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Concerns Grow Over Trump’s Delayed Transition Planning
As President-elect Donald Trump continues to forgo formal transition protocols with the Biden administration, a non-profit organization advocating for good governance has raised alarms about the potential fallout. The Partnership for Public Service warns that this ongoing inaction is already hindering the federal government’s capacity to provide essential security clearances and briefings for the incoming administration.
Max Stier, who leads the Partnership for Public Service, stated that without a structured transition, it would be nearly impossible for the administration to be adequately prepared to govern from day one.
The president-elect’s transition team, headed by Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, and Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration, initially indicated that they planned to formalize the transition process with the Biden White House and the General Services Administration (GSA). Yet, those agreements remain unsigned, and the pressure for movement is mounting.
This delay is significant as it inhibits the federal government’s ability to begin processing security clearances for numerous Trump administration national security appointees, which could restrict the personnel who can handle sensitive information by Inauguration Day on January 20.
In addition, Trump appointees have yet to gain access to critical federal facilities, documentation, and personnel needed to prepare for their new roles.
The agreements in question are part of the Presidential Transition Act, enacted in 2022, which requires the president-elect’s team to establish an ethics plan while also adhering to guidelines surrounding private donations. The act set deadlines of September 1 for the GSA agreement and October 1 for the White House agreement, both of which have long passed.
Stier emphasized that a new administration takes on the responsibility of managing the world’s most intricate operation. “To do this effectively, prework is essential,” he remarked, highlighting that Trump’s team has approached this transition unusually compared to previous administrations.
“They have largely disregarded vital agreements with the federal government,” Stier noted, contrasting the current situation with Trump’s previous transition when initial agreements were signed, despite other unconventional decisions.
In a recent statement, Lutnick and McMahon touted Trump’s efforts in selecting personnel to advance policies that ensure the safety and security of Americans but omitted any mention of the necessary transition agreements.
According to an individual familiar with the situation, concerns regarding required ethics disclosures and contribution limits may explain the reluctance to finalize the agreements.
Transition spokesperson Brian Hughes mentioned ongoing discussions with Biden-Harris administration lawyers, noting that the team is working towards a resolution regarding the agreements outlined by the Presidential Transition Act.
Despite efforts by Biden’s chief of staff, Jeff Zients, to emphasize the necessity of these agreements for a smooth transition, the Trump team’s hesitation remains.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed the administration’s willingness to assist, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and ensuring that Trump’s team has what they need for an effective start.
This situation mirrors events following Trump’s election victory in 2016, when he dismissed his transition team leader, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and abandoned a transition blueprint. Stier pointed out that at that time, initial agreements were eventually signed, enabling a transition to begin. “The story isn’t over, but they’re late,” he concluded, stressing that even if agreements are established now, they will be significantly behind schedule.
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www.yahoo.com