Steadily more people are warning of the dangers of President Donald Trump's refusal to allow President-elect Joe Biden's transition to proceed.
Biden initially brushed off the risks of a delayed transition, but on Monday he said bluntly that "people may die" if it is delayed further.
Republicans, once silent on the matter, have also started to warn of the damage Trump is causing.
President Donald Trump's refusal to let President-elect Joe Biden start his transition is prompting a growing chorus of alarm, including from Trump's own allies.
Since most news networks called the election for Biden on November 7, Trump has refused to concede and has filed multiple lawsuits contesting the results.
He has also refused to allow the General Services Administration to authorize a presidential transition process that releases funds, briefings, and resources.
Biden initially downplayed the significance of being denied a full transition. "We don't see anything that's slowing us down," he told reporters on November 10.
While Trump's intransigence is embarrassing for the nation, Biden said, it is "not of much consequence."
One week later, Biden's tone changed dramatically. "People may die," he said on Monday, arguing that a smooth handover was vital to helping him battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden is not the only one. What began as a chorus of mostly Democrats and government ethics experts now includes:
As time passes, the warnings are likely to become more urgent still.
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