With just 13 days left until Election Day, concerns are mounting over the Trump administration's failure to take crucial steps in preparing for a potential presidential transition if President Donald Trump secures a second term.
Nonpartisan experts and Democrats have sounded alarms as Trump's team has missed key deadlines for transition planning, deviating from established norms that could complicate a peaceful transfer of power.
By September 1, both the Trump and Harris campaigns were supposed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the General Services Administration to gain access to essential resources such as office space, communications, equipment, and IT support. They were also expected to submit an ethics plan and identify individuals requiring security clearances for handling classified information during a transition.
Another deadline on October 1 required both campaigns to sign a separate memorandum of understanding with the White House outlining terms for accessing agencies, including personnel, facilities, and documents.
As of the latest update, Trump's team has failed to fulfill these requirements, while Harris' team has completed the necessary tasks.
Max Stier, president of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, expressed concerns about the implications of inadequate transition planning. Stier warned that a lack of preparation could hinder the Trump administration's ability to address critical issues from Day 1 if the President is reelected.
Stier emphasized the importance of proper preparation to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities, highlighting the challenges that may arise if the administration does not engage in essential transition work.
