Presidential transition of Joe Biden

{{Main|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election#Refusal to accept 2020 electoral loss}}

{{see also|Big lie#Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen election|Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election}}

As early as the summer of 2020, President Donald Trump began questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election, saying that the increase of mail-in voting in the election compared to previous elections will lead to a "rigged election".{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Calvin |date=July 30, 2020 |title=AP FACT CHECK: Trump's view of flawed voting is baseless |url=https://apnews.com/article/3f6b2adcf0b66066195f307e18173b6f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205135/https://apnews.com/3f6b2adcf0b66066195f307e18173b6f |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=AP NEWS}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/22/politics/trump-voter-fraud-lies-fact-check/index.html|title=Trump spreads new lies about foreign-backed voter fraud, stoking fears of a 'rigged election' this November|first=Marshall|last=Cohen|website=CNN|date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025230108/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/22/politics/trump-voter-fraud-lies-fact-check/index.html|url-status=live}} For this reason, many pundits and editorial writers would insist that Biden would need to win by a landslide to prevent Trump from challenging the result.{{Cite news |last=Freedland |first=Jonathan |date=July 17, 2020 |title=Trump will cling to power. To get him out, Biden will have to win big | Jonathan Freedland |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/17/trump-biden-win-democrat-landslide |url-status=live |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029003347/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/17/trump-biden-win-democrat-landslide |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |via=}}{{Cite news |last=Bruni |first=Frank |author-link=Frank Bruni |date=August 22, 2020 |title=Opinion | Why Biden Needs a Landslide Just to Win |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/22/opinion/sunday/trump-cheat-biden-2020.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028210928/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/22/opinion/sunday/trump-cheat-biden-2020.html |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |via=NYTimes.com}}{{cite news |last=Graff |first=Garrett M. |author-link=Garrett Graff |date=October 23, 2020 |title=A Day-By-Day Guide to What Could Happen If This Election Goes Bad |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/election-nightmares-guide-430915 |url-status=live |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023144955/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/election-nightmares-guide-430915 |archive-date=October 23, 2020}} Trump's preemptive accusations of fraud led some people to consider what would happen if he should lose by a margin less than a landslide.{{Cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2020/08/11/trump-november-2020-election/|title=What If Trump Won't Leave?|first1=Frances Fox|last1=Piven|first2=Deepak|last2=Bhargava|date=August 11, 2020|website=The Intercept|access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031145332/https://theintercept.com/2020/08/11/trump-november-2020-election/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Gellman |first=Barton |author-link=Barton Gellman |date=September 23, 2020 |title=The Election That Could Break America |url=https://medium.com/the-atlantic/the-election-that-could-break-america-ebf4eb3f5b2f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205302/https://medium.com/the-atlantic/the-election-that-could-break-america-ebf4eb3f5b2f |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |work=The Atlantic}} At various points, Trump had called for his attorney general, William Barr, to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, with Trump frequently insisting that his opponent should be in prison.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-william-barr-elections-20fd56b64801dd83b1657c630a1ebdfa|work=AP News|date=October 21, 2020|access-date=October 28, 2020|title=Trump ups pressure on Barr to probe Bidens as election nears|first1=Aamer|last1=Madhani|first2=Colleen|last2=Long|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026131331/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-william-barr-elections-20fd56b64801dd83b1657c630a1ebdfa|url-status=live}}

Rosa Brooks, who worked in the Department of Defense during the Obama administration, co-founded the Transition Integrity Project (TIP), which in June 2020 ran a series of "wargaming" exercises to explore potential election and transition scenarios. In August 2020, TIP released a widely discussed [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/read-the-transition-integrity-projects-full-report/ar-BB17x0w3 report] that outlined four 2020 election crisis scenario planning exercises for the 2020 United States presidential election.{{Cite web |last=Brynen |first=Rex |date=August 4, 2020 |title=Transition Integrity Project: Preventing a disrupted presidential election and transition |url=https://paxsims.wordpress.com/2020/08/04/transition-integrity-project-preventing-a-disrupted-presidential-election-and-transition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101052816/https://paxsims.wordpress.com/2020/08/04/transition-integrity-project-preventing-a-disrupted-presidential-election-and-transition/ |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |access-date=August 9, 2020 |website=PAXsims |language=en}} The scenarios examined by TIP included a decisive Biden win, a decisive Trump win, a narrow Biden win, and a period of extended uncertainty after the election.{{Cite web|title=Experts Game Out What Might Happen If The Election Goes Off The Rails|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/897345056/experts-game-out-what-might-happen-if-the-election-goes-off-the-rails|access-date=August 9, 2020|website=NPR.org|language=en|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205011/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/897345056/experts-game-out-what-might-happen-if-the-election-goes-off-the-rails|url-status=live}} Other academics, such as Lawrence Douglas in his book Will He Go?: Trump and the Looming Election Meltdown in 2020, have also discussed the possibility, which later turned out to be true, of Trump refusing to concede if he lost.{{Cite web|last=Illing|first=Sean|date=June 3, 2020|title=Will he go?|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/6/3/21257133/trump-2020-election-meltdown-lawrence-douglas|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Vox|language=en|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225055823/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/6/3/21257133/trump-2020-election-meltdown-lawrence-douglas|url-status=live}}

Per the 20th Amendment, the vice president must count the electoral votes in front of Congress's joint session on January 6, 2021. This is governed by the Electoral Count Act of 1887, passed to prevent crises such as that in 1876–77, and while provisions have been used, the act has never been truly put to the test.{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Ted |date=January 6, 2005 |title=Democrats challenge Ohio electoral votes |url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote.1718/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511205354/http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote.1718/ |archive-date=May 11, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=CNN}} The Biden legal team had prepared for this, drafting basic responses to each of the possible litigations gamed out by the TIP and others.{{Cite news |last=Goldmacher |first=Shane |date=September 14, 2020 |title=Biden Creates Legal War Room, Preparing for a Big Fight Over Voting |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/14/us/politics/biden-legal-challenges-trump.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106062959/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/14/us/politics/biden-legal-challenges-trump.html |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |via=}} The only one of the more than sixty cases which had not been dismissed out of hand was about late-arriving mail-in ballots.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/06/election-recounts-lawsuits-trump-biden-pennsylvania-wisconsin/6184226002/|title=Election challenges live updates: Pennsylvania officials must separate ballots that arrived after Election Day|author1=Donovan Slack|author2=Joel Shannon|website=USA TODAY|access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208065951/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/06/election-recounts-lawsuits-trump-biden-pennsylvania-wisconsin/6184226002/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Emily W. Murphy#2020 presidential transition}}

File:Emily W. Murphy official photo.jpg Emily Murphy withheld transition resources until November 23.]]

Though Joe Biden was generally acknowledged as president-elect in the election on November 7, 2020,{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Epstein |title=Biden Transition Team Calls on Federal Agency to Declare Winner|date=November 10, 2020 |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-10/biden-transition-team-calls-on-federal-agency-to-declare-winner|access-date=November 18, 2020|quote=Biden was declared the winner by media organizations after securing enough electoral votes.|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118021042/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-10/biden-transition-team-calls-on-federal-agency-to-declare-winner|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Zack|last=Budryk|title=Biden campaign pushes GSA chief to approve transition|date=November 9, 2020|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/525083-biden-campaign-pushes-gsa-chief-to-approve-transition|access-date=November 18, 2020|quote=Major media outlets projected Biden as the president-elect Saturday.|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119023751/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/525083-biden-campaign-pushes-gsa-chief-to-approve-transition|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Levin |first=Bess |date=November 16, 2020 |title=The Trump Appointee Blocking Biden's Transition Is Reportedly Trying to Line Up a New Job for 2021 |magazine=Vanity Fair |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/11/emily-murphy-joe-biden-transition |url-status=live |access-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117185415/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/11/emily-murphy-joe-biden-transition |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |quote=But 13 days after the 2020 election and more than a week after all major media outlets called the race for Joe Biden, with Trump having absolutely no chance of getting a second term, Murphy has refused to acknowledge that Biden won, making it that much more difficult for the president-elect and his team to get a head start on crucial matters like a pandemic that has killed more than 245,000 people in the U.S. so far and stands to kill a lot more if no one does anything about it until January 2021.}}{{cite news|first=Robin|last=Young|title=In Unprecedented Move, Key Federal Agency Hesitates On Declaring Biden Winner|date=November 9, 2020|website=WBUG.org|url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/11/09/biden-trump-transition-of-power|access-date=November 18, 2020|quote=The answer is no, and I think you rightly note that this is different than what occurred in 2000 [in the Al Gore vs. George W. Bush race], there is a consensus certainly on the media side and with the states that are at play.|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109204014/https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/11/09/biden-trump-transition-of-power|url-status=live}} General Services Administration head Emily Murphy refused to initiate the transition to the president-elect, thereby denying funds and office space to his team.{{Cite news |last1=Rein|first1=Lisa|last2=O'Connell|first2=Jonathan|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh|title=A little-known Trump appointee is in charge of handing transition resources to Biden — and she isn't budging|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html|access-date=November 9, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109100819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Alarm grows over Trump administration acting 'more akin to a dictatorship' as he denies election defeat |website=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-transition/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111055831/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-transition/index.html |archive-date=November 11, 2020}}

Murphy refused to sign a letter (the "ascertainment" determination) allowing Biden's transition team to formally begin work to facilitate an orderly transition of power. By refusing to allow the Biden administration transition to proceed, she prevented the incoming administration from obtaining office space, performing background checks on prospective Cabinet nominees, and accessing classified information which might be needed to respond to emergencies that the administration confronts when in office. Murphy's withholding of the letter also blocked President-elect Biden's transition team from accessing several million dollars in federal transition funds for salaries and other costs, establishing government email addresses, and working with the Office of Government Ethics on required financial disclosure and conflict-of-interest forms for incoming nominees.

Amid public speculation that her refusal might jeopardize national security and public health, Murphy began a job search for herself, inquiring about employment opportunities in 2021.{{Cite web |last1=Faulders |first1=Katherine |last2=Flaherty |first2=Anne |last3=Siegel |first3=Benjamin |date=November 17, 2020 |title=GSA official blocking Biden's transition appears to privately plan post-Trump career |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gsa-official-blocking-bidens-transition-privately-plans-post/story?id=74234794 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117040402/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gsa-official-blocking-bidens-transition-privately-plans-post/story?id=74234794 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=ABC News}}{{cite web |last=Seddiq |first=Oma |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Trump official Emily Murphy blocking Biden transition looks for new job |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-official-emily-murphy-blocking-biden-transition-looks-for-new-job-2020-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116223402/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-official-emily-murphy-blocking-biden-transition-looks-for-new-job-2020-11 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=Business Insider |publisher=}}{{cite news |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Why Donald Trump's tweet about Emily Murphy, head of the GSA, matters in the US election |newspaper=ABC News |publisher=Abc.net.au |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-17/donald-trump-tweet-about-emily-murphy-and-gsa-us-election-role/12886956 |url-status=live |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116201717/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-17/donald-trump-tweet-about-emily-murphy-and-gsa-us-election-role/12886956 |archive-date=November 16, 2020}}

On November 8, the nonpartisan Center for Presidential Transition issued a statement saying "We urge the Trump administration to immediately begin the post-election transition process and the Biden team to take full advantage of the resources available under the Presidential Transition Act."{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-appointee-slow-walks-biden-transition-could-delay-president-elect-n1247152|title=Trump appointee slow-walks Biden transition. That could delay the president-elect's Covid-19 plan.|last1=Smith|first1=Allan|last2=Przybyla|first2=Heide|date=November 9, 2020|work=NBC News|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114173107/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-appointee-slow-walks-biden-transition-could-delay-president-elect-n1247152|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Wolfe|first=Jan|date=November 9, 2020|title=Explainer: How and when will Trump leave office?|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-eviction-explainer-idUSKBN27P19X|access-date=November 9, 2020}} The letter was signed by several experts in presidential transitions: Joshua Bolten, President George W. Bush's former chief of staff; Mike Leavitt, former governor of Utah and Bush's Secretary of Health and Human Services; Mack McLarty, Bill Clinton's former chief of staff; and Penny Pritzker, Barack Obama's Secretary of Commerce.

Andrew Card, the first White House chief of staff under George W. Bush, expressed concern about the delay, noting that "the 9/11 Commission had said if there had been a longer transition [in 2000] and there had been cooperation, there might have been a better response, or maybe not even any attack".{{cite web |author=DeCiccio |first=Emily |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Former Bush chief of staff cites 9/11, warns about slow transition |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/11/former-bush-chief-of-staff-cites-9/11-warns-about-slow-transition.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035402/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/11/former-bush-chief-of-staff-cites-9/11-warns-about-slow-transition.html |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=CNBC |publisher=}} Four former Secretaries of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, Michael Chertoff, Janet Napolitano, and Jeh Johnson, called upon Murphy to initiate the transition, writing in a joint statement: "Our country is in the middle of twin crises: a global pandemic and a severe economic downturn. The pandemic will make any transition more complicated. At this period of heightened risk for our nation, we do not have a single day to spare to begin the transition. For the good of the nation, we must start now."{{cite web |last=Shaub |first=Walter Michael Jr |author-link=Walter Shaub |date=July 2, 2020 |title=The Presidential Transition Meets Murphy's Law |url=https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2020/11/13/the-presidential-transition-meets-murphys-law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114222431/https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2020/11/13/the-presidential-transition-meets-murphys-law/ |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=The New York Review of Books |publisher=}}{{cite web |last=Gregorian |first=Dareh |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Ex-Bush, Obama Homeland Security chiefs call on Trump admin to begin transition |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/live-blog/2020-11-11-biden-harris-transition-n1247340/ncrd1247458 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117221329/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/live-blog/2020-11-11-biden-harris-transition-n1247340/ncrd1247458 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=NBC News |publisher=}}

Anthony Fauci, the government's leading infectious disease expert, warned the delay was "obviously not good" from a public health perspective, while President-elect Biden argued "more people may die" as a result of the delay.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Allan |date=November 15, 2020 |title=Fauci says delayed transition is a public health issue as Covid-19 cases soar |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/fauci-says-delayed-transition-public-health-issue-covid-19-cases-n1247863 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117050209/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/fauci-says-delayed-transition-public-health-issue-covid-19-cases-n1247863 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=NBC News |publisher=}}{{cite news |last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |author-link=Michael D. Shear |last2=Glueck |first2=Katie |last3=Verma |first3=Pranshu |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Highlights of President-Elect Joe Biden's Transition: November 16, 2020 - The New York Times |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/16/us/joe-biden-trump |url-status=live |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117010139/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/16/us/joe-biden-trump |archive-date=November 17, 2020}}

On November 23, after Michigan certified its results, Murphy issued the letter of ascertainment, granting the Biden transition team access to federal funds and resources for an orderly transition.{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Matthew |last2=Jalonick |first2=Mary Clare |title=GSA ascertains Joe Biden is 'apparent winner' of election, clears way for the transition from Trump administration to formally begin |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/ct-gsa-joe-biden-transition-20201123-fqs77zryxzac5lysm2wscrmpiy-story.html |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 23, 2020 |access-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123232731/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/ct-gsa-joe-biden-transition-20201123-fqs77zryxzac5lysm2wscrmpiy-story.html |url-status=live }} Breaking with recent precedent, the letter did not call Biden "president-elect", instead fulfilling her requirements under the Act without implying that he won the election.{{cite news|last1=Jankowicz|first1=Mia|date=November 24, 2020|title=The letter enabling Biden's transition goes to extreme lengths to avoid saying he beat Trump and won the election|work=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-transition-letter-wont-admit-beat-trump-in-the-election-2020-11|url-status=live|access-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125214039/https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-transition-letter-wont-admit-beat-trump-in-the-election-2020-11|archive-date=November 25, 2020}} In the letter Murphy called the Act "vague", recommended Congress "consider amendments to the Act" to improve the standard it sets for post-election allocation of resources, and described threats she had allegedly received pressuring her to act.{{cite news |last1=Rein |first1=Lisa |date=November 23, 2020 |title=Under pressure, Trump appointee Emily Murphy approves transition in unusually personal letter to Biden |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gsa-emily-murphy-transition-biden/2020/11/23/c0f43e84-2de0-11eb-96c2-aac3f162215d_story.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125212742/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gsa-emily-murphy-transition-biden/2020/11/23/c0f43e84-2de0-11eb-96c2-aac3f162215d_story.html |archive-date=November 25, 2020}}

Meetings between the transition team and the administration began with the formation of two councils in May 2020,{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-team-prepares-for-potentially-bumpy-transition-11603359002|title=Biden Team Prepares for Potentially Bumpy Transition|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 22, 2020|first1=Andrew|last1=Restuccia|first2=Eliza|last2=Collins|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022122733/https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-team-prepares-for-potentially-bumpy-transition-11603359002|url-status=live}} around the time the former vice president had clinched the Democratic nomination.

• April 8, 2020: Biden becomes the presumptive nominee after Bernie Sanders withdraws.{{cite news |last=Ember |first=Sydney |date=April 16, 2020 |title=Bernie Sanders Drops Out of 2020 Democratic Race for President |website=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/politics/bernie-sanders-drops-out.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408160232/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/politics/bernie-sanders-drops-out.html |archive-date=April 8, 2020}}
• June 20, 2020: Initial transition team announced.{{cite news |last=Bradner |first=Eric |date=June 20, 2020 |title=Biden expands transition team, adding key campaign allies and top Obama-Biden policy hands |work=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026034703/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html |archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
• August 2020: Biden and California Senator Kamala Harris are nominated at the Democratic Convention.
• September 5, 2020: Full transition team is made public.
• November 1, 2020: Deadline for transition materials to be completed.{{cite web |last1=Herz |first1=Michael Eric |last2=Shaw |first2=Kate |author-link2=Kate A. Shaw |date=October 28, 2020 |title=The Transition Is Already Happening (And It's Going Fine So Far) |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/trump-cant-single-handedly-wreck-transition/616876/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028155128/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/trump-cant-single-handedly-wreck-transition/616876/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2020 |website=The Atlantic}}
• November 3, 2020: Election Day

• November 4: The transition website, buildbackbetter.com, goes live.{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Namita |date=November 5, 2020 |title=US Election: Biden launches transition website |website=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/biden-us-election-2020-trump-b1611918.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116022159/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/biden-us-election-2020-trump-b1611918.html |archive-date=November 16, 2020}}
• November 7: Election is called for Biden.{{cite web|date=November 7, 2020|title=Time for US to unite, President-elect Biden says|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2020-54836636|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114173122/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54836636|archive-date=November 14, 2020|access-date=November 15, 2020|website=BBC News}}
• November 8: GSA Administrator Emily Murphy refuses to sign a letter declaring the official start of the transition, denying funds and office space to the Biden team.
• November 10: Transition Co-chair Ted Kaufman announces full transition team of at least 500 people.{{cite news |last=Barrett |first=Ted |date=January 6, 2005 |title=Bush carries Electoral College after delay |website=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111143156/https://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/ |archive-date=November 11, 2020}}
• November 23: Emily Murphy signs the transition letter.{{cite news |last1=Holmes |first1=Kristen |last2=Herb |first2=Jeremy |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Key government agency acknowledges Biden's win and begins formal transition |website=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124005147/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin/index.html |archive-date=November 24, 2020}} The transition website changed its web address from buildbackbetter.com to buildbackbetter.gov
• December 9: Election results in every state and D.C. are certified.
• December 11: Supreme Court rejects Texas v. Pennsylvania challenge, mooting all others.
• December 14: The Electoral College formally elects Biden as president and Harris as vice president.
• December 18: The Acting Secretary of Defense surprises the Biden transition team with a "mutually agreed to" suspension of contacts until January.
• January 6, 2021: Congress counts Electoral College votes; interrupted by the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
• January 7, 2021: Congress completes counting Electoral College votes and officially confirms the election results.
• January 13, 2021: President Trump is impeached for the second time.
• January 20, 2021: Inauguration Day

{{Main|United States presidential transition}}

In accordance with the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010, potential presidential transition teams are provided office space by the General Services Administration (GSA). They are also eligible for government funding for staff; spending on Mitt Romney's transition team in 2012 was $8.9 million, all funds appropriated by the U.S. government. In order for the Biden transition team to formally begin working with federal agencies, access federal transition funds, and utilize government-provided office space, Biden had to be formally certified as president-elect by the administrator of the General Services Administration. After the media projected Biden to win the election, and as Trump refused to concede, the current GSA administrator, Trump appointee Emily W. Murphy, refused to sign a letter of authorization. She argued that she had seen no certification outside of the media that Biden has won, and was under no obligation to treat Biden as president-elect.{{Cite book|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4000/lisa|title=Revue LISA / LISA e-journal|publisher=OpenEdition|doi=10.4000/lisa|s2cid=244471700}}{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Philip |title=Why Donald Trump's Refusal to Give Biden Keys to Office Space Matters |url=https://time.com/5909532/donald-trump-joe-biden-administration-transition/ |magazine=Time |access-date=November 9, 2020 |date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109191654/https://time.com/5909532/donald-trump-joe-biden-administration-transition/ |url-status=live }}

Key responsibilities of a presidential transition include the identification and vetting of candidates for approximately 4,000 non-civil service positions in the U.S. government who serve at the pleasure of the president; arranging the occupancy of executive residences including the White House, One Observatory Circle, and Camp David; liaising with the United States Strategic Command for receipt of the Gold Codes; and briefing senior personnel about a new administration's policy priorities.{{cite web|title=Help Wanted: 4,000 Presidential Appointees|url=http://presidentialtransition.org/blog/posts/160316_help-wanted-4000-appointees.php|website=Center for Presidential Transition|publisher=Partnership for Public Service|access-date=December 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112205457/http://presidentialtransition.org/blog/posts/160316_help-wanted-4000-appointees.php|archive-date=January 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Under existing federal law and custom, Biden became eligible to receive classified national security briefings when his nomination was formalized at the party's national convention in August 2020.

The Presidential Transition Act was amended in 2019 to require the incumbent president to establish "transition councils" by June of an election year to facilitate a possible handover of power.{{cite web |url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/05/trump-administration-details-efforts-support-peaceful-presidential-transition/165443/|title=Trump Administration Details Efforts to Support Peaceful Presidential Transition|website=Government Executive |date=May 15, 2020 |access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024185020/https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/05/trump-administration-details-efforts-support-peaceful-presidential-transition/165443/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://presidentialtransition.org/|title=Center for Presidential Transition |access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025230721/https://presidentialtransition.org/|url-status=live}}

File:Biden Transition (50727804701).jpg Larry Hogan participates in a virtual meeting with Biden, Harris, and other governors on December 16]]

Biden began to appoint transition staff in May 2020, chaired by Ted Kaufman. Kaufman was previously appointed to Biden's senate seat following his resignation to become the Vice President.{{Cite web |title=Senate swears in Biden replacement Kaufman |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28692968 |date=2008-01-28 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NBC News}}{{cite web |url=https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|title=Biden Transition Organization – Staff, Advisors|website=www.democracyinaction.us|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029093141/https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|url-status=live}} Further staff were announced in September. The campaign had an estimated budget of $7–10 million and planned to have a staff of 300 people by early December 2020. Several working groups were set up in late September and early October.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/23/joe-biden-transition-team-election-campaign|work=The Guardian |title='This is a transition like no other': Biden team prepared for all possibilities |date=September 23, 2020|first=Daniel|last=Strauss|access-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018034446/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/23/joe-biden-transition-team-election-campaign|url-status=live}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the work was done over Zoom.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/05/a-new-challenge-for-transition-planners-building-a-government-over-zoom-425528|work=Politico|date=October 5, 2020|title=A new challenge for transition planners: Building a government over Zoom|first1=Alice Miranda |last1=Ollstein|first2=Megan|last2=Cassella|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028043436/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/05/a-new-challenge-for-transition-planners-building-a-government-over-zoom-425528|url-status=live}}

Biden launched his transition website at approximately 6:30 p.m. EST on November 4, a day after Election Day and before the final election results were in.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714#74029265 |work=ABC News|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020 |title=Biden team launches transition website|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103235357/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714#74029265|url-status=live}}

Harris resigned her Senate seat on January 18, 2021, two days before assuming the vice presidency.{{Cite web |title=Win by Biden and Harris opens up California Senate seat |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2020/11/07/win-by-biden-and-harris-opens-up-california-senate-seat |access-date=December 4, 2020 |website=Roll Call |language=en |first=Bridget |last=Bowman |date=November 7, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205020945/https://www.rollcall.com/2020/11/07/win-by-biden-and-harris-opens-up-california-senate-seat/ |url-status=live }} On January 19, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California Secretary of State Alex Padilla succeeded Harris for the remainder of her term.{{Cite news|last1=Blood|first1=Michael R.|date=December 22, 2020|title=California gets Latino US senator, some Black leaders angry|url=https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-barbara-lee-immigration-california-alex-padilla-41137f888c5c08b0103c0b19ebdfe009|access-date=December 24, 2020|work=AP News|archive-date=December 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223134718/https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-barbara-lee-immigration-california-alex-padilla-41137f888c5c08b0103c0b19ebdfe009|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election}}

{{see also|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|Texas v. Pennsylvania}}

While the transition was ongoing, multiple lawsuits were filed to contest election procedures and results.{{cite news |last1=Bazelon |first1=Emily |title=Trump Is Not Doing Well With His Election Lawsuits. Here's a Rundown. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/us/politics/trump-election-lawsuits.html |work=New York Times |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116052312/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/us/politics/trump-election-lawsuits.html |url-status=live }} Most of these lawsuits were unsuccessful and were quickly dismissed.

{{Main|COVID-19 Advisory Board}}

Before naming any White House staff or cabinet appointments, Biden announced that he will appoint a COVID-19 task force, co-chaired by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler and Yale University epidemiologist Professor Marcella Nunez-Smith, to replace the previous White House Coronavirus Task Force.{{cite web|last=Feuer|first=Will|date=November 7, 2020|title=President-elect Joe Biden to announce Covid task force on Monday|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/07/president-elect-joe-biden-to-announce-covid-task-force-on-monday.html|access-date=November 8, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107212640/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/07/president-elect-joe-biden-to-announce-covid-task-force-on-monday.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Mercia|first1=Dan|last2=Zeleny|first2=Jeff|date=November 7, 2020|title=Biden to announce coronavirus task force as part of presidential transition|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/transition-biden-coronavirus-task-force/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108213501/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/transition-biden-coronavirus-task-force/index.html}}

Biden pledged a larger federal government response to the pandemic than Donald Trump, akin to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal following the Great Depression. This would include increased testing for the COVID virus, a steady supply of personal protective equipment, distributing a vaccine and securing money from Congress for schools and hospitals under the aegis of a national "supply chain commander" who would coordinate the logistics of manufacturing and distributing protective gear and test kits. This would be distributed by a "Pandemic Testing Board", also similar to Roosevelt's War Production Board.

Biden also pledged to invoke the Defense Production Act more aggressively than Trump in order to build up supplies, as well as the mobilization of up to 100,000 Americans for a "public health jobs corps" of contact tracers to help track and prevent outbreaks.{{cite news |last1=Goodnough |first1=Abby |last2=Stolberg |first2=Sheryl Gay |title=Biden's Covid Response Plan Draws From F.D.R.'s New Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/health/covid-biden-pandemic-plan.html |access-date=November 7, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=October 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105212743/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/health/covid-biden-pandemic-plan.html |url-status=live }} "Other members are Dr. Luciana Borio, Rick Bright, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, Dr. Atul Gawande, Dr. Celine Gounder, Dr. Julie Morita, Michael Osterholm, Loyce Pace, Dr. Robert Rodriguez and Dr. Eric Goosby."{{cite news|last=Christensen|first=Jen|title=How Biden plans to change the US pandemic response|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/health/biden-pandemic-plan/index.html|access-date=November 9, 2020|website=CNN|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035745/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/health/biden-pandemic-plan/index.html|url-status=live}} Anthony Fauci confirmed on November 25 that he expected to begin working with the Biden transition team soon.{{Cite web|last1=Wagner|first1=Meg|last2=Macaya|first2=Melissa|last3=Hayes|first3=Mike|date=November 25, 2020|title=Fauci confirms he's been talking to President-elect Biden's staff|url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-25-20#h_8c13e145584314c207c65e10be49ffcd|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125151158/https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-25-20/h_8c13e145584314c207c65e10be49ffcd|archive-date=November 25, 2020|access-date=November 25, 2020|website=CNN|language=en}}

{{Main|Cabinet of Joe Biden|Political appointments by Joe Biden}}

On November 11, Biden announced his choice of Ron Klain, formerly his chief of staff during his vice presidency, to serve as White House chief of staff.{{Cite news|last1=Shear|first1=Michael D.|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|last3=Haberman|first3=Maggie|last4=Kaplan|first4=Thomas|date=November 12, 2020|title=Biden Names Ron Klain as White House Chief of Staff|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/ron-klain-biden.html|access-date=November 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003452/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/ron-klain-biden.html/|url-status=live}} On November 17, Mike Donilon was named Senior Advisor to the President, Jen O'Malley Dillon was named deputy chief of staff, Steve Ricchetti was named Counselor to the President, Cedric Richmond was named Senior Advisor to the President of the United States and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, and Dana Remus was named Counsel to the President.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/17/joe-biden-names-cedric-richmond-omalley-dillon-white-house-posts/6324404002/ |title=Joe Biden names Cedric Richmond, O'Malley Dillon to White House posts |work=USA Today |date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118024114/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/17/joe-biden-names-cedric-richmond-omalley-dillon-white-house-posts/6324404002/ |url-status=live }} Annie Tomasini was named the Oval Office Operations Director.{{Cite web|title=Biden Administration: Here's Who Has Been Named So Far|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/17/933848488/biden-administration-heres-who-has-been-nominated|access-date=November 17, 2020|website=NPR.org|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117195917/https://www.npr.org/2020/11/17/933848488/biden-administration-heres-who-has-been-nominated|url-status=live}} On November 20, 2020, Biden named Louisa Terrell director of the Office of Legislative Affairs, Carlos Elizondo White House Social Secretary, Catherine M. Russell director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, and Mala Adiga policy director to the First Lady.{{Cite web|date=November 20, 2020|title=Biden announces more members of White House senior staff|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-20-20/h_b6e4c0256a3c3bfd379b8aca7af6c735|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121082454/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-20-20/h_b6e4c0256a3c3bfd379b8aca7af6c735|archive-date=November 21, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020|website=CNN|language=en}}

On November 22, 2020, Bloomberg News and the New York Times reported that Biden had selected Tony Blinken as his nominee for secretary of state.{{cite news |last1=Pager |first1=Tyler |last2=Epstein |first2=Jennifer |last3=Mohsin |first3=Saleha |title=Biden to Name Longtime Aide Blinken as Secretary of State |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/biden-to-name-longtime-aide-blinken-as-secretary-of-state |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=Bloomberg News |date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123163904/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/biden-to-name-longtime-aide-blinken-as-secretary-of-state |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Jakes |first1=Lara |last2=Crowley |first2=Michael |last3=Sanger |first3=David E. |title=Biden Chooses Antony Blinken, Defender of Global Alliances, as Secretary of State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/22/us/politics/biden-antony-blinken-secretary-of-state.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123015015/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/22/us/politics/biden-antony-blinken-secretary-of-state.html |url-status=live }} The next day, Biden announced that he would nominate Alejandro Mayorkas to be Secretary of Homeland Security, Avril Haines to be the Director of National Intelligence, and Linda Thomas-Greenfield as United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Jake Sullivan to be National Security Advisor, and John Kerry as special presidential envoy on climate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/joe-biden-foreign-policy-national-security-cabinet/index.html|title=Joe Biden nominates first woman to lead intelligence and first Latino to head homeland security|author1=Sarah Mucha |author2= Gregory Krieg |website=CNN|date=November 23, 2020 |access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123194553/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/joe-biden-foreign-policy-national-security-cabinet/index.html|url-status=live}} It was also reported that Biden will nominate former Chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen to be Treasury Secretary.{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Jeff |last2=Siegel |first2=Rachel |title=Biden's pick for treasury secretary will be Janet Yellen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/11/23/bidens-pick-treasury-secretary-will-be-janet-yellen/ |access-date=November 24, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124005425/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/11/23/bidens-pick-treasury-secretary-will-be-janet-yellen/ |url-status=live }}

File:Ron Klain 2015.jpg|Ron Klain
White House Chief of Staff
(announced November 11){{Cite web |date=2020-11-12 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Names Ron Klain as White House Chief of Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-names-ron-klain-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124090941/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-names-ron-klain-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/ |url-status=live }}

File:Bruce Reed-VPCOS.png|Bruce Reed
White House Deputy Chief of Staff
(announced December 22){{Cite web |date=2020-12-22 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announce Additional Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-12-22 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222145938/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}

File:Mike Donilon - January 2013.jpg|Mike Donilon
Senior Advisor
(announced November 17){{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033625/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}

File:Cedric Richmond official photo.jpg|Cedric Richmond
Senior Advisor & Director of the Office of Public Engagement
(announced November 17)

File:Steve Ricchetti.jpg|Steve Ricchetti
Counselor to the President
(announced November 17)

File:Jeffrey Zients official portrait.jpg|Jeff Zients
Counselor/Covid Coordinator
(announced December 7)

File:Dana Remus.jpg|Dana Remus
White House Counsel
(announced November 17)

File:Stuart Delery.png|Stuart Delery
Deputy Counsel to the President
(announced December 23){{Cite web |date=2020-12-23 |title=President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Announced Additional Members of the Office of White House Counsel |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-and-vice-president-elect-harris-announce-additional-members-of-the-office-of-the-white-house-counsel/ |access-date=2020-12-23 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223143751/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-and-vice-president-elect-harris-announce-additional-members-of-the-office-of-the-white-house-counsel/ |url-status=live }}

File:Julie Chavez Rodriguez (cropped).jpg|Julie Rodriguez
Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
(announced November 17)

File:Catherine M Russell 2015.jpg|Cathy Russell
Director of White House Presidential Personnel Office
(announced November 20){{Cite web|date=2020-11-20 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff-2/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208173620/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff-2/ |url-status=live }}

File:Gautam Raghavan (cropped).jpg|Gautam Raghavan
Deputy Director of White House Presidential Personnel
(announced December 22)

File:No image.svg|Annie Tomasini
Director of Oval Office Operations
(announced November 17)

File:No image.svg|Jessica Hertz
Staff Secretary
(announced December 30) {{Cite web |date=2020-12-30 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announce Additional Members of White House Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-staff/ |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231083728/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-staff/ |url-status=live }}

File:Catherine Lhamon staff photo-US DoE.jpg|Catherine E. Lhamon
Deputy Director, Domestic Policy Council for Racial Justice and Equality
(announced January 14){{Cite web |date=2021-01-14 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announces Additional Members of White House Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-staff-4/ |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114165738/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-white-house-staff-4/ |url-status=live }}

File:Jake-Sullivan-WH.png|Jake Sullivan
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
(announced November 24)

File:Kate Bedingfield (The Circus on SHOWTIME).jpg|Kate Bedingfield
White House Communications Director
(announced November 29){{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Announce Members of White House Senior Communications Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-members-of-white-house-senior-communications-staff/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130201438/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-members-of-white-house-senior-communications-staff/ |url-status=live }}

File:Pili Tobar at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.jpg|Pili Tobar
Deputy White House Communications Director
(announced November 29)

File:Official photo of Jen Psaki.jpg|Jen Psaki
White House Press Secretary
(announced November 29)

File:Karine Jean-Pierre at BookExpo (05336) (cropped).jpg|Karine Jean-Pierre
Principal Deputy Press Secretary
(announced November 29)

File:Vinay Reddy, EOP.png|Vinay Reddy
Director of Speechwriting
(announced December 22)

File:Tina Flournoy.jpg|Hartina Flournoy
Chief of Staff to the Vice President
(announced December 3){{Cite web |date=2020-12-03 |title=Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Announces Members of White House Senior Staff |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208012659/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announces-members-of-white-house-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}

File:Nancy McEldowney photo (cropped).jpg|Nancy McEldowney
National Security Advisor to the Vice President
(announced December 3)

File:No image.svg|Michale Fuchs
Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President
(announced December 3){{cite web |title=Kamala Harris Announces New Additions To Her Incoming Staff |last1=Gray |first1=Madison |url=https://www.bet.com/article/ic3j8d/kamala-harris-announces-new-staff-additions |work=BET |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2021}}

File:Rohini Kosoglu.jpg|Rohini Kosoglu
Policy Advisor to the Vice President
(announced December 3)

File:No image.svg|Ashley Etienne
Communications Director for the Vice President
(announced November 29)

File:Symone Sanders by Gage Skidmore.jpg|Symone Sanders
Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson to the Vice President
(announced November 29)

File:No image.svg|Cynthia Bernstein
Director of Management and Administration for the Vice President
(announced December 30)

File:Josh Hsu Holiday Portrait2.png|Josh Hsu
Counsel to the Vice President
(announced December 30)

File:Philip H. Gordon.jpg|Philip H. Gordon
Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President
(announced January 16){{cite news |title=Biden nominates veteran diplomats for top State posts |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-diplomats/biden-nominates-veteran-diplomats-for-top-state-posts-idUSKBN29L0I0 |work=Reuters |date=January 16, 2021 |accessdate=September 15, 2021}}

File:No image.svg|Herbie Ziskend
Deputy Communications Director for the Vice President
(announced November 29)

File:No image.svg|Anthony Bernal
Senior Advisor to the First Lady
(announced November 17)

File:Mala Adiga portrait.jpg|Mala Adiga
Policy Director to the First Lady
(announced November 20)

File:Carlos Elizondo.jpg|Carlos Elizondo
White House Social Secretary
(announced November 20)

File:No image.svg|Elizabeth E. Alexander
Communications Director for the First Lady
(announced November 29)

File:Julissa Reynoso, WH Chief of Staff.jpg|Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón
Chief of Staff to the First Lady
(announced November 17){{cite news |last1=Wilkie |first1=Christina |title=Biden picks for senior White House staff include loyalists, rising Democratic stars |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/17/biden-picks-for-senior-white-house-staff-include-loyalists-rising-democratic-stars.html |access-date=November 17, 2020 |work=CNBC |date=November 17, 2020 |language=en}}

File:20210427-OSEC-TEW-001 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (51148817903) (cropped).jpg|Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture
(announced December 10){{Cite web |title=Domestic Nominees and Appointees |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/domestic-nominees-and-appointees/ |access-date=2020-12-10 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210164954/https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/domestic-nominees-and-appointees/ |url-status=live }}

File:Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, official portrait (cropped).jpg|Miguel Cardona
Secretary of Education
(announced December 22){{cite web |title=DOMESTIC NOMINEES AND APPOINTEES |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/dr-miguel-cardona/ |website=Biden-Harris transition |access-date=23 December 2020}}

File:Secretary Marty Walsh (cropped).jpg|Marty Walsh
Secretary of Labor
(reported January 7){{cite news |author=Politico Staff |title=Biden chooses Boston mayor Walsh as Labor secretary |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/07/biden-chooses-boston-mayor-walsh-as-labor-secretary-455899 |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=POLITICO |date=7 January 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107184206/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/07/biden-chooses-boston-mayor-walsh-as-labor-secretary-455899 |url-status=live }}

File:HHS Xavier Becerra (cropped).jpg|Xavier Becerra
Secretary of Health and Human Services
(announced December 7){{Cite web |date=December 7, 2020 |title=President-elect Joe Biden Announces Key Members of Health Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-key-members-of-health-team/ |access-date=December 7, 2020 |website=Build Back Better |language=en-US |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207211036/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-announces-key-members-of-health-team/ |url-status=live }}

File:Secretary Fudge official photo (cropped).png|Marcia Fudge
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
(announced December 10)

File:Pete Buttigieg official photo (cropped).jpg|Pete Buttigieg
Secretary of Transportation
(announced December 15){{Cite web |date=2020-12-15 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Nominee for Secretary of Transportation |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-mayor-pete-buttigieg-as-nominee-for-secretary-of-transportation/ |access-date=2020-12-15 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216002007/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-mayor-pete-buttigieg-as-nominee-for-secretary-of-transportation/ |url-status=live }}

File:Secretary McDonough, official photo (cropped).jpg|Denis McDonough
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
(announced December 10)

File:Susan E. Rice, DPC Director (cropped 2).jpg|Susan Rice
Director of the United States Domestic Policy Council
(announced December 10)

File:Isabella Casillas Guzman, SBA Administrator.png|Isabel Guzman
Administrator, Small Business Administration
(reported January 7){{cite news |first1=Hans|last1=Nichols|first2=Ursula|last2=Perano |title=Biden to pick Isabel Guzman as Small Business Administrator |url=https://www.axios.com/guzman-biden-sba-small-business-administration-2374a5f5-5131-4b81-adc9-fe51880fa489.html |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=Axios |language=en |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107193509/https://www.axios.com/guzman-biden-sba-small-business-administration-2374a5f5-5131-4b81-adc9-fe51880fa489.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic&utm_content=1100 |url-status=live }}

File:Secretary Janet Yellen portrait (cropped).jpg|Janet Yellen
Secretary of the Treasury
(announced November 30){{Cite web |date=2020-11-30 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of Economic Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-economic-team/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130145843/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-economic-team/ |url-status=live }}

File:Gina Raimondo (cropped 2).jpg|Gina Raimondo
Secretary of Commerce
(reported January 7){{cite news |last1=Zeleny |first1=Jeff |title=Biden poised to tap Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to lead Commerce Department |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/gina-raimondo-biden-commerce/index.html |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=CNN |date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107195048/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/gina-raimondo-biden-commerce/index.html |url-status=live }}

File:Brian Deese official portrait.jpg|Brian Deese
Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
Director, National Economic Council
(announced December 3){{Cite web|url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/brian-deese/|title=Brian Deese, Director of the National Economic Council|language=en|access-date=December 3, 2020|date=December 3, 2020|work=Biden-Harris Transition|archive-date=December 8, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208153448/https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/brian-deese/}}

File:Neera Tanden by Gage Skidmore.jpg|Neera Tanden
Director, Office of Management and Budget
(announced November 30)

File:Katherine Tai, official portrait.jpg|Katherine Tai
United States Trade Representative
(announced December 10)

File:Jared Bernstein, CEA Member.jpg|Jared Bernstein
Member of the Council of Economic Advisors
(announced November 30)

File:Heather M. Boushey, CEA Member.jpg|Heather Boushey
Member of the Council of Economic Advisors
(announced November 30)

File:Cecilia Rouse, CEA Chair.png|Cecilia Rouse
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors
(announced November 30){{cite web |title=Biden names Neera Tanden, Cecilia Rouse to economic team |last1=Bennett |first1=Geoff |last2=Welker |first2=Kristin |last3=Stelloh |first3=Tim |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-expected-name-neera-tanden-cecilia-rouse-economic-team-n1249305 |work=NBC |date=November 30, 2020 |accessdate=September 8, 2021}}

File:Secretary Jennifer Granholm (cropped).jpg|Jennifer Granholm
Secretary of Energy
(announced December 17){{Cite web |date=2020-12-18 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of His Climate Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-his-climate-team/ |access-date=2020-12-18 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218014108/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-his-climate-team/ |url-status=live }}

File:Secretary Deb Haaland, official headshot.jpg|Deb Haaland
Secretary of the Interior
(announced December 17)

File:Michael S. Regan official photo (cropped).jpg|Michael S. Regan
Administrator of the EPA
(announced December 17)

File:Brenda Mallory, CEQ Chair portrait.jpg|Brenda Mallory
Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality
(announced December 17)

File:Gina McCarthy, National Climate Advisor.png|Gina McCarthy
White House Climate Advisor
(announced December 17)

File:Ali Zaidi, Deputy National Climate Advisor.jpg|Ali Zaidi
Deputy White House Climate Advisor
(announced December 17)

File:Secretary Blinken's Official Department Photo (cropped).jpg|Antony Blinken
Secretary of State
(announced November 24){{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=President-Elect Biden Announces Key Members of Foreign Policy and National Security Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-foreign-policy-and-national-security-team/ |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129194930/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-foreign-policy-and-national-security-team/ |url-status=live }}

File:Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III (50885754687) (cropped).jpg|Lloyd Austin
Secretary of Defense
(announced December 8){{Cite web |date=2020-12-08 |title=President-elect Biden Nominates Retired Four-Star General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-nominates-retired-four-star-general-lloyd-austin-as-secretary-of-defense/ |access-date=2020-12-09 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208230237/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-nominates-retired-four-star-general-lloyd-austin-as-secretary-of-defense/ |url-status=live }}

File:Attorney General Merrick Garland (cropped).jpg|Merrick Garland
Attorney General
(announced January 7){{cite web |title=Judge Merrick Garland, Attorney General |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/merrick-garland/ |website=Buildbackbetter.gov |access-date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107150808/https://buildbackbetter.gov/nominees-and-appointees/merrick-garland/ |url-status=live }}

File:Secretary Mayorkas Official Photo (cropped).jpg|Alejandro Mayorkas
Secretary of Homeland Security
(announced November 24)

File:Avril-Haines (cropped).jpg|Avril Haines
Director of National Intelligence
(announced November 24)

File:Linda-Thomas-Greenfield-v1-8x10-1.jpg|Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
(announced November 24)

File:John Kerry portrait of Climate Envoy (cropped).jpg|John Kerry
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
(announced November 24)

File:Lisa Monaco, Deputy Attorney General.jpg|Lisa Monaco
Deputy Attorney General
(announced January 7){{cite web |title=Biden to nominate Merrick Garland as attorney general |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/merrick-garland-biden-attorney-general/index.html |website=CNN |last1=Zeleny |first1=Jeff |last2=Sullivan |first2=Kate |last3=Saenz |first3=Arlette |date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=7 January 2021 }}

File:Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, USPHS (cropped).jpg|Dr. Vivek Murthy
Surgeon General
(announced December 7)

File:CDC-Director-Rochelle-Walensky-Headshot.jpg|Dr. Rochelle Walensky
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(announced December 7)

File:Marcella Nuñez-Smith at NIMHD 10th Anniversary Symposium 01.jpg|Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith
Chair of the COVID-19 Equity Task Force
(announced December 7)

File:Anthony Fauci 2020.jpg|Dr. Anthony Fauci
Chief Medical Advisor to the President
(announced December 7)

File:Francis_Collins_official_photo.jpg|Dr. Francis Collins
Director of the National Institutes of Health
(announced January 16){{Cite web |date=January 16, 2021 |title=President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of his White House Science Team |url=https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-his-white-house-science-team// |access-date=January 16, 2021 |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115235343/https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-biden-announces-key-members-of-his-white-house-science-team/ }}

Bhavya Lal was appointed as the Acting Chief of Staff for NASA at the White House.{{Cite web |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/who-is-bhavya-lal-new-acting-chief-of-staff-at-nasa/story/429970.html |title=Who is Bhavya Lal, new acting chief of staff at NASA |date=February 2, 2021 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=February 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221092655/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/who-is-bhavya-lal-new-acting-chief-of-staff-at-nasa/story/429970.html |url-status=live }}[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/indian-american-bhavya-lal-appointed-acting-chief-of-staff-of-nasa/articleshow/80637310.cms Indian-American Bhavya Lal appointed acting chief of staff of NASA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220002923/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/indian-american-bhavya-lal-appointed-acting-chief-of-staff-of-nasa/articleshow/80637310.cms |date=February 20, 2021 }}, Times of India, February 1, 2021, retrieved February 25, 2021.

File:Eric Lander (cropped).jpg|Dr. Eric Lander
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
(announced January 16)

File:Alondra Nelson, OSTP Deputy Director.jpg|Dr. Alondra Nelson
Deputy Director for science and society of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
(announced January 16)

File:Maria Zuber - GRAIL MoonKAM Student Expo 2012 (cropped).jpg|Dr. Maria Zuber
Co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
(announced January 16)

File:Frances_Arnold_EM1B5928_(32361895088).jpg|Dr. Frances Arnold
Co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
(announced January 16)

There was a great deal of resistance to Biden staffers by Trump appointees, and not much cooperation.{{cite web |last1=Hunnicutt |first1=Trevor |title=Biden Team Says Defense Department Officials Halted Cooperation |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2020-12-18/biden-team-says-has-some-defense-dept-officials-not-cooperating-in-transition |website=U.S. News & World Report |publisher=U.S. News & World Report L.P. |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121003719/https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2020-12-18/biden-team-says-has-some-defense-dept-officials-not-cooperating-in-transition |url-status=live }} Then on December 18, acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller said in a statement that the transition team had agreed to a two-week pause in discussions over the December holiday period. This was news to the Biden transition team, who immediately said they had not agreed to any such thing.{{cite web |last1=Kheel |first1=Rebecca |title=Biden team expresses concern over 'abrupt halt' in cooperation with Pentagon |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/530856-biden-team-expresses-concern-over-abrupt-halt-in-cooperation-with-pentagon |website=TheHill.com |date=December 18, 2020 |publisher=The Hill. |access-date=December 19, 2020}}

President-elect Joe Biden plans on signing several executive orders after being sworn into office on January 20, 2021. His planned executive orders include:

• Rejoining the Paris Agreement
• Reversing President Trump's planned withdrawal from the World Health Organization
• Reinstating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program
• Repealing Presidential Proclamation 9983 and the Presidential Memorandum on Military Service by Transgender Individuals
• Barring anyone in his administration from influencing any United States Justice Department investigations
• Instituting new ethics guidelines at the White House{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-first-executive-orders-measures/2020/11/07/9fb9c1d0-210b-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|title=Biden plans immediate flurry of executive orders to reverse Trump policies|first1=Matt|last1=Viser|first2=Seung Min|last2=Kim|first3=Annie|last3=Linskey|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 15, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115170957/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-first-executive-orders-measures/2020/11/07/9fb9c1d0-210b-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2020/11/08/biden-plans-these-5-executive-orders/|title=Biden Plans These 5 Executive Orders|first=Zack|last=Friedman|website=Forbes|access-date=November 15, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035957/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2020/11/08/biden-plans-these-5-executive-orders/|url-status=live}}
• Freezing so-called midnight regulations that have not taken place by January 20{{cite news |last1=Zilbermints |first1=Regina |title=Biden aims to freeze Trump's 'midnight regulations' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/532119-biden-aims-to-freeze-trumps-midnight-regulations |access-date=December 30, 2020 |work=TheHill |date=December 30, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214233226/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/532119-biden-aims-to-freeze-trumps-midnight-regulations |url-status=live }}

In addition to these executive orders, President-elect Biden plans to issue a large number of executive orders on day one relating to climate change,{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/climate-executive-actions-joe-biden/index.html|title=Here are 10 climate executive actions Biden says he will take on day one|first=Kate|last=Sullivan|date=November 11, 2020 |via=CNN|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117011952/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/climate-executive-actions-joe-biden/index.html|url-status=live}} and cancel several health care policies put in place by the Trump administration including Medicaid work requirements, short-term health plans, Obamacare funding cuts, Title X abortion referral restrictions, and the Mexico City Policy, as well as reinstating Planned Parenthood funding and restoring LGBTQ regulations.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/15/politics/biden-overturn-trump-health-care-policies/index.html|title=Here are 7 Trump health care measures that Biden will likely overturn|first1=Tami|last1=Luhby|first2=Caroline|last2=Kelly|first3=Devan|last3=Cole|website=CNN|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116104355/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/15/politics/biden-overturn-trump-health-care-policies/index.html|url-status=live}} President-elect Biden also stated he would urge all Americans to wear a mask for the first 100 days of his presidency in an effort to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |last2=Reston |first2=Maeve |title=Biden urges America to mask up for 100 days as coronavirus surges |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/03/politics/biden-harris-interview-covid-mask/index.html |access-date=December 9, 2020 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209122622/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/03/politics/biden-harris-interview-covid-mask/index.html |url-status=live }}

Except for those noted, the transition team was announced on September 5.

• Anita Dunn, former acting White House communications director{{cite web |title=Cindy McCain Joins Biden-Harris Transition Team's Advisory Board |url=https://buildbackbetter.com/press-releases/cindy-mccain-joins-biden-harris-transition-teams-advisory-board/ |website=President-Elect Joe Biden |access-date=November 9, 2020 |date=September 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115172252/https://buildbackbetter.com/press-releases/cindy-mccain-joins-biden-harris-transition-teams-advisory-board/ |url-status=live }}
• Ted Kaufman (announced June 20, 2020), former United States senator from Delaware{{cite web|date=November 9, 2017|title=Biden Transition Organization – Staff, Advisors|url=https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|access-date=November 9, 2020|website=www.democracyinaction.us|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029093141/https://www.democracyinaction.us/2020/chrntran/bidentransition.html|url-status=live}}
• Michelle Lujan Grisham, incumbent governor of New Mexico
• Cedric Richmond, incumbent United States representative from Louisiana
• Jeffrey Zients, former director of the National Economic Council, former acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, former chief performance officer of the United States

• Tony Allen, incumbent president of Delaware State University
• Jared Bernstein, economist
• Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate
• Leslie R. Caldwell, former Assistant Attorney General.{{cite web |title=Biden expands transition team, adding key campaign allies and top Obama-Biden policy hands |last1=Bradner |first1=Eric |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/05/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html |work=CNN |date=September 5, 2020 |accessdate=September 13, 2021}}
• Mark Gitenstein, former United States ambassador to Romania
• Cecilia Martinez, executive director of the Center for Earth, Energy, and Democracy
• Cindy McCain (announced September 28, 2020), Chair of the McCain Institute for International Leadership Board of Trustees and widow of former United States senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain
• Bob McDonald, former United States secretary of Veterans Affairs
• Minyon Moore, principal at Dewey Square Group
• Vivek Murthy, former surgeon general of the United States
• Susan Rice, former national security advisor
• Teresa Romero, incumbent president of the United Farm Workers
• Cathy Russell, former ambassador at large for global women's issues
• Lonnie Stephenson, incumbent international president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• Felicia Wong, president and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute
• Sally Yates, former acting Attorney General of the United States

• Yohannes Abraham, director of day-to-day operations, former staffer in the Obama White House.{{cite web |title=Biden officially forms transition team |last1=Mucha |first1=Sarah |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/joe-biden-transition-team/index.html |work=CNN |date=June 20, 2020 |accessdate=September 7, 2021}}
• Cecilia Muñoz, former director of the White House Domestic Policy Council under President Obama{{cite news |title=Some big, early shifts on immigration expected under Biden |last1=Fox |first1=Ben |last2=Spagat |first2=Elliot |date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=September 21, 2021 |work=The Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-virus-outbreak-immigration-2c47c4e0f429476e991a1aff67cbb90b}}
• Avril Haines, national security and foreign policy, former principal deputy national security adviser and deputy director of the CIA.
• Suzy George, served as an aide to former secretary of state Madeleine Albright.{{cite web |title=Biden fills out State Department team with Obama veterans |last1=Lee |first1=Matthew |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-biden-cabinet-antony-blinken-foreign-policy-e7026ce218735c9faec9c7349aefb51e |work=Associated Press |date=January 16, 2021 |accessdate=September 7, 2021}}
• Awenate Cobbina, director of operations, chair of Michigan Economic Development Corporation{{cite web |last1=Nagl |first1=Kurt |title=Awenate Cobbina reflects on the art of the transition |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/conversation/awenate-cobbina-reflects-art-transition |website=Crain's Detroit Business |access-date=September 17, 2021 |language=en |date=May 14, 2021}}
• Lisa Monaco, homeland security adviser, homeland security adviser under the Obama administration{{cite web |last1=Zeleny |first1=Jeff |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Paul |title=Biden taps Lisa Monaco as homeland security adviser to inauguration amid rising threats |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/joe-biden-lisa-monaco-inauguration/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=January 15, 2021}}

In addition to the roughly $6 million in federal funding the transition received, it raised $22.1 million in private contributions. The Biden transition made $24 million in expenditures.{{cite web |last1=Schouten |first1=Fredreka |title=President Joe Biden raised $22 million to fund his transition to power |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/politics/biden-raising-money-white-house-transition/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=February 23, 2021 |date=February 22, 2021 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223080603/https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/politics/biden-raising-money-white-house-transition/index.html |url-status=live }}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• {{official website}}
• [https://www.gsa.gov/governmentwide-initiatives/presidential-transition-directory Presidential Transition Directory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301062723/https://www.gsa.gov/governmentwide-initiatives/presidential-transition-directory |date=March 1, 2021 }} at the General Services Administration

{{United States presidential transitions}}

{{2020 United States presidential election}}

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{{First presidency of Donald Trump}}

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