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Jimmy Williams
After a protracted delay, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has signed a critical memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the White House, allowing the incoming administration to begin formal coordination with federal agencies. The move marks a significant step in ensuring a smoother transition of power, despite previous concerns over missed deadlines.
Incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles confirmed the signing, emphasizing its importance. “President-elect Trump is entering the next phase of his administration’s transition by executing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Joe Biden’s White House,” Wiles said. “This agreement allows critical preparations to begin.”
Missed Deadlines and Criticism
Trump’s team faced criticism for missing key deadlines, including an October 1st deadline to sign the MOU with the White House and a September 1st deadline to enter a similar agreement with the General Services Administration (GSA). Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, previously warned that Trump’s failure to meet these deadlines risked disrupting the peaceful transfer of power.
In an October letter to Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, Raskin stated that Trump’s team was “breaking the precedent set by every other presidential candidate since 2010.” The memorandum grants access to crucial resources, including personnel and documents from federal agencies, which are essential for a seamless transition.
White House and GSA Respond
White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma expressed disappointment over the delay but reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to a peaceful transition. “While we do not agree with the Trump transition team’s decision to forgo signing the GSA MOU, we will follow the Presidential Transition Act,” Sharma said, citing the law’s intent to avoid disruptions detrimental to national security.
Despite multiple overtures from both the White House and the GSA urging Trump’s team to sign the agreement, Trump’s transition team chose to operate as a “self-sufficient organization,” bypassing additional resources such as funding and office space.
Ethics and Background Checks
As part of the agreement, Trump’s team was required to publicly post its ethics plan on the GSA website. The document, uploaded Tuesday evening, adheres to standard protocols, including commitments to avoid conflicts of interest and protect classified information.
However, concerns remain. White House officials noted that Trump’s team has yet to sign an agreement with the Justice Department, which would authorize FBI background checks for Cabinet nominees. This omission has become a contentious issue among lawmakers, particularly as Trump begins selecting key officials to lead federal agencies.
Looking Ahead
While Trump’s transition now officially enters a more coordinated phase, questions about the delays and their potential impact linger. Economists, ethics experts, and lawmakers alike are watching closely to see how these developments unfold. Despite the setbacks, both the outgoing and incoming administrations appear committed to ensuring the peaceful transfer of power, with dialogue expected to continue in the coming weeks.
