WASHINGTON — A nonprofit organization focused on governance is expressing concern over the potential repercussions if President-elect Donald Trump does not engage in formal transition preparations with the Biden administration. This lack of action is already obstructing the government’s capacity to issue security clearances and provide necessary briefings to those entering leadership roles.
Max Stier, the president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, stated that without adequate planning, it would be impossible to be properly prepared to govern from the very start.
The Trump transition team, overseen by Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, and Linda McMahon, who previously managed the Small Business Administration under Trump, announced last month their intention to formalize the transition through agreements with the Biden White House and the General Services Administration (GSA). However, these agreements remain unsigned, amplifying concerns regarding the transition progress.
As a result of the delay, the federal government is hindered from processing security clearances for numerous national security appointees who would serve in the Trump administration. This setback could restrict the available personnel capable of handling sensitive matters by the time of the inauguration on January 20.
Additionally, without the signed agreements, Trump’s appointees are unable to access federal resources, including facilities, documents, and personnel essential for preparing for their new roles.
The Presidential Transition Act, established in 2022, necessitates these agreements, compelling the president-elect’s team to adopt an ethics plan and establish limits on private donations. The Act also set deadlines of September 1 for the GSA agreement and October 1 for the White House agreement to ensure that incoming administrations are ready to govern effectively. Both deadlines have now passed.
Stier highlighted that stepping into a new administration involves taking over an incredibly intricate operation, emphasizing that substantial preparation is vital. He indicated that Trump’s transition team is pursuing a notably different approach compared to past transitions, having largely ignored established traditions and crucial agreements with the federal government.
In a recent statement, Lutnick and McMahon asserted that Trump is in the process of selecting individuals to serve the nation and implement policies aimed at enhancing the safety and affordability of life for Americans. They did not provide any mention of finalizing agreements necessary to initiate the transition.
A source knowledgeable about the situation indicated that mandated ethics disclosures and contribution limitations might be causing hesitation in finalizing the agreements. Trump transition spokesperson Brian Hughes remarked that the team’s legal representatives are actively engaging with their Biden-Harris counterparts regarding the agreements outlined by the Presidential Transition Act, promising updates upon reaching a decision.
Despite Biden’s White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients reiterating the significance of these agreements with the Biden administration and the GSA for a smooth transition, the Trump team remains hesitant. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed a willingness to assist, emphasizing the desire for a tranquil transfer of power and ensuring that the incoming team has the necessary resources.
This unconventional approach to the transition process resembles the events following Trump’s electoral victory in 2016, when the president-elect dismissed the head of his transition team shortly after Election Day and discarded a compiled transition strategy.
However, Stier noted that even during that period, initial agreements were signed, paving the way for the transition, which has not yet occurred this time. He remarked that while the situation is ongoing, it is clear that they are behind schedule. Even if agreements are finalized at this stage, it would still be considered late in the process.