Trump throws transition into turmoil while refusing to concede

A woman participates in a pro-Trump demonstration in Santa Ana, California on Monday (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register/AP)

The US presidential transition was thrown into tumult on Monday, with Donald Trump blocking government co-operation with Joe Biden’s team and Attorney General William Barr authorising the Justice Department to investigate allegations of electoral fraud.

Some Republicans, including Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, rallied behind Mr Trump’s efforts to fight the election results.