Sen Lankford Threatens to ‘Step In’ Unless Biden Briefed on Classified Intel
Republican senator triggers outrage by demanding intelligence is shared with a civilian
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Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) has threatened to "step in" unless Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is briefed on America's classified intelligence.
Lankford demanded that Biden, a civilian, is given access to daily intelligence briefings by the end of the week.
Speaking during an interview with radio station KRMG on Wednesday, Lankford claimed there's no harm in him participating even if it turns out he didn't win the election.
"There is no loss from him getting the briefings and to be able to do that," Lankford, who sits on the Senate Oversight Committee, told KRMG host Russell Mills.
The Oklahoma Republican warned that, if Biden is not granted access to the daily presidential intel briefings, then he would intervene.
"This needs to occur so that regardless of the outcome of the election, whichever way that it goes, people can be ready for that actual task," the senator said.
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"I gotta tell you, national security is a concern," host Mills told Lankford.
"Because Mr. Biden is not getting the briefings that he would normally be getting at this stage of the process,” he added.
"That should be resolved by Friday," Lankford declared.
"GSA has to certify that election to start turning it around," he explained.
"The first day they can do that on the calendar is Friday.
"And when that occurs, they should actually step in and, I will tell you, I’m on the committee of oversight, I’ve already started engaging in this area."
"There’s nothing wrong with Vice President Biden getting the briefings to be able to prepare himself and so that he can be ready," he continued.
"There is no loss from him getting the briefings to be able to do that, and if that’s not occurring by Friday, I will step in as well and to be able to push to say ‘This needs to occur,’ so that, regardless of the outcome of the election, whichever way that it goes, people can be ready for that actual task."
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President Donald Trump's administration has refused to allow Biden access to the daily briefings as they continue to draw into question the integrity of the election and have questions mount regarding the integrity of the election.
Republicans have cast doubt on the results, insisting there was funny business with the massive influx of mail-in ballots this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During a press conference earlier this week, a reporter asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo if the State Department's lull in transition efforts would harm national security.
"There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration," Pompeo said, implying he expects Trump to prevail despite claims of "victory" from the left.
The daily presidential intelligence briefings are highly classified and provide the president – and a legally-elected incoming president – about pressing national security issues.
