Trump-Biden transition updates: At least 20 arrested, 1 stabbed at DC protests

Speaking to reporters in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden, in his first comments on Trump not acknowledging his president-elect status, called Trump’s refusal to concede "an embarrassment."

"I just think it's an embarrassment, quite frankly. How can I say this tactfully? I think it will not help the president's legacy,” Biden said.

ABC News' Senior Congressional Correspondent Mary Bruce asked Biden if he had reached out to President Trump. "And if he is watching right now, what would you say to him?" she asked.

Biden grinned widely and spoke directly to the camera. “Mr. President, I look forward to speaking with you," he said.

Asked about Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's earlier declaration that there would be a "smooth transition to a second Trump administration," Biden again brushed off any concerns.

"Well, first of all, we are already beginning the transition. We're well under way," Biden said.

Biden also said he can get by lacking access to intelligence -- the President's Daily Brief -- as the General Services Administration has not yet acknowledged him as president-elect.

"Well, look, access to classified information is useful, but I'm not in a position to make any decisions on those issues anyway. As I said, one president at a time, and he will be president until January 20th," Biden said.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested that he wouldn't recognize the outcome of the election until the Electoral College meets next month.

"Until the Electoral College votes, anyone who's running for office can exhaust concerns about counting in any court of appropriate jurisdiction. It is not unusual; it should not be alarming. At some point here we will find out finally who is certified in each of these states and the Electoral College will determine the winner and that person will be sworn in on January 20. No reason for alarm."

Asked about McConnell's earlier comments, Biden, speaking in Wilmington, Delaware, said it reflects the position of several Republicans who are facing pressure from the president.

“I think that the whole Republican party has been put in a position, with a few notable exceptions, of being mildly intimidated by the sitting president. But there's only one president at a time. He's president,” Biden said. “We're gonna have the Electoral College -- will be making their judgment in December. It will be announced in early January. But in the meantime, I hope to get a chance to speak to Mitch."

ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Asked during an ongoing press conference whether the State Department agency will assist with a smooth transition to the Biden administration and "at what point does a delay hamper a smooth transition or pose a risk to national security," Secretary of State Pompeo responded: "There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration."

"I'm very confident that we will do all the things that are necessary to make sure that the government, the United States government continues to perform its national security function as we go forward," Pompeo said. 

His comments come as several foreign heads of states have already congratulated Biden on the election.

A masked Vice President Mike Pence, arriving at the Senate GOP lunch Tuesday afternoon on Capitol Hill, ignored reporter questions about whether it's time for the president to concede the presidential race.

"Mr. Vice President, is it time to concede?" a reporter asked. "Is there really any evidence of fraud?" 

The vice president did not answer and kept on walking.

Pence, in contrast to Trump, has been maintaining a public schedule despite the president's projected loss over the weekend. His visit to Capitol Hill comes one day after leading his first coronavirus task force meeting in some three weeks. Pence made sure cameras got a shot of him walking across from the Executive Office Building to the West Wing before meeting with the president Monday.

Meanwhile, this is the fifth day Trump has no public schedule.

-ABC News' Jordyn Phelps