In Washington, a significant event took place as senior officials from President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, including most of the appointed Cabinet nominees, convened at the White House on Wednesday. This meeting was part of a transition tabletop exercise organized by President Joe Biden’s team.
The exercise, directed by Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, was held in the White House Situation Room and lasted for two hours. Many of Biden’s outgoing Cabinet members participated in this critical session, which has been an integral part of presidential transitions since the September 11 attacks. The aim of such exercises is to facilitate a rehearsal for both incoming and outgoing teams to effectively manage various national security crises they may encounter.
During the simulation, the discussions focused on response strategies for potential terrorism incidents and the management of an avian flu outbreak, among other pressing issues. These exercises sometimes serve as a somber glimpse into future realities; for instance, during the 2016-2017 transition from President Barack Obama to Trump, one session addressed the U.S. response to a global public health crisis, which ultimately foreshadowed the COVID-19 pandemic that Trump’s administration faced shortly thereafter.
The exercise comes at a delicate time, following a recent terrorist attack in New Orleans inspired by the Islamic State, which resulted in 14 fatalities and left numerous others injured. Additionally, the nation is currently grappling with an avian flu outbreak that has claimed a life and is causing disruptions to the food supply chain.
Key participants in the exercise included Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State; former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, nominated for director of national intelligence; Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense; and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, nominated for Secretary of Homeland Security. Other notable figures included Representative Mike Waltz, who is set to serve as the national security adviser, alongside several senior officials from the Trump team.
From the Biden administration, participants included Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, among their deputies. This exercise occurred shortly after the U.S. successfully brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Biden administration has emphasized its commitment to facilitating a smooth transition, working collaboratively with Trump’s team by addressing numerous requests for information regarding ongoing government programs and sharing briefings on the most critical issues facing various agencies. This cooperative spirit follows encouragement from White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients for Trump’s team to finalize the necessary agreements with the outgoing administration to facilitate the sharing of vital information.
It’s worth noting that the Trump team opted to sign these agreements only after Election Day, contrary to the timeline recommended by Congress, which suggested these formalities be secured beforehand. Subsequently, the White House provided Trump’s team with briefings on urgent matters including global health, disaster response, and advancements in artificial intelligence, all of which may require prompt attention during the first six months of the new administration.
This recent transition exercise follows a previous session held in November with senior career government personnel, designed to ensure proper support for the incoming administration. Additionally, on the morning of the exercise, Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, was seen in the West Wing meeting with senior officials from the current administration, highlighting ongoing efforts toward a collaborative transition process.
