We seem to have reached the inflection point today with respect to the presidential transition.

First, Michigan certified its election results (on a 3-0 vote with one Republican canvasser abstaining). Most Pennsylvania counties also certified their results as scheduled today although some counties won by Trump look to be running a little behind.

Second, late in the day the General Services Administration finally took the formal step of issuing an ascertainment letter stating that Biden is the apparent winner. Under federal law, this is a necessary precursor to official transition activities, but the Trump-appointed GSA Administrator had until today been unwilling to take this step.

Mind you, in announcing the issuance of the ascertainment letter by tweet, Trump took pains to emphasize that he was not conceding: “Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail!” However, it is hard to understand what path forward Trump thinks he has at this point.