Trump gives Biden access to daily intelligence briefings as transition moves forward

The incoming president getting access to the top-secret briefing is the most high-profile part of the transition and seen as key to the orderly transfer of presidential responsibilities to a new leader.

President-elect Joe Biden will begin to get the nation’s most classified intelligence after the White House signed off Tuesday on providing him the Presidential Daily Briefing as the transition moves forward.

US President-elect Joe Biden. (REUTERS)

The incoming president getting access to the top-secret briefing is the most high-profile part of the transition and seen as key to the orderly transfer of presidential responsibilities to a new leader.

All government agencies are now participating in briefings a day after the President Donald Trump’s administration has formally acknowledged Biden likely won -- even as the president himself has not yet conceded, a transition official said on condition of anonymity.

An intelligence official said the Biden team would meet with current intelligence officials Monday to review further details of the transition.

Biden had been receiving intelligence briefings as a presidential candidate, as part of a longstanding tradition to ease the transition of power. But Trump’s refusal to concede the presidential race complicated Biden’s ability to receive the more sensitive presidential briefing before the General Services Administration formally acknowledged Biden as the winner Monday.