Trump transition finally signs White House agreement following delay

After delays, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has finally signed a memorandum of understanding with the White House, allowing for coordination with federal agencies. This agreement permits the incoming administration to access government resources such as personnel and documents. Trump’s team had missed previous deadlines to sign similar agreements, prompting criticism from officials and lawmakers, particularly concerning the potential impact on a smooth transition of power. While the White House and GSA urged Trump’s team to sign the agreements for a more seamless transition, Trump’s team operated as a “self-sufficient organization” and did not sign the GSA memo for additional resources. Additionally, Trump’s team had not signed an agreement with the Justice Department for FBI background checks on Cabinet nominees, further raising concerns among lawmakers. The White House, although disagreeing with the decisions made by Trump’s team, is committed to facilitating a smooth transition in the best interest of the American people. The agreement with the White House requires Trump to publicly post his ethics plan for the transition on the GSA website, which was uploaded following the standard guidelines. The lack of signed agreements with the GSA and Justice Department may continue to be a point of contention as Trump’s administration takes office.

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