Despite President’s Comments, Transition Efforts Required By Law Are Underway

Despite President’s Comments, Transition Efforts Required By Law Are Underway

Presidential transition efforts, as required by law, have been underway within the Trump administration for almost a year, despite President Trump’s recent non-committal to a peaceful changeover. 


“We’re going to have to see what happens,” the president said during a briefing on Sept. 23 when asked if he could commit to a peaceful transition of power if he loses the election. Two days later he said he wants a “smooth, beautiful transition...but it's got to be an honest vote,” as he continues to claim that voting by mail is ripe for fraud. He also cast doubt during the debate on Tuesday night, saying there wasn’t a transition after he won in 2016 “because they came after me trying to do a coup.” 


In addition, Trump’s campaign is building a post-election litigation team and the administration is rushing to get Judge Amy Coney Barrett confirmed to the Supreme Court, which could help Trump if the election results are not clear. This could mean Trump is “contemplating denying Biden...access to the executive branch” if he wins, said Jeff Hauser, executive director of The Revolving Door Project, an initiative of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, which is trying to get progressive groups to be more engaged in the transition process. 


Despite the uncertainty over Trump’s intentions, the presidential transition, which is enshrined in various laws, began last November and, so far, the administration has met its statutory requirements, such as designating space to the Biden campaign, establishing a White House coordinating committee and council of agency transition directors a ..

Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.