The White House has given its blessing for President-elect Joe Biden to receive the summary of intelligence reports contained in the presidential daily brief that President Trump receives, according to a White House official.
The decision comes just a day after Trump acknowledged that the transition is going ahead and the General Services Administration gave its formal ascertainment allowing for Biden and his team to prepare ahead of inauguration on Jan. 20.
Trump has not conceded the election, but now Biden can receive intelligence about major national security threats around the globe. "It's been offered. I did not have it today. We're going to do it on a regular basis," Biden told reporters in Wilmington, Del.
Until now, Biden has been holding security briefings with a group of national security experts that includes many former officials. But he has not had access to specific classified data compiled by government agencies.
Biden also said his staff have spoken with Dr. Anthony Fauci about the coronavirus. "He's been very, very helpful," Biden said, noting that he has not spoken with Fauci himself.
One thing that hasn't happened: the traditional White House visit, where the outgoing president meets with the incoming president-elect. Asked on Tuesday if he would meet with Trump, Biden said: "Of course I would, if he asked."
Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDAxMzY2MjQ0MDEyMzcyMDQ5MzBhZWU5NA001))
