jump, which was perhaps the first instance of Democrats supporting a move by Trump. McConnell also urged senators to override Trump’s veto of a defence bill, which marks a rare challenge within the Republican Party. On Tuesday, Trump attacked Republican leaders, asking them to increase the cheques, while urging them to support his veto of the defense bill, which he wants scrapped because of the legal protections it gives to social media companies. Also read: In rare agreement with Trump, Democrat-led US House approves demand for increasing coronavirus relief amount Trump had tweeted that the Senate ought to approve higher stimulus amount as soon as possible, ‘’unless Republicans have a death wish’’. Next week, the control of US Senate will be determined in the Georgia run offs. Many Republican senators support raising the amount of stimulus cheques, including two who are running in the Georgia races - David Purdue, and Kelly Loeffler. But many Republicans worry about its cost to taxpayers, and remain opposed to the move. Also read: US House approves bill to widen marijuana research Democrats, who have lent support to the $2000 cheques believe that this will play into their favour in Georgia. On Tuesday, McConnell introduced a bill which combined $2,000 cheques with a provision to scrap legal protections for social media companies, and another which refers to the study of election security. Trump has repeatedly claimed that election fraud led to his loss, with no evidence.

Countering Trump, Republican McConnell puts off Senate vote on increasing stimulus cheques to $2000

The institution of the Dalai Lama has its foundation on reincarnation. Traditionally, the Dalai Lama has always chosen his successor. China now wants to cherry-pick the next Tibetan spiritual leader. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why.

Gravitas: Will China pick the next Dalai Lama?

US President Donald Trump has signed a bill that reaffirms the right of Tibetans to pick the next Dalai Lama. The law also includes a demand for a consulate in Tibet. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how 5 provisions of this new law strengthen the 'Free Tibet' campaign.

Gravitas: US to demand a consulate in Tibet

From re-education camps to the destruction of places of worship - China is waging an assault on the identity of Tibetans. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you what China is doing to Tibet.

Gravitas: How China is waging an assault on the Tibetan identity

The package providing coronavirus emergency response and relief is part of a larger spending bill that, with Trump's signature, will avoid a government shutdown

Donald Trump signs COVID-19 relief and spending bill

U.S: Donald Trump signs $2.3 trillion COVID-19 aid bill

China expressed anger on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law measures to further bolster support for Taiwan and Tibet, which had been included in a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package.

WION Dispatch: Trump reaffirms Tibetans' right to choose successor

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Saturday committed to work on a humane strategy to regional migration by addressing its root causes in Central America and southern Mexico.

Joe Biden promises to reverse Trump's immigration policies

Donald Trump is on a pardon spree. Allies, loyalists and family members close to Donald Trump are being pardoned. This includes the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Is the US President misusing the #PresidentialPardon? Palki Sharma Upadhyay has a report.

Gravitas: Donald Trump is on a pardon spree

They were convicted in 2014 after a months-long trial in Washington’s federal court, and each man defiantly asserted his innocence at a sentencing hearing the following year.

Donald Trump pardons 4 Blackwater guards convicted of 2007 Iraq massacre

President Donald Trump on Friday signed legislation that would kick Chinese companies off U.S. stock exchanges unless they adhere to American auditing standards, the White House said, giving the Republican one more tool to threaten Beijing with before leaving office next month.

"The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act" bars securities of foreign companies from being listed on any U.S. exchange if they have failed to comply with the U.S. Public Accounting Oversight Board`s audits for three years in a row.

While it applies to companies from any country, the legislation`s sponsors intended it to target Chinese companies listed in the United States, such as Alibaba&nbsp;, tech firm Pinduoduo Inc and oil giant PetroChina Co Ltd.

The legislation, like many others taking a harder line on Chinese businesses, had passed Congress by large margins earlier this year. Lawmakers - both Democrats and Trump`s fellow Republicans - echo the president`s hard line against Beijing, which became fiercer this year as Trump blamed China for the coronavirus ravaging the United States.

The act would also require public companies to disclose whether they are owned or controlled by a foreign government. 
Chinese officials have dismissed the measure as a discriminatory policy that politically oppresses Chinese firms.

Chinese authorities have long been reluctant to let overseas regulators inspect local accounting firms, citing national security concerns.

President Donald Trump on Friday signed legislation that would kick Chinese companies off U.S. stock exchanges unless they adhere to American auditing standards, the White House said, giving the Republican one more tool to threaten Beijing with before leaving office next month.

President Donald Trump on Friday signed legislation that would kick Chinese companies off U.S. stock exchanges unless they adhere to American auditing standards, the White House said, giving the Republican one more tool to threaten Beijing with before leaving office next month. "The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act" bars securities of foreign companies from being listed on any U.S. exchange if they have failed to comply with the U.S. Public Accounting Oversight Board`s audits for three years in a row. While it applies to companies from any country, the legislation`s sponsors intended it to target Chinese companies listed in the United States, such as Alibaba , tech firm Pinduoduo Inc and oil giant PetroChina Co Ltd. The legislation, like many others taking a harder line on Chinese businesses, had passed Congress by large margins earlier this year. Lawmakers - both Democrats and Trump`s fellow Republicans - echo the president`s hard line against Beijing, which became fiercer this year as Trump blamed China for the coronavirus ravaging the United States. The act would also require public companies to disclose whether they are owned or controlled by a foreign government. Chinese officials have dismissed the measure as a discriminatory policy that politically oppresses Chinese firms. Chinese authorities have long been reluctant to let overseas regulators inspect local accounting firms, citing national security concerns.

Trump signs bill that could kick Chinese firms off US stock exchanges

President-elect Joe Biden tore into Donald Trump on Monday with his strongest criticism since the election, saying the Republican and his allies defied the constitution and the "will of the people" in not accepting the results.

"It's a position so extreme we've never seen it before. A position that refused to respect the will of the people refused to respect the rule of law, and refused to honour our constitution," Biden said in a speech after the Electoral College formally confirmed his victory.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/trump-vows-to-reject-defense-bill-passed-by-veto-proof-majority-349569" hreflang="en">Trump vows to reject defense bill passed by veto-proof majority</a>

Biden was referring to a Republican lawsuit, supported by Trump, that sought to overturn Biden's wins in several key states, but which was rejected by the Supreme Court last Friday.

Biden praised voters for turning out in record numbers despite fears of Covid-19 and "enormous political pressure, verbal abuse and even threats of physical violence" against those running the elections.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/misogynistic-op-ed-urging-incoming-first-lady-jill-biden-to-drop-dr-stirs-a-furore-on-social-media-349673">&nbsp;'Misogynistic' op-ed urging incoming First Lady Jill Biden to drop 'Dr.' stirs a furore on social media</a>

"The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago. And we now know nothing, not even a pandemic or an abuse of power can extinguish that," Biden said.

"It is my sincere hope we never again see anyone subjected to the kind of threats and abuse we saw in this election," Biden said, calling the harassment of officials "unconscionable."

Biden said that Trump has had full opportunity to contest the results in court and "in every case no cause or evidence was found to reverse or question or dispute."

Biden lashed out at the Republican Party for standing behind Trump's evidence-free claims of mass fraud. But he said the Supreme Court last week sent "a clear signal."

Following the Electoral College vote, Biden said, "It’s time to turn the page."

"I'm convinced we can work together for the good of the nation," he said.

President-elect Joe Biden tore into Donald Trump on Monday with his strongest criticism since the election, saying the Republican and his allies defied the constitution and the "will of the people" in not accepting the results.

President-elect Joe Biden tore into Donald Trump on Monday with his strongest criticism since the election, saying the Republican and his allies defied the constitution and the "will of the people" in not accepting the results. "It's a position so extreme we've never seen it before. A position that refused to respect the will of the people refused to respect the rule of law, and refused to honour our constitution," Biden said in a speech after the Electoral College formally confirmed his victory. Also read: Trump vows to reject defense bill passed by veto-proof majority Biden was referring to a Republican lawsuit, supported by Trump, that sought to overturn Biden's wins in several key states, but which was rejected by the Supreme Court last Friday. Biden praised voters for turning out in record numbers despite fears of Covid-19 and "enormous political pressure, verbal abuse and even threats of physical violence" against those running the elections. Also read| 'Misogynistic' op-ed urging incoming First Lady Jill Biden to drop 'Dr.' stirs a furore on social media "The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago. And we now know nothing, not even a pandemic or an abuse of power can extinguish that," Biden said. "It is my sincere hope we never again see anyone subjected to the kind of threats and abuse we saw in this election," Biden said, calling the harassment of officials "unconscionable." Biden said that Trump has had full opportunity to contest the results in court and "in every case no cause or evidence was found to reverse or question or dispute." Biden lashed out at the Republican Party for standing behind Trump's evidence-free claims of mass fraud. But he said the Supreme Court last week sent "a clear signal." Following the Electoral College vote, Biden said, "It’s time to turn the page." "I'm convinced we can work together for the good of the nation," he said.

Donald Trump ‘refused to respect the will of the people’, says Joe Biden 

Support for President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his election loss began to collapse in the Senate on Monday after the Electoral College certified President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, with many top Republicans saying the time had come to recognize results that have been evident for weeks.

While they insisted that Trump could still challenge the results in court, the senators said the certification should be considered the effective conclusion of an election that has fiercely divided the country. And after weeks of silence as Trump and others in their party sought to overturn the results in increasingly extreme ways, some urged their colleagues to move on.

“I understand there are people who feel strongly about the outcome of this election, but in the end, at some point, you have to face the music,” Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Republicans’ No. 2 in the Senate, told reporters in the Capitol. “And I think once the Electoral College settles the issue today, it’s time for everybody to move on.”

Even Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who initially fanned Trump’s claims of fraud in key battleground states, said he now saw only “a very, very narrow path for the president” and had spoken with Biden and some of his likely Cabinet nominees.

“I don’t see how it gets there from here, given what the Supreme Court did,” he added, referring to the justices’ decision Friday to reject a long-shot suit by Texas seeking to overturn the results in a handful of states Biden won.

The comments amounted to a notable and swift sea change in a body that for weeks has essentially refused to acknowledge the inevitable, although the shift was far from unanimous. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate majority leader, stayed conspicuously silent Monday, declining to acknowledge Biden’s victory. He dedicated his only public remarks to stimulus negotiations and ignored a question about the Electoral College proceeding shouted by a reporter in the Capitol.

A small group of Republican senators congratulated Biden almost immediately in November. But a majority had gone to great rhetorical lengths to avoid enraging a president who could turn their own voters against them — even as they privately conceded he had lost.

It was unclear Monday if those who relented were a harbinger of a larger shift by elected Republicans to accept Trump’s defeat, or a sign of a growing rift within the party between those willing to accept reality and those — a loyal core in the Senate and the vast majority in the House — who appear ready to follow him wherever he leads.

McConnell’s allies said that he would honor the election outcome come January, but did not want to pick a fight with Trump now, for fear of damaging Republicans’ chances in a pair of January Senate runoff elections in Georgia that will decide control of the chamber. He is also concerned, they said, that doing so could jeopardize a string of year-end legislative priorities that will require the president’s signature, including a catchall spending measure and the stimulus package to address the continuing toll of the pandemic.

But the effect has been that the most powerful Republican on Capitol Hill has, by intention or inaction, left unchecked insidious claims by Trump and those backing him undermining faith in the democratic process and Biden’s legitimacy as president.

One by one Monday, many of McConnell’s closest allies, including most of his leadership team, began to break ranks.

“I think he is president-elect, subject to whatever additional litigation is ongoing,” said Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the former second-ranking Republican, referring to Biden as the winner of the election for the first time. “I’m not aware of any.”

Cornyn sought to discourage members of his own party from challenging the electoral results further when Congress meets in a joint session in early January to tally and finalize the outcome.

“That would be a bad mistake,” he said. “I think there comes a time when you have to realize that despite your best efforts, you’ve been unsuccessful. It’s sort of the nature of these elections. You’ve got to have a winner and you’ve got to have a loser.”

Sen. Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the longest-serving Republican, captured the grudging acceptance of many of his colleagues after the Electoral College action when asked by a reporter if he now considered Biden the president-elect.

“I don’t have to — the Constitution does,” he said as he hustled to a vote. “I follow the Constitution.”

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a Republican who rode Trump’s coattails to reelection last month, called Biden the “presumptive president,” pending the outcome of any lawsuits yet unresolved.

Others were more direct.

“We’ll deal with Vice President Biden as the president-elect,” said Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, chair of the Republican Policy Committee and the congressional panel planning next year’s inauguration.

After initially dismissing a query about the Electoral College results as a “gotcha question,” Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking Republican leader, said he would “respect the result of the Electoral College vote today” even if he was disappointed.

“The presidential election is over,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a close ally of McConnell’s. “States have certified the votes. Courts have resolved disputes. The electors have voted. I hope that President Trump will put the country first.”

Still, many of Trump’s most ardent backers did not appear ready to change course.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., planned to convene a hearing Wednesday to give Trump’s claims an airing in the halls of Congress.

That posture has infuriated Democrats and even some Republicans, who warned again Monday that by pressing Trump’s false claims about the election, the party was willfully misleading voters and abetting a threat to the democratic process itself.

“It is unacceptable for political candidates to treat our election system as though we are a third-world nation and incite distrust of something so basic as the sanctity of our vote,” Rep. Paul Mitchell of Michigan wrote in a letter to Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee chair, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, the party’s top House leader.

Mitchell, a member of his party’s leadership who is retiring, released the letter shortly after his state cast its 16 electoral votes for Biden. He wrote that he was leaving the Republican Party over its refusal to accept Trump’s defeat, and warned that his colleagues were risking “long-term harm to our democracy.”

“If Republican leaders collectively sit back and tolerate unfounded conspiracy theories and ‘stop the steal’ rallies without speaking out for our electoral process, which the Department of Homeland Security said was ‘the most secure in American history,’ our nation will be damaged,” Mitchell wrote.

Support for President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his election loss began to collapse in the Senate on Monday after the Electoral College certified President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, with many top Republicans saying the time had come to recognize results that have been evident for weeks.

Support for President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his election loss began to collapse in the Senate on Monday after the Electoral College certified President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, with many top Republicans saying the time had come to recognize results that have been evident for weeks. While they insisted that Trump could still challenge the results in court, the senators said the certification should be considered the effective conclusion of an election that has fiercely divided the country. And after weeks of silence as Trump and others in their party sought to overturn the results in increasingly extreme ways, some urged their colleagues to move on. “I understand there are people who feel strongly about the outcome of this election, but in the end, at some point, you have to face the music,” Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Republicans’ No. 2 in the Senate, told reporters in the Capitol. “And I think once the Electoral College settles the issue today, it’s time for everybody to move on.” Even Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who initially fanned Trump’s claims of fraud in key battleground states, said he now saw only “a very, very narrow path for the president” and had spoken with Biden and some of his likely Cabinet nominees. “I don’t see how it gets there from here, given what the Supreme Court did,” he added, referring to the justices’ decision Friday to reject a long-shot suit by Texas seeking to overturn the results in a handful of states Biden won. The comments amounted to a notable and swift sea change in a body that for weeks has essentially refused to acknowledge the inevitable, although the shift was far from unanimous. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate majority leader, stayed conspicuously silent Monday, declining to acknowledge Biden’s victory. He dedicated his only public remarks to stimulus negotiations and ignored a question about the Electoral College proceeding shouted by a reporter in the Capitol. A small group of Republican senators congratulated Biden almost immediately in November. But a majority had gone to great rhetorical lengths to avoid enraging a president who could turn their own voters against them — even as they privately conceded he had lost. It was unclear Monday if those who relented were a harbinger of a larger shift by elected Republicans to accept Trump’s defeat, or a sign of a growing rift within the party between those willing to accept reality and those — a loyal core in the Senate and the vast majority in the House — who appear ready to follow him wherever he leads. McConnell’s allies said that he would honor the election outcome come January, but did not want to pick a fight with Trump now, for fear of damaging Republicans’ chances in a pair of January Senate runoff elections in Georgia that will decide control of the chamber. He is also concerned, they said, that doing so could jeopardize a string of year-end legislative priorities that will require the president’s signature, including a catchall spending measure and the stimulus package to address the continuing toll of the pandemic. But the effect has been that the most powerful Republican on Capitol Hill has, by intention or inaction, left unchecked insidious claims by Trump and those backing him undermining faith in the democratic process and Biden’s legitimacy as president. One by one Monday, many of McConnell’s closest allies, including most of his leadership team, began to break ranks. “I think he is president-elect, subject to whatever additional litigation is ongoing,” said Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the former second-ranking Republican, referring to Biden as the winner of the election for the first time. “I’m not aware of any.” Cornyn sought to discourage members of his own party from challenging the electoral results further when Congress meets in a joint session in early January to tally and finalize the outcome. “That would be a bad mistake,” he said. “I think there comes a time when you have to realize that despite your best efforts, you’ve been unsuccessful. It’s sort of the nature of these elections. You’ve got to have a winner and you’ve got to have a loser.” Sen. Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the longest-serving Republican, captured the grudging acceptance of many of his colleagues after the Electoral College action when asked by a reporter if he now considered Biden the president-elect. “I don’t have to — the Constitution does,” he said as he hustled to a vote. “I follow the Constitution.” Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a Republican who rode Trump’s coattails to reelection last month, called Biden the “presumptive president,” pending the outcome of any lawsuits yet unresolved. Others were more direct. “We’ll deal with Vice President Biden as the president-elect,” said Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, chair of the Republican Policy Committee and the congressional panel planning next year’s inauguration. After initially dismissing a query about the Electoral College results as a “gotcha question,” Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking Republican leader, said he would “respect the result of the Electoral College vote today” even if he was disappointed. “The presidential election is over,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a close ally of McConnell’s. “States have certified the votes. Courts have resolved disputes. The electors have voted. I hope that President Trump will put the country first.” Still, many of Trump’s most ardent backers did not appear ready to change course. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., planned to convene a hearing Wednesday to give Trump’s claims an airing in the halls of Congress. That posture has infuriated Democrats and even some Republicans, who warned again Monday that by pressing Trump’s false claims about the election, the party was willfully misleading voters and abetting a threat to the democratic process itself. “It is unacceptable for political candidates to treat our election system as though we are a third-world nation and incite distrust of something so basic as the sanctity of our vote,” Rep. Paul Mitchell of Michigan wrote in a letter to Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee chair, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, the party’s top House leader. Mitchell, a member of his party’s leadership who is retiring, released the letter shortly after his state cast its 16 electoral votes for Biden. He wrote that he was leaving the Republican Party over its refusal to accept Trump’s defeat, and warned that his colleagues were risking “long-term harm to our democracy.” “If Republican leaders collectively sit back and tolerate unfounded conspiracy theories and ‘stop the steal’ rallies without speaking out for our electoral process, which the Department of Homeland Security said was ‘the most secure in American history,’ our nation will be damaged,” Mitchell wrote.

After Electoral College votes, more Republicans warily accept Trump’s loss

US President Donald Trump lashed out at US Supreme Court after it dealt what is perceived as a final and fatal blow to his claims of fraud in US Presidential Election 2020. US Supreme Court rejected lawsuit by Texas and other states that demanded&nbsp;throwing out of election results in four states. Trump called the decision a 'legal disgrace'.

"The Supreme Court really let us down. No Wisdom, No Courage!" wrote Trump, adding in a later Tweet, "It is a legal disgrace, an embarrassment to the USA!!!"

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“We’ve not gotten any court to judge this (the vote) on its merit.” <a href="https://twitter.com/DanPatrick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanPatrick</a> of Texas. It is a legal disgrace, an embarrassment to the USA!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1337634953211817984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The decision by US Supreme Court has cleared way for US electoral college to cast its votes and formally certify Joe Biden's victory. The Electoral College will meet on Monday (December 14)

Biden, a Democrat, has amassed 306 votes to Trump's 232 in the state-by-state Electoral College, which allots votes to all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on population.

The four states in question - Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - contributed a combined 62 votes to Biden's total. To win the White House, 270 votes are needed.

Trump is yet to concede the election. Ever since it was certain that Joe Biden had defeated him in presidential elections, Trump has made baseless claims of election fraud without providing any evidence. Even when he suffered number of legal defeats prior to Supreme Court verdict, he was not willing to concede.

Trump's goal had long been for a case to reach the Supreme Court, where he had placed three new justices in his first term and where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority. The lawsuit brought by Texas and supported by 17 other states and more than 100 Republican members of Congress gave him that opportunity.

In the run-up the Nov. 3 election, Trump had pushed for the swift confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, with the publicly stated hope that she could be in a position to help rule on an election challenge.

But Barrett and the two other justices appointed by Trump - Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh - signed onto the court's order derailing the Texas suit without comment.

(With Reuters inputs)

US President Donald Trump lashed out at US Supreme Court after it dealt what is perceived as a final and fatal blow to his claims of fraud in US Presidential Election 2020.

US President Donald Trump lashed out at US Supreme Court after it dealt what is perceived as a final and fatal blow to his claims of fraud in US Presidential Election 2020. US Supreme Court rejected lawsuit by Texas and other states that demanded throwing out of election results in four states. Trump called the decision a 'legal disgrace'. "The Supreme Court really let us down. No Wisdom, No Courage!" wrote Trump, adding in a later Tweet, "It is a legal disgrace, an embarrassment to the USA!!!" “We’ve not gotten any court to judge this (the vote) on its merit.” @DanPatrick of Texas. It is a legal disgrace, an embarrassment to the USA!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2020 × The decision by US Supreme Court has cleared way for US electoral college to cast its votes and formally certify Joe Biden's victory. The Electoral College will meet on Monday (December 14) Biden, a Democrat, has amassed 306 votes to Trump's 232 in the state-by-state Electoral College, which allots votes to all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on population. The four states in question - Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - contributed a combined 62 votes to Biden's total. To win the White House, 270 votes are needed. Trump is yet to concede the election. Ever since it was certain that Joe Biden had defeated him in presidential elections, Trump has made baseless claims of election fraud without providing any evidence. Even when he suffered number of legal defeats prior to Supreme Court verdict, he was not willing to concede. Trump's goal had long been for a case to reach the Supreme Court, where he had placed three new justices in his first term and where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority. The lawsuit brought by Texas and supported by 17 other states and more than 100 Republican members of Congress gave him that opportunity. In the run-up the Nov. 3 election, Trump had pushed for the swift confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, with the publicly stated hope that she could be in a position to help rule on an election challenge. But Barrett and the two other justices appointed by Trump - Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh - signed onto the court's order derailing the Texas suit without comment. (With Reuters inputs)

'Legal disgrace', says Trump as US Supreme Court gives final blow to his election fraud claims

The Senate in USA passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - a $740 billion bill which cuts out the policy for the country’s Department of Defense.

This is specifically important due to President Donald Trump’s recent wishes to veto the act. With the overwhelming majority, the Senate has bypassed the scope of Trump’s interference.

The vote recorded in the Republican-controlled Senate was 84-13, which is more than the two-thirds majority in the house, necessary to override a veto.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-executes-another-inmate-before-trump-leaves-office-349209" hreflang="en">US executes another inmate before Trump leaves office</a>

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives, under Democratic control supported the NDAA by 335 to 78 votes.&nbsp;

The bill has become a law for the last 59 years, and critics think that bipartisan support for the bill could inspire Trump to rethink his position the matter.

A Republican chairman explained what the bill does.

"It's simple, what this&nbsp;bill&nbsp;does," said Senator Jim Inhofe, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.&nbsp;"It makes our country more secure, and it supports our troops who defend it”, he added.

But the White House claims that Trump’s position remains unchanged. Starting now, Trump has ten days to either veto or sign it. He can also allow it to become law without his signature.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-supreme-court-dismisses-trumps-bid-to-overturn-election-result-349183" hreflang="en">US Supreme Court dismisses Trump's bid to overturn election result</a>

Trump objects to the NDAA because of the protections enshrined in it for big tech companies.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects companies like Google, Twitter, and Facebook from liability for what is shown on their platforms.

Many feel that tech measures have nothing to do with defence. Additionally, they feel that Trump’s concerns should not kill legislation which is a result of a year-long work.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The Senate in USA passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - a $740 billion bill which cuts out the policy for the country’s Department of Defense.

The Senate in USA passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - a $740 billion bill which cuts out the policy for the country’s Department of Defense. This is specifically important due to President Donald Trump’s recent wishes to veto the act. With the overwhelming majority, the Senate has bypassed the scope of Trump’s interference. The vote recorded in the Republican-controlled Senate was 84-13, which is more than the two-thirds majority in the house, necessary to override a veto. Also read: US executes another inmate before Trump leaves office Earlier this week, the House of Representatives, under Democratic control supported the NDAA by 335 to 78 votes. The bill has become a law for the last 59 years, and critics think that bipartisan support for the bill could inspire Trump to rethink his position the matter. A Republican chairman explained what the bill does. "It's simple, what this bill does," said Senator Jim Inhofe, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "It makes our country more secure, and it supports our troops who defend it”, he added. But the White House claims that Trump’s position remains unchanged. Starting now, Trump has ten days to either veto or sign it. He can also allow it to become law without his signature. Also read: US Supreme Court dismisses Trump's bid to overturn election result Trump objects to the NDAA because of the protections enshrined in it for big tech companies. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects companies like Google, Twitter, and Facebook from liability for what is shown on their platforms. Many feel that tech measures have nothing to do with defence. Additionally, they feel that Trump’s concerns should not kill legislation which is a result of a year-long work. (With inputs from Reuters)

US Senate passes NDAA with enough margin to overcome Trump's veto

Twitter has become the signifier of not only one’s popularity, but also of the weight one’s voice carries. According to Twitter’s annual year-end review, the incumbent US President Donald Trump and the President-elect Joe Biden are the most talked about people in 2020.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too made it to the top 10. Coming in at #7, it means that Modi was the seventh most tweeted about person in 2020.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/twitter-other-us-tech-companies-push-back-against-eu-rules-on-illegal-online-content-348499" hreflang="en">Twitter, other US tech companies push back against EU rules on illegal online content</a>

Both Trump and Biden have been embroiled in a never-ending spat, for Trump still refuses to concede, breaking from American tradition. In fact, Trump has made unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, many of which have been rejected by provincial courts.

Many other familiar faces were spotted on the list, including US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who was the only woman on the list, and took the #10 spot globally.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/thishappened2020-modi-features-in-top-10-twitter-mentions-kohli-and-dhoni-top-trending-charts-348295" hreflang="en">#ThisHappened2020: Modi features in top 10 Twitter mentions; Kohli and Dhoni top trending charts</a> 
 
"People continued to utilize Twitter to publicly advocate for political change and demand accountability from world leaders this year. Over 700 million Tweets were sent in 2020 about elections around the world and Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Narendra Modi and Kamala Harris were among the most Tweeted-about global figures," a blog post by Twitter read. 
 
Naturally, the most used hashtag in 2020 was #COVID19. As of now, over 68 million people around the world remain infected with COVID-19, and 1.55 million people have died so far.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/twitter-expands-hate-speech-rules-covering-race-ethnicity-and-nationality-347058" hreflang="en">Twitter expands hate speech rules covering race, ethnicity and nationality</a>

Vaccines are now being rolled out at a quick pace across the globe. The United Kingdom became the first country to administer Pfizer’s vaccine, while Russia has also begun mass inoculation with its vaccine - the Sputnik V. India too hopes to begin vaccination by next year.

Meanwhile, many fear that western countries are hoarding vaccines, which may deprive developing countries of access, making global inoculation rather impossible in the next two years.

Twitter has become the signifier of not only one’s popularity, but also of the weight one’s voice carries. According to Twitter’s annual year-end review, the incumbent US President Donald Trump and the President-elect Joe Biden are the most talked about people in 2020.

Twitter has become the signifier of not only one’s popularity, but also of the weight one’s voice carries. According to Twitter’s annual year-end review, the incumbent US President Donald Trump and the President-elect Joe Biden are the most talked about people in 2020. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too made it to the top 10. Coming in at #7, it means that Modi was the seventh most tweeted about person in 2020. Also read: Twitter, other US tech companies push back against EU rules on illegal online content Both Trump and Biden have been embroiled in a never-ending spat, for Trump still refuses to concede, breaking from American tradition. In fact, Trump has made unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, many of which have been rejected by provincial courts. Many other familiar faces were spotted on the list, including US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who was the only woman on the list, and took the #10 spot globally. Also read: #ThisHappened2020: Modi features in top 10 Twitter mentions; Kohli and Dhoni top trending charts "People continued to utilize Twitter to publicly advocate for political change and demand accountability from world leaders this year. Over 700 million Tweets were sent in 2020 about elections around the world and Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Narendra Modi and Kamala Harris were among the most Tweeted-about global figures," a blog post by Twitter read. Naturally, the most used hashtag in 2020 was #COVID19. As of now, over 68 million people around the world remain infected with COVID-19, and 1.55 million people have died so far. Also read: Twitter expands hate speech rules covering race, ethnicity and nationality Vaccines are now being rolled out at a quick pace across the globe. The United Kingdom became the first country to administer Pfizer’s vaccine, while Russia has also begun mass inoculation with its vaccine - the Sputnik V. India too hopes to begin vaccination by next year. Meanwhile, many fear that western countries are hoarding vaccines, which may deprive developing countries of access, making global inoculation rather impossible in the next two years.

Modi joins Trump, Biden to become most talked about on Twitter in 2020

First Lady Melania Trump was on hand for the delivery of the White House Christmas Tree on Monday (November 23), with the 18.5 foot (5.6 meters) Fraser Fir arriving by horse-drawn carriage. Following in a tradition that goes back to 1966, Melania Trump walked out from the White House North Portico to welcome the fir, which was cut from Dan and Bryan's Tree Farm in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

White House Christmas Tree arrives; First lady Melania Trump's last Christmas at the White House

In November 2018, after a vote that did not matter enough to him to push conspiracy theories about the outcome, President Donald Trump stood in the Rose Garden and delivered the hard truth.

“This was a fair election,” he said to a bird named Carrots, sidelined at the annual White House turkey pardon after being snubbed in an online contest over which privileged poultry (Peas or Carrots) would star in the ritual. “Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount, and we’re still fighting with Carrots.”

The crowd laughed, and Trump smirked a little. Such hammy pageantry in stately settings, aides say, has long been a part of the job he especially enjoys. He gripped his lectern for the punchline, thumbs behind the presidential seal.

“We’ve come to a conclusion,” Trump said grandly. “Carrots, I’m sorry to tell you, the result did not change. It’s too bad for Carrots.”

Two years later, after an election result that was too bad for Trump, he has been less willing to accept the cold math of whom the people want to see at the White House.

In the weeks since Election Day, the president and his allies have set off on a groundless and dangerous effort to overturn the will of an electorate that rejected him, moving to undercut basic tenets of American democracy to cling to an office he did not expect to win four years ago and has not particularly treasured since, by most accounts.

On Monday, after the administrator of the General Services Administration formally designated President-elect Joe Biden as the apparent winner of the election, Trump blessed the move on Twitter while still vowing to move ahead with legal challenges.

Yet the president’s desperate gambit until this point has been so all-consuming, his aversion to losing so well known, that little attention has been paid to a knotty question underpinning it all: What, exactly, was he holding onto? Why fight so hard, and put the country through so much, to keep a position he has often not appeared to want?

In some ways, Trump had seemed to imagine his Washington life more closely resembling a rolling turkey pardon — the pomp and splendor, yes, but also a world largely amenable to his boss-man bearing and binary whims: This bird is spared. Those birds are not. He’d have his people call the turkey people and hammer out the fine print later. But through it all, his word would be final.

This instinct has likewise fueled Trump’s affection for people-pardoning: He has used his pardon and clemency powers with abandon to reward allies and others whose causes are backed by celebrities. He is still considering a wave of such pardons for the final weeks of his tenure.

But for Trump, the more consistent reality of the presidency, laced with briefings and congressional obstacles and impeachment and criticism, has never quite measured up.

He has generally relished the aspects of the job that allow him to preside over something, fowl-based or otherwise — forums well-suited to a leader for whom attention can seem less a wish than a psychic need.

The trappings and the title have plainly pleased him the most, placing him at the center of major celebrations for the mere fact of being president. He has marveled at the Bastille Day parade in Paris, taken to the “beautiful phones” at the White House and delighted in serving fast food to college football champions. In July, Trump, who has for years pressed the federal government to stage an elaborate fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, finally got his way.

He has also amused himself showing off Air Force One and the Lincoln Bedroom. Then there is the study off the Oval Office, which he converted into a small dining room — the space, he has informed guests with a twinkle, where Monica Lewinsky would visit President Bill Clinton.

Jeff Flake, a Republican former senator from Arizona who spoke forcefully against Trump before leaving office, recalled Trump’s manifest glee at posing for pictures in his workspace.

“He loves having people go into the Oval Office — him sitting with a thumbs-up and for them to stand,” he said. “He seemed to never tire of that, of showing people the Oval Office and getting that picture.”

The president’s furious bid to keep power, Flake suggested, reflected Trump’s realization that his future celebrity might never match the present. “No matter how much fame he had before, it didn’t compare,” he said. “Once he had it, it’s tough to give up.”

Certainly Trump’s predecessors have appreciated many perks of the post, holding court with favored entertainers or athletes at the White House and growing fond of their privileged temporary address. But this president has taken a more conspicuous shine to such advantages than most.

It is little secret that the mechanics of government never much animated Trump. He has been on most sides of most major political issues throughout his adult life, depending on the day. His reelection campaign barely bothered with a detailed vision for a prospective second term, focusing far more often on cultural grievance and race-baiting rally fare.

While he has effectively abdicated any leadership role in steering the nation’s coronavirus response — generally processing its devastation this year through the lens of how the pandemic would affect him politically — the president plans to see to it that the turkey pardon proceeds as scheduled Tuesday.

It stands to be one of his few public appearances in recent weeks amid runaway virus case numbers and his continued assault on the integrity of the election. Trump has maintained a light public schedule since Nov. 3 and has often seemed downcast at his handful of engagements, including an announcement about the push to develop coronavirus vaccines, which he had promoted aggressively during the campaign.

Besides his regular golf outings on the weekends, the man who has historically seemed to need human interaction for sustenance — the audience for his perpetual show — is demonstrating little interest in being around others when he cannot point to something he can credibly call a win.

But then, the image of Trump merrily addressing turkeys in this context might register as a fitting turn for an executive end-stage that has constantly commingled calamity and absurdity.

It is also something of a culmination after three years of turkey pardons that have at times doubled as surprisingly telling snapshots of Trump’s frame of mind at various points in his presidency, with cutting asides and easy smiles in equal measure.

“From what I’ve seen,” said Beth Breeding, a spokesperson for the National Turkey Federation, “the president seems to have really enjoyed them.”

At the event in 2017, as Trump was working to reverse as much of the Obama legacy as he could, he joked that the White House Counsel’s Office had reminded him that the former president’s turkey pardons could not be revoked.

In 2018, with congressional investigations looming as Democrats prepared to take control of the House, the president said he had warned Peas and Carrots that “House Democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas” despite his clemency.

And in 2019, as an impeachment inquiry and the upcoming election weighed on him, Trump opened with a bit of self-congratulation (“it’s always nice to begin by saying the stock market is up again”), allowed his mind to wander to the emotional comforts of his victory in 2016 (“very great day”) and complained bitterly about Rep. Adam B. Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee.

By the end, though, the president was fulfilling the part of the job that always made the most sense to him: master of ceremonies. He placed his hand over a turkey named Butter, used the word “hereby” to infuse the proceedings with requisite gravitas (“I hereby grant you a full and complete pardon”) and started clapping on his way back inside.

“That was great,” Trump said, watching the crowd watch him. “Lot of fun.”

In November 2018, after a vote that did not matter enough to him to push conspiracy theories about the outcome, President Donald Trump stood in the Rose Garden and delivered the hard truth.

In November 2018, after a vote that did not matter enough to him to push conspiracy theories about the outcome, President Donald Trump stood in the Rose Garden and delivered the hard truth. “This was a fair election,” he said to a bird named Carrots, sidelined at the annual White House turkey pardon after being snubbed in an online contest over which privileged poultry (Peas or Carrots) would star in the ritual. “Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount, and we’re still fighting with Carrots.” The crowd laughed, and Trump smirked a little. Such hammy pageantry in stately settings, aides say, has long been a part of the job he especially enjoys. He gripped his lectern for the punchline, thumbs behind the presidential seal. “We’ve come to a conclusion,” Trump said grandly. “Carrots, I’m sorry to tell you, the result did not change. It’s too bad for Carrots.” Two years later, after an election result that was too bad for Trump, he has been less willing to accept the cold math of whom the people want to see at the White House. In the weeks since Election Day, the president and his allies have set off on a groundless and dangerous effort to overturn the will of an electorate that rejected him, moving to undercut basic tenets of American democracy to cling to an office he did not expect to win four years ago and has not particularly treasured since, by most accounts. On Monday, after the administrator of the General Services Administration formally designated President-elect Joe Biden as the apparent winner of the election, Trump blessed the move on Twitter while still vowing to move ahead with legal challenges. Yet the president’s desperate gambit until this point has been so all-consuming, his aversion to losing so well known, that little attention has been paid to a knotty question underpinning it all: What, exactly, was he holding onto? Why fight so hard, and put the country through so much, to keep a position he has often not appeared to want? In some ways, Trump had seemed to imagine his Washington life more closely resembling a rolling turkey pardon — the pomp and splendor, yes, but also a world largely amenable to his boss-man bearing and binary whims: This bird is spared. Those birds are not. He’d have his people call the turkey people and hammer out the fine print later. But through it all, his word would be final. This instinct has likewise fueled Trump’s affection for people-pardoning: He has used his pardon and clemency powers with abandon to reward allies and others whose causes are backed by celebrities. He is still considering a wave of such pardons for the final weeks of his tenure. But for Trump, the more consistent reality of the presidency, laced with briefings and congressional obstacles and impeachment and criticism, has never quite measured up. He has generally relished the aspects of the job that allow him to preside over something, fowl-based or otherwise — forums well-suited to a leader for whom attention can seem less a wish than a psychic need. The trappings and the title have plainly pleased him the most, placing him at the center of major celebrations for the mere fact of being president. He has marveled at the Bastille Day parade in Paris, taken to the “beautiful phones” at the White House and delighted in serving fast food to college football champions. In July, Trump, who has for years pressed the federal government to stage an elaborate fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, finally got his way. He has also amused himself showing off Air Force One and the Lincoln Bedroom. Then there is the study off the Oval Office, which he converted into a small dining room — the space, he has informed guests with a twinkle, where Monica Lewinsky would visit President Bill Clinton. Jeff Flake, a Republican former senator from Arizona who spoke forcefully against Trump before leaving office, recalled Trump’s manifest glee at posing for pictures in his workspace. “He loves having people go into the Oval Office — him sitting with a thumbs-up and for them to stand,” he said. “He seemed to never tire of that, of showing people the Oval Office and getting that picture.” The president’s furious bid to keep power, Flake suggested, reflected Trump’s realization that his future celebrity might never match the present. “No matter how much fame he had before, it didn’t compare,” he said. “Once he had it, it’s tough to give up.” Certainly Trump’s predecessors have appreciated many perks of the post, holding court with favored entertainers or athletes at the White House and growing fond of their privileged temporary address. But this president has taken a more conspicuous shine to such advantages than most. It is little secret that the mechanics of government never much animated Trump. He has been on most sides of most major political issues throughout his adult life, depending on the day. His reelection campaign barely bothered with a detailed vision for a prospective second term, focusing far more often on cultural grievance and race-baiting rally fare. While he has effectively abdicated any leadership role in steering the nation’s coronavirus response — generally processing its devastation this year through the lens of how the pandemic would affect him politically — the president plans to see to it that the turkey pardon proceeds as scheduled Tuesday. It stands to be one of his few public appearances in recent weeks amid runaway virus case numbers and his continued assault on the integrity of the election. Trump has maintained a light public schedule since Nov. 3 and has often seemed downcast at his handful of engagements, including an announcement about the push to develop coronavirus vaccines, which he had promoted aggressively during the campaign. Besides his regular golf outings on the weekends, the man who has historically seemed to need human interaction for sustenance — the audience for his perpetual show — is demonstrating little interest in being around others when he cannot point to something he can credibly call a win. But then, the image of Trump merrily addressing turkeys in this context might register as a fitting turn for an executive end-stage that has constantly commingled calamity and absurdity. It is also something of a culmination after three years of turkey pardons that have at times doubled as surprisingly telling snapshots of Trump’s frame of mind at various points in his presidency, with cutting asides and easy smiles in equal measure. “From what I’ve seen,” said Beth Breeding, a spokesperson for the National Turkey Federation, “the president seems to have really enjoyed them.” At the event in 2017, as Trump was working to reverse as much of the Obama legacy as he could, he joked that the White House Counsel’s Office had reminded him that the former president’s turkey pardons could not be revoked. In 2018, with congressional investigations looming as Democrats prepared to take control of the House, the president said he had warned Peas and Carrots that “House Democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas” despite his clemency. And in 2019, as an impeachment inquiry and the upcoming election weighed on him, Trump opened with a bit of self-congratulation (“it’s always nice to begin by saying the stock market is up again”), allowed his mind to wander to the emotional comforts of his victory in 2016 (“very great day”) and complained bitterly about Rep. Adam B. Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee. By the end, though, the president was fulfilling the part of the job that always made the most sense to him: master of ceremonies. He placed his hand over a turkey named Butter, used the word “hereby” to infuse the proceedings with requisite gravitas (“I hereby grant you a full and complete pardon”) and started clapping on his way back inside. “That was great,” Trump said, watching the crowd watch him. “Lot of fun.”

What Donald Trump liked about being president

President Donald Trump has made cultivating closer ties with Taiwan a critical part of his efforts to counter China’s rising influence. He has significantly increased weapons sales to Taiwan’s military, vowed to step up economic cooperation, and generally bolstered relations with the self-ruled democratic island — even in his waning days.

His successor, President-elect Joe Biden, will most likely continue on a similar path, albeit without Trump’s characteristic pugnacity.

As concerns grow about China’s increasingly aggressive behavior on the global stage, Biden will face pressure from Democrats and Republicans to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

While Biden said little about Taiwan on the campaign trail, he has said the United States should get “tough with China” and described its top leader, Xi Jinping, as a “thug.” His transition team has already reached out to Taiwanese officials.

“If China continues to put military and economic pressure on Taiwan, Biden will have to demonstrate he will not sit by while China bullies Taiwan,” said Bonnie S. Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

His approach, though, is expected to be less confrontational than his predecessor’s. “I don’t think Biden is looking to use Taiwan to poke Xi Jinping in the eye and make him look weak,” Glaser added. “There won’t be a deliberate effort to make Taiwan a point of friction.”

With less than two months left in his term, Trump is working to leave a legacy of severed ties between the United States and China, including a series of last-minute actions focused on Taiwan.

The U.S. government last week held economic talks in Washington with officials from Taiwan, drawing a rebuke from Beijing. Next month, the White House is planning to send the leader of the Environmental Protection Agency to Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, the latest in a series of high-profile visits by U.S. officials that have rankled the Chinese government.

Trump has attracted a loyal following in Taiwan because of his administration’s criticism of the Chinese Communist Party on issues such as trade, the coronavirus and the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. He has garnered praise in Taiwan for moving swiftly to approve weapons sales, including more than $4 billion worth last month. He is also widely lauded for his decision, as president-elect in 2016, to take a telephone call from President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, breaking with decades of diplomatic practice.

“Trump’s actions have been very solid,” said Tsai Yi-yu, a lawmaker from southern Taiwan. Tsai has fervently supported Trump, going so far as to wear a “Keep America Great” face mask to meetings with Taiwan’s leaders.

“Maintaining Trump’s Taiwan policies will be best for Taiwan,” he said, citing Trump’s support for weapons sales.

In Taiwan, Biden’s ascent has been greeted with some anxiety, especially in the ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party, which is critical of China.

Many politicians and activists in Taiwan have grown increasingly concerned in recent years by Xi’s creeping authoritarianism. They have called on world leaders to more forcefully push back against efforts by Beijing to bring the island under its control, and to treat Taiwan as an equal.

Biden is seen in Taiwan as more risk averse. He is best known for his time as vice president under President Barack Obama, who has been criticized in Taiwan for not doing enough to stand up to Xi. As a senator, Biden helped bring China into international groups like the World Trade Organization, which gave the country an edge as it sought to expand its economy and exert influence in the global system.

Biden has resisted the idea that he would give in to pressure from Beijing. As evidence of Biden’s commitment to Taiwan, his advisers have cited his support as a senator for the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which obligates Washington to provide weapons to Taiwan. More recently, he has signaled his support for Taiwan in other ways, having his choice for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, for example, speak this month with Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States.

“He will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan,” an official with Biden’s transition team said in a statement. “He has long said that American support for Taiwan must remain strong, principled and bipartisan.”

Some politicians in Taiwan, including members of the opposition party, the Kuomintang, believe Biden’s more restrained approach could help ease tensions and prevent a military conflict between the United States and China.

“He is neither a reckless politician nor a person who wants to achieve something remarkable in a short period of time,” said Cheng Li-wun, a Kuomintang lawmaker.

Despite Biden’s calls for greater cooperation, China’s leaders are wary about his leadership. They worry that he will try to unite U.S. allies in Europe and Asia to thwart Beijing’s global agenda, according to analysts in the mainland, and that he will continue to seek closer ties with Taiwan.

“The basic Taiwan policies, even during Biden’s term, won’t see any upending changes,” said Xin Qiang, a scholar who studies U.S.-China relations and Taiwan at Fudan University in Shanghai. “With regard to both strategy and tactics, the mainland has concerns about both Biden and Trump.”

Chinese officials often accuse the United States of encouraging Taiwan to seek full independence, a move that Xi has repeatedly warned could be met by armed force. A rising sense of nationalism in China has fueled concerns that the mainland could react harshly if tensions escalated.

“I fear that one day the mainland will be forced to take actions because of the Taiwan issue that would cause a crisis or even a military conflict between China and the United States,” Xin said.

During his final weeks in office, Trump and his advisers appear to be intent on testing China’s limits on Taiwan.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has escalated his taunting of Beijing, saying during a recent interview that Taiwan was not a part of China. His remarks drew a furious response from Chinese officials, who said Taiwan was an inalienable part of China, denounced Pompeo and vowed to retaliate.

Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, is leading a visit to the region as part of an effort to reassure U.S. allies, after Beijing this month signed a trade agreement with 14 countries in the region, a move seen as a check to American power in the region. O’Brien said in Manila on Monday that the United States would continue to support Taiwan and would not cede its status as a Pacific power to China.

“We’re going to fight for a free and open Indo-Pacific region with all of our partners,” O’Brien said in a conference call with reporters.

When he takes office in January, Biden will face growing frictions and also tough policy choices, including questions about arms sales and economic investment. Taiwan has long pressed U.S. officials to sign a bilateral trade treaty, an idea that Beijing opposes. Tsai Ing-wen lifted a long-standing ban on U.S. pork and beef imports in August, a decision seen as an attempt to open the door to formal trade talks.

President Donald Trump has made cultivating closer ties with Taiwan a critical part of his efforts to counter China’s rising influence. He has significantly increased weapons sales to Taiwan’s military, vowed to step up economic cooperation, and generally bolstered relations with the self-ruled democratic island — even in his waning days.

President Donald Trump has made cultivating closer ties with Taiwan a critical part of his efforts to counter China’s rising influence. He has significantly increased weapons sales to Taiwan’s military, vowed to step up economic cooperation, and generally bolstered relations with the self-ruled democratic island — even in his waning days. His successor, President-elect Joe Biden, will most likely continue on a similar path, albeit without Trump’s characteristic pugnacity. As concerns grow about China’s increasingly aggressive behavior on the global stage, Biden will face pressure from Democrats and Republicans to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. While Biden said little about Taiwan on the campaign trail, he has said the United States should get “tough with China” and described its top leader, Xi Jinping, as a “thug.” His transition team has already reached out to Taiwanese officials. “If China continues to put military and economic pressure on Taiwan, Biden will have to demonstrate he will not sit by while China bullies Taiwan,” said Bonnie S. Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. His approach, though, is expected to be less confrontational than his predecessor’s. “I don’t think Biden is looking to use Taiwan to poke Xi Jinping in the eye and make him look weak,” Glaser added. “There won’t be a deliberate effort to make Taiwan a point of friction.” With less than two months left in his term, Trump is working to leave a legacy of severed ties between the United States and China, including a series of last-minute actions focused on Taiwan. The U.S. government last week held economic talks in Washington with officials from Taiwan, drawing a rebuke from Beijing. Next month, the White House is planning to send the leader of the Environmental Protection Agency to Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, the latest in a series of high-profile visits by U.S. officials that have rankled the Chinese government. Trump has attracted a loyal following in Taiwan because of his administration’s criticism of the Chinese Communist Party on issues such as trade, the coronavirus and the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. He has garnered praise in Taiwan for moving swiftly to approve weapons sales, including more than $4 billion worth last month. He is also widely lauded for his decision, as president-elect in 2016, to take a telephone call from President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, breaking with decades of diplomatic practice. “Trump’s actions have been very solid,” said Tsai Yi-yu, a lawmaker from southern Taiwan. Tsai has fervently supported Trump, going so far as to wear a “Keep America Great” face mask to meetings with Taiwan’s leaders. “Maintaining Trump’s Taiwan policies will be best for Taiwan,” he said, citing Trump’s support for weapons sales. In Taiwan, Biden’s ascent has been greeted with some anxiety, especially in the ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party, which is critical of China. Many politicians and activists in Taiwan have grown increasingly concerned in recent years by Xi’s creeping authoritarianism. They have called on world leaders to more forcefully push back against efforts by Beijing to bring the island under its control, and to treat Taiwan as an equal. Biden is seen in Taiwan as more risk averse. He is best known for his time as vice president under President Barack Obama, who has been criticized in Taiwan for not doing enough to stand up to Xi. As a senator, Biden helped bring China into international groups like the World Trade Organization, which gave the country an edge as it sought to expand its economy and exert influence in the global system. Biden has resisted the idea that he would give in to pressure from Beijing. As evidence of Biden’s commitment to Taiwan, his advisers have cited his support as a senator for the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which obligates Washington to provide weapons to Taiwan. More recently, he has signaled his support for Taiwan in other ways, having his choice for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, for example, speak this month with Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States. “He will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan,” an official with Biden’s transition team said in a statement. “He has long said that American support for Taiwan must remain strong, principled and bipartisan.” Some politicians in Taiwan, including members of the opposition party, the Kuomintang, believe Biden’s more restrained approach could help ease tensions and prevent a military conflict between the United States and China. “He is neither a reckless politician nor a person who wants to achieve something remarkable in a short period of time,” said Cheng Li-wun, a Kuomintang lawmaker. Despite Biden’s calls for greater cooperation, China’s leaders are wary about his leadership. They worry that he will try to unite U.S. allies in Europe and Asia to thwart Beijing’s global agenda, according to analysts in the mainland, and that he will continue to seek closer ties with Taiwan. “The basic Taiwan policies, even during Biden’s term, won’t see any upending changes,” said Xin Qiang, a scholar who studies U.S.-China relations and Taiwan at Fudan University in Shanghai. “With regard to both strategy and tactics, the mainland has concerns about both Biden and Trump.” Chinese officials often accuse the United States of encouraging Taiwan to seek full independence, a move that Xi has repeatedly warned could be met by armed force. A rising sense of nationalism in China has fueled concerns that the mainland could react harshly if tensions escalated. “I fear that one day the mainland will be forced to take actions because of the Taiwan issue that would cause a crisis or even a military conflict between China and the United States,” Xin said. During his final weeks in office, Trump and his advisers appear to be intent on testing China’s limits on Taiwan. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has escalated his taunting of Beijing, saying during a recent interview that Taiwan was not a part of China. His remarks drew a furious response from Chinese officials, who said Taiwan was an inalienable part of China, denounced Pompeo and vowed to retaliate. Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, is leading a visit to the region as part of an effort to reassure U.S. allies, after Beijing this month signed a trade agreement with 14 countries in the region, a move seen as a check to American power in the region. O’Brien said in Manila on Monday that the United States would continue to support Taiwan and would not cede its status as a Pacific power to China. “We’re going to fight for a free and open Indo-Pacific region with all of our partners,” O’Brien said in a conference call with reporters. When he takes office in January, Biden will face growing frictions and also tough policy choices, including questions about arms sales and economic investment. Taiwan has long pressed U.S. officials to sign a bilateral trade treaty, an idea that Beijing opposes. Tsai Ing-wen lifted a long-standing ban on U.S. pork and beef imports in August, a decision seen as an attempt to open the door to formal trade talks.

After Trump, Biden faces pressure to stand up to China by embracing Taiwan

Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor who is now an election attorney for President Donald Trump, on Thursday (November 19) said again without providing evidence that millions of votes were shifted from Trump to Democratic rival Joe Biden by software designed to rig the election.

Giuliani links latest election fraud claims to 'communist money' from Venezuela

Georgia confirmed Democratic President-elect Joe Biden as the winner of the Nov. 3 election in the state as it completed a hand audit of ballots on Thursday, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said.

Georgia confirms Biden's victory in state as it completes hand audit of ballots

President-elect Joe Biden said on Monday "more people may die" if outgoing President Donald Trump continues blocking a U.S. transition of power as the coronavirus pandemic worsens, and he urged Congress to pass new relief legislation.

'More people may die,' Joe Biden says, if Trump goes on blocking pandemic cooperation

President-elect Joe Biden will focus on shaping his core White House team on Tuesday while outgoing President Donald Trump presses on with his increasingly tenuous legal fight to reverse his loss in the US&nbsp;election. 
 
Biden`s senior campaign staff have been discussing their roles in the transition and the new administration that takes over Jan. 20. Several roles could be announced as soon as Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. 
 
U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond, who was a national co-chair of Biden`s campaign and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, is expected to join the administration in a senior capacity, as is Steve Ricchetti, who has long been a close adviser to Biden, the person said. Richmond`s move would leave his Louisiana congressional seat open. 
 
Jen O`Malley Dillon, who was brought in early this year as Biden`s campaign manager and is the first woman to lead a winning Democratic presidential bid, is expected to be named a deputy chief of staff. 
 
Other roles could also be disclosed this week though Biden could still be weeks away from finalizing his slate of cabinet appointees. 
 
None of the potential appointees could be reached for comment. A spokesman for Biden`s transition team declined to comment. 
 
Biden, a Democrat, is also set to receive a briefing on national security threats from his own advisers. Trump, a Republican who has not conceded the Nov. 3 election, has blocked him from receiving classified intelligence briefings usually provided to the successor in a transition. 
 
General Services Administrator Emily Murphy has not recognized Biden as the "apparent winner." A spokeswoman for Murphy said the administrator was following precedent and would "make an ascertainment when the winner is clear." Critics say Murphy is holding off under pressure from the White House, a claim rejected by administration officials. 
 
The Republican Trump has remained angry and defiant on social media even as some prominent Republicans have asserted that Biden should be considered the president-elect. 
 
Trump`s national security adviser, Robert O`Brien, said on Monday he would ensure a professional transition in the likely event that Biden is deemed the winner. 
 
"If the Biden-Harris ticket is determined to be the winner, and obviously things look like that now, we`ll have a very professional transition from the National Security Council," O`Brien told the Global Security Forum. 
 
At a news conference on Monday, Biden again called upon Trump to cooperate with the transfer of power, saying that the resurgent COVID-19 pandemic meant lives were in the balance. 
 
"More people may die if we don`t coordinate," he said. 
 
CLEAR BIDEN VICTORY 
 
Though a definitive winner from the election did not emerge until four days later, Biden`s victory has become clearer as more votes have been counted. 
 
Biden won the legally meaningless but symbolically important national popular vote by at least 5.6 million votes, or 3.6 percentage points, with some ballots still being counted. 
 
In the all-important state-by-state Electoral College, Biden surpassed the 270 votes needed to win with 306 to Trump`s 232. 
 
As states work to certify those results before a Dec. 8 deadline, Trump and his supporters have claimed he was cheated by fraud, but so far those baseless allegations have failed to gain traction in court. 
 
One of Trump`s legal challenges will get a hearing on Tuesday in a Pennsylvania federal court, where another legal setback would likely doom his already long-shot prospects. 
 
U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann will hear arguments in a Trump campaign lawsuit that seeks to halt the state`s top election official from certifying Biden as the winner. 
 
In order to remain in office, Trump would need to overturn results in at least three of the closely contested states in unprecedented fashion, and has no apparent legal means to do so. 
 
Trump supporters are also clinging to hope that recounts could reverse state results, even though experts have said Biden`s margins appear insurmountable. 
 
Georgia is undertaking a manual recount on its own, but in Wisconsin the Trump campaign would have to pay for a recount in advance. The Wisconsin Elections Commission on Monday estimated such a recount would cost $7.9 million. 
 
Georgia`s top elections official, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, told the Washington Post he has come under pressure from fellow Republicans who have launched false fraud allegations or questioned the legality of valid votes. 
 
He also said he and his wife have received death threats. 
 
"Other than getting you angry, it`s also very disillusioning, particularly when it comes from people on my side of the aisle," Raffensperger told the Post. "Everyone that is working on this needs to elevate their speech. We need to be thoughtful and careful about what we say."

President-elect Joe Biden will focus on shaping his core White House team on Tuesday while outgoing President Donald Trump presses on with his increasingly tenuous legal fight to reverse his loss in the US election.

President-elect Joe Biden will focus on shaping his core White House team on Tuesday while outgoing President Donald Trump presses on with his increasingly tenuous legal fight to reverse his loss in the US election. Biden`s senior campaign staff have been discussing their roles in the transition and the new administration that takes over Jan. 20. Several roles could be announced as soon as Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond, who was a national co-chair of Biden`s campaign and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, is expected to join the administration in a senior capacity, as is Steve Ricchetti, who has long been a close adviser to Biden, the person said. Richmond`s move would leave his Louisiana congressional seat open. Jen O`Malley Dillon, who was brought in early this year as Biden`s campaign manager and is the first woman to lead a winning Democratic presidential bid, is expected to be named a deputy chief of staff. Other roles could also be disclosed this week though Biden could still be weeks away from finalizing his slate of cabinet appointees. None of the potential appointees could be reached for comment. A spokesman for Biden`s transition team declined to comment. Biden, a Democrat, is also set to receive a briefing on national security threats from his own advisers. Trump, a Republican who has not conceded the Nov. 3 election, has blocked him from receiving classified intelligence briefings usually provided to the successor in a transition. General Services Administrator Emily Murphy has not recognized Biden as the "apparent winner." A spokeswoman for Murphy said the administrator was following precedent and would "make an ascertainment when the winner is clear." Critics say Murphy is holding off under pressure from the White House, a claim rejected by administration officials. The Republican Trump has remained angry and defiant on social media even as some prominent Republicans have asserted that Biden should be considered the president-elect. Trump`s national security adviser, Robert O`Brien, said on Monday he would ensure a professional transition in the likely event that Biden is deemed the winner. "If the Biden-Harris ticket is determined to be the winner, and obviously things look like that now, we`ll have a very professional transition from the National Security Council," O`Brien told the Global Security Forum. At a news conference on Monday, Biden again called upon Trump to cooperate with the transfer of power, saying that the resurgent COVID-19 pandemic meant lives were in the balance. "More people may die if we don`t coordinate," he said. CLEAR BIDEN VICTORY Though a definitive winner from the election did not emerge until four days later, Biden`s victory has become clearer as more votes have been counted. Biden won the legally meaningless but symbolically important national popular vote by at least 5.6 million votes, or 3.6 percentage points, with some ballots still being counted. In the all-important state-by-state Electoral College, Biden surpassed the 270 votes needed to win with 306 to Trump`s 232. As states work to certify those results before a Dec. 8 deadline, Trump and his supporters have claimed he was cheated by fraud, but so far those baseless allegations have failed to gain traction in court. One of Trump`s legal challenges will get a hearing on Tuesday in a Pennsylvania federal court, where another legal setback would likely doom his already long-shot prospects. U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann will hear arguments in a Trump campaign lawsuit that seeks to halt the state`s top election official from certifying Biden as the winner. In order to remain in office, Trump would need to overturn results in at least three of the closely contested states in unprecedented fashion, and has no apparent legal means to do so. Trump supporters are also clinging to hope that recounts could reverse state results, even though experts have said Biden`s margins appear insurmountable. Georgia is undertaking a manual recount on its own, but in Wisconsin the Trump campaign would have to pay for a recount in advance. The Wisconsin Elections Commission on Monday estimated such a recount would cost $7.9 million. Georgia`s top elections official, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, told the Washington Post he has come under pressure from fellow Republicans who have launched false fraud allegations or questioned the legality of valid votes. He also said he and his wife have received death threats. "Other than getting you angry, it`s also very disillusioning, particularly when it comes from people on my side of the aisle," Raffensperger told the Post. "Everyone that is working on this needs to elevate their speech. We need to be thoughtful and careful about what we say."

Biden could name top staff as Trump tries to block transition

On November 7, 2020 American networks declared Joe Biden the President-elect. 16 days in, and the incumbent president Donald Trump has not conceded.

On Sunday, Trump tweeted the following: “Joe Biden won in the eyes of the fake news media. I concede nothing. This was a rigged election".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-elections-2020-why-poll-watcher-complaints-dont-amount-to-fraud-343250" hreflang="en">US elections 2020: Why poll watcher complaints don't amount to fraud</a>

This marked the first time Trump has come close to admitting that Biden won. Even though he feels the whole process was rigged, Trump's twitter feed right now is a long list of flagged tweets. Trump claims that poll watchers were thrown out of counting rooms, but there is no evidence to prove this.

How is Trump planning to cling on to the White House?

Part one of his plan to stay in power hinges on his base, of which we saw a glimpse on Sunday at his mega rally in Washington.&nbsp;

Thousands of the president's supporters were out in full force, which was dubbed as the “Million MAGA march”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/trump-almost-admits-he-lost-us-election-says-time-will-tell-343056" hreflang="en">Trump almost admits he lost US election, says 'time will tell'</a>

Much like Trump himself, these protesters have rejected the election results. They say that there is no president-elect, and that it's all a lie.

In some places these protests turned violent. A right-wing group “Proud boys” cashed with Antifa a far-left movement. One person was stabbed and taken to the trauma centre.

How is Trump doing in courts?

The Trump campaign filed a flurry of cases in swing states, starting with Pennsylvania which Biden won on November 7.

The Trump campaign immediately filed a lawsuit, alleging that around 680,000 ballots were illegally processed. It wanted these votes to be removed from the final tally. But that demand has now been dropped, making Trump's lawsuit in Pennsylvania effectively toothless.

Since election night - Trump has spent most of his time at his golf course. The White House has virtually stopped addressing the COVID-19 outbreak in the US. His administration is yet to ratify Biden's victory, which has delayed the transition process.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-election-2020-georgia-to-conduct-a-full-recount-of-election-ballots-342474" hreflang="en">US election 2020: Georgia to conduct a full recount of election ballots</a>

Joe Biden's team on the other hand - is eager to get cracking. The incoming Chief of Staff Ron Klain feels it's time that Biden and Harris start receiving intelligence briefings.

There is bipartisan criticism against what Trump is trying to do. Among the more vocal critiques has been Trump's predecessor - Barack Obama.

He is promoting his new memoir and Obama is not mincing his words. He said - nobody is above the law, whether it's a dog catcher, or a president.

&nbsp;“They obviously didn't think there was any fraud going on because they didn't say anything about it for the first two days.&nbsp; But there's damage to this because what happens is that the peaceful transfer of power, the notion that any of us who attain an elected office, whether it's a dogcatcher or a president, are servants of the people. It's a temporary job. We're not above the rules. We're not above the law. That's the essence of our democracy”, Obama said.

Obama is expecting a change in the prestige of the office with Biden at the helm.&nbsp;

However, Trump will not hand over the White House without a fight. This so-called “lameduck” period is leading up to the most messy presidential transition in American history.

On November 7, 2020 American networks declared Joe Biden the President-elect. 16 days in, and the incumbent president Donald Trump has not conceded. On Sunday, Trump tweeted the following: “Joe Biden won in the eyes of the fake news media.

On November 7, 2020 American networks declared Joe Biden the President-elect. 16 days in, and the incumbent president Donald Trump has not conceded. On Sunday, Trump tweeted the following: “Joe Biden won in the eyes of the fake news media. I concede nothing. This was a rigged election". Also read: US elections 2020: Why poll watcher complaints don't amount to fraud This marked the first time Trump has come close to admitting that Biden won. Even though he feels the whole process was rigged, Trump's twitter feed right now is a long list of flagged tweets. Trump claims that poll watchers were thrown out of counting rooms, but there is no evidence to prove this. How is Trump planning to cling on to the White House? Part one of his plan to stay in power hinges on his base, of which we saw a glimpse on Sunday at his mega rally in Washington. Thousands of the president's supporters were out in full force, which was dubbed as the “Million MAGA march”. Also read: Trump almost admits he lost US election, says 'time will tell' Much like Trump himself, these protesters have rejected the election results. They say that there is no president-elect, and that it's all a lie. In some places these protests turned violent. A right-wing group “Proud boys” cashed with Antifa a far-left movement. One person was stabbed and taken to the trauma centre. How is Trump doing in courts? The Trump campaign filed a flurry of cases in swing states, starting with Pennsylvania which Biden won on November 7. The Trump campaign immediately filed a lawsuit, alleging that around 680,000 ballots were illegally processed. It wanted these votes to be removed from the final tally. But that demand has now been dropped, making Trump's lawsuit in Pennsylvania effectively toothless. Since election night - Trump has spent most of his time at his golf course. The White House has virtually stopped addressing the COVID-19 outbreak in the US. His administration is yet to ratify Biden's victory, which has delayed the transition process. Also read: US election 2020: Georgia to conduct a full recount of election ballots Joe Biden's team on the other hand - is eager to get cracking. The incoming Chief of Staff Ron Klain feels it's time that Biden and Harris start receiving intelligence briefings. There is bipartisan criticism against what Trump is trying to do. Among the more vocal critiques has been Trump's predecessor - Barack Obama. He is promoting his new memoir and Obama is not mincing his words. He said - nobody is above the law, whether it's a dog catcher, or a president. “They obviously didn't think there was any fraud going on because they didn't say anything about it for the first two days. But there's damage to this because what happens is that the peaceful transfer of power, the notion that any of us who attain an elected office, whether it's a dogcatcher or a president, are servants of the people. It's a temporary job. We're not above the rules. We're not above the law. That's the essence of our democracy”, Obama said. Obama is expecting a change in the prestige of the office with Biden at the helm. However, Trump will not hand over the White House without a fight. This so-called “lameduck” period is leading up to the most messy presidential transition in American history.

US election 2020: 16 days after Biden was declared President-elect, what is Trump up to?

Incumbent US President DonaldTrump tweets in his latest tweet that, Election were rigged, even after the election was declared safe and secure by both state and federal government.

US: Trump cites that election were rigged on twitter

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