Donald Trump has accepted that a formal transition can begin for US President-elect Joe Biden to take office.
The president said he was recommending a key federal agency “do what needs to be done”, even as he vowed to continue contesting the result.
The General Services Administration said it was acknowledging Mr Biden as the “apparent winner”.
Earlier, Mr Biden’s victory in the US state of Michigan was officially certified, in a major blow to Mr Trump.
One of two Republicans on the Michigan State Board of Canvassers joined the two Democrats to finalise the result. The other Republican abstained.
Mr Biden was projected to win the state by more than 150,000 votes.