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

Before taking questions on his transition, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris focused on the Affordable Care Act in remarks Tuesday afternoon, making a point to hit the issue the same day the Supreme Court was hearing arguments for the Trump administration's efforts to strike down the law. 

Speaking after Harris’ introduction, Biden slammed Republicans for trying to take away health care coverage for people after failing to have their own plans approved twice before -- and doing so this time as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  

“This case represents the latest attempt by the far-right ideologues to do what they’ve been -- repeatedly failed to do for a long time in the courts, in the Congress, in the court of public opinion, over the last decade, to eliminate the entirety of the Affordable Care Act,” he said.  

Biden urged the Court not to “subvert” the will of the American people, casting health care as not a “partisan” issue, but rather one of “life and death.” 

Harris spoke before Biden and focused on the negative impact that the loss of ACA would have on women and people of color.

“Getting rid of the Affordable Care Act will take us backward to a time when people could charge a woman more for her healthcare than they could charge a man simply because she's a woman," Harris said, adding, "Communities of color would be hit particularly hard -- Black, Asian, Hispanic and Native American, because they are at a greater risk of pre-existing conditions."

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

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.