US president-elect Joe Biden said his team was facing "road blocks" in obtaining important national security information as part of the transition of power, blaming members of the Trump administration. "We just aren't getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas," Mr Biden said in a short briefing from Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday. He said there was a lack of information and procedural difficulties from leadership of the US Defence Department and the Office of Management and Budget. "It's nothing short, in my view, of irresponsibility," Mr Biden said. He held a virtual briefing with his national security team earlier on Monday. "We need to make sure that nothing is lost in the handoff between administrations," Mr Biden said. "My team needs a clear picture of our force posture around the world and of our operations to deter our enemies." He said his national security goals on top of his mind were Covid-19, improved global diplomacy, climate change, and relations with China. Mr Biden also referred to recent incidents of the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/the-americas/us-cybersecurity-agency-warns-of-grave-threat-from-wide-ranging-hack-1.1130935">SolarWinds hack</a> and the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/the-americas/nashville-blast-suspect-anthony-quinn-warner-died-in-explosion-1.1136021">Nashville bombing</a> on Christmas day as important events to prepare for national security as the next commander-in-chief. The government <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/the-americas/us-government-agencies-begin-transition-to-biden-as-trump-considers-pardons-1.1117917">delayed the presidential transition</a> as the General Services Administration, whose leader was appointed by President Donald Trump, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/the-americas/donald-trump-agrees-transition-of-power-to-joe-biden-can-begin-1.1116604">did not start the process</a> for weeks after the election. Mr Trump has still not conceded to Mr Biden. The president-elect, formerly vice president under president Barack Obama, said that national security agencies had been "hollowed out", making it new challenge for his administration. "The truth is, many of the agencies that are critical to our security have incurred enormous damage," Mr Biden said. "All of it makes it harder for our government to protect the American people and to defend our vital interests in a world where threats are constantly evolving and our adversaries are constantly adapting." Mr Biden is slated to hold a briefing about the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday.
