Biden Did Not Invent the ‘Office of President-Elect’

Quick Take

Social media posts falsely claim that former Vice President Joe Biden “invented the Office of President-elect.” Donald Trump and Barack Obama also used the term during their transitions to the presidency.

---

Full Story

On Nov. 7, former Vice President Joe Biden was projected the victor in Pennsylvania, pushing him over the required 270 electoral votes needed to be named the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

Three days later, Biden appeared in Wilmington, Delaware, to address the Trump administration’s lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. On signs behind him and on the podium were the words, “Office of the President Elect.”

That image and subsequent appearances have since been used on social media to falsely claim that Biden fabricated the “Office of President Elect.”

On Nov. 11, Terrence K. Williams, an online personality and supporter of President Donald Trump, tweeted: “What in the world is the Office of President Elect? Someone Please tell Joe Biden 1. There is no such “Office of President Elect” 2. He can not Invent an Office 3. He can not claim something that has not been officially given to him.” The tweet was accompanied by a photo of Biden with the signage, “Office of the President Elect.”

Williams’ claim has since been retweeted nearly 4,500 times, and its repost on Williams’ Instagram page has received nearly 47,000 likes. The tweet also has been widely shared by pro-Trump Facebook users, including one who wrote: “This is what Propaganda and conditioning looks like. There is no *Office* of president elect.”

But Biden did not “invent” the term. In fact, the term — and similar signage — was previously used by Trump.

At a New York City press conference on Jan. 11, 2017, nine days before his inauguration, Trump addressed reporters from a podium labeled “The Office of the President Elect.”

Neither Trump nor Biden are trailblazers in their use of the term “Office of the President-elect.”

Rogers Smith, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told us in an email, “The first time I was conscious of it was when [former President Barack] Obama’s people employed it. Trump’s did too.” And, he said, “there may be earlier examples.”

Moreover, James McCann, a professor of political science at Purdue University, said in an email, “The ‘Presidential Transition Act,’ passed by Congress in 1963, directed the General Services Administration to provide office space and support for the president-elect and vice president-elect shortly after the election. The use of the term ‘Office of the President-Elect’ isn’t unusual.”  

The GSA does, indeed, use the term in the “Memorandum of Understanding Between the General Services Administration and Joseph R. Biden.” The GSA states (emphasis ours): “The Presidential Transition Act, as amended, authorizes the Administrator to seek an appropriation for the purposes of the transition of the Executive Branch of the Government in an election year, some of which is designated specifically for use at the request of the President-elect and Vice President-elect (referred collectively herein as the Office of the President-elect).”

Editor’s note: FactCheck.org is one of several organizations working with Facebook to debunk misinformation shared on social media. Our previous stories can be found here.

This fact check is available at IFCN’s 2020 US Elections FactChat #Chatbot on WhatsApp. Click here for more.

Sources

“About Terrence.” TerrenceKWilliams.com. Accessed 13 Nov 2020. 

Hershorn, Gary. “U.S.-NEW YORK-PRESIDENT-ELECT-TRUMP-NEWS CONFERENCE.” Getty Images. 11 Jan 2017.

McMann, James A. Professor of political science, Purdue University. Email to FactCheck.org. 12 Nov 2020.

Light, Paul C. “Implementation of the 1963 Presidential Transition Act.” Brookings. 4 Dec 2020.

“Memorandum of Understanding Between the General Services Administration and Joseph R. Biden, Jr.” General Services Administration. Accessed 13 Nov 2020.

“Mission and Background.” U.S. General Services Administration. 9 Oct 2020.

“Presidential Term and Succession, Assembly of Congress.” National Constitution Center. Accessed 13 Nov 2020.

Raedle, Joe. “President-Elect Biden Remarks On ACA As Supreme Court Takes On Case.” Getty Images. 10 Nov 2020.

Smith, Rogers. Professor of political science, University of Pennsylvania. Email to FactCheck.org. 12 Nov 2020.

Slodysko, Brian. “EXPLAINER: Why AP called the 2020 election for Joe Biden.” Associated Press. 7 Nov 2020.

“The Inaugural Address.” White House. 20 Jan 2017.

The post Biden Did Not Invent the ‘Office of President-Elect’ appeared first on FactCheck.org.

Stay informed: https://northdenvernews.com/category/latest/

Description

Due to the unprecedented crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, BRIO has dedicated 100% of their operations to importing critically needed respirator masks. Featuring a 3D comfort design, these KN95 masks provide filtration against particulate pollution, gases, as well as bacteria, viruses, and most odors. It's made with comfortable stretch fabric and has convenient earloops for a tight fit. These masks are perfect for everyday wear. Order your 5-Pack now!

• 3D Comfort mask design
• Convenient earloop design
• Comfortable stretch fabric for tight fit
• Easy to put on & remove

Note: These masks are not FDA approved nor are they N95. These masks are tested to meet the standards for Chinese KN-95. Tests confirmed almost 90% of particulate pollution, bacteria and viruses were successfully filtered when the mask was used. 20x more effective than cloth masks.

Specs

• Color: white
• Materials: 3-layer melt-blown non-woven PPE
• Product dimensions: 1"H x 8"L x 5"W
• 3D Comfort design
• KN95 PRC Standard (Similar to NIOSH N95)
• CE 0194
• FFP2 - EN149 Filtration Level