The electoral college on Monday voted Joe Biden as the winner of the December 3 US presidential election.
The confirmation is one of the steps necessary for Biden to take over the leadership of the country on January 20.
In an address shortly after the electoral college officially confirmed his victory with a final tally of 306 to 232 electoral votes, Biden said the efforts by the Republican party to undo the result represented a “position so extreme we’ve never seen it before”.
He said “it is time to turn the page”, adding that the election “was honest, it was free and it was fair. They saw it with their own eyes. And they wouldn’t be bullied into saying anything different”.
“Today, the members of the Electoral College cast their votes for president and vice president. And once again, the rule of law, our Constitution, and the will of the people have prevailed. Our democracy—pushed, tested, and threatened—proved to be resilient, true, and strong,” Biden said.
President Donald Trump, who had said the electoral college would be making a mistake if it voted Biden, has not commented on the development.
He took to his Twitter page to announce the resignation of Bill Bar, US attorney general, who refuted his claim that the election was marred by fraud.
“Just had a very nice meeting with Attorney General Bill Barr at the White House. Our relationship has been a very good one, he has done an outstanding job! As per letter, Bill will be leaving just before Christmas to spend the holidays with his family,” Trump wrote.
“Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, an outstanding person, will become Acting Attorney General. Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General. Thank you to all!”