Obama committed to orderly transition to President-elect, says State Department

The U.S. Department of State, says President Barack Obama’s administration is committed to ensuring professional and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump.

Mr Mark Toner, the Deputy Director of Press, via a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in New York said Obama was committed to well coordinated transition.

“President Obama and Secretary Kerry are obviously very committed to preparing for a well coordinated and effective transition to the incoming administration.

“Several months ago, Kerry designated three experienced senior career officials to oversee that transition – Counselor Kristie Kenney and Under Secretary Patrick Kennedy, and they’re working closely with Executive Secretary Joseph MacManus.”

The spokesman said when Trump’s transition team arrives at the department, the full expertise and support of the office would be at the president-elect’s disposal.

He said as it had done with every transition, it would provide administrative support staff to assist the Trump’s team as it requests information or briefings from the department.

Toner said in spite of the heated presidential election, the calm outcome had assured the international community and vindicated America that peaceful transition was the hallmark of U.S. democracy.

“President Obama put it very eloquently when he said that a peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.

“I think the world saw that and hopefully was reassured by it in full display in President-elect Trump’s remarks, Secretary Clinton’s very gracious concession speech, and also in President Obama’s remarks.”

The spokesman said the focus of the department in the next few weeks would focus on foreign policy and national security.

“Our focus at the State Department is to work, I think, to ensure two things: one, that we continue to work to make progress on our foreign policy priorities in the time remaining for this administration.

“Secondly, that we work as closely and effectively with the incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition with respect to this nation’s national security and its foreign policy priorities."