The Biden administration has initiated the offering of federal resources to Donald Trump and Kamala Harris for presidential transition planning, marking the first time such assistance has been extended to both candidates. Experts have noted that both Trump and Harris are lagging behind in their preparation for potential administrations.
Transition planning typically intensifies after Election Day, as the president-elect must begin the process of selecting and vetting approximately 4,000 federal political appointees. The success of the transition largely hinges on the groundwork laid during the pre-election period, which includes identifying agency review teams and commencing background checks for national security staff.
Both Vice President Harris and former President Trump recently commenced their transition planning, albeit later than previous transitions. Harris assumed the Democratic ticket's top position just five weeks ago following President Joe Biden's decision not to seek reelection, necessitating the redirection of his political operation before transitioning. On the other hand, Trump, who secured the nomination months ago, delayed the start of his transition planning for reasons that remain unclear.
Max Stier, the president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, highlighted that modern-era planning for assuming office typically commences in late spring. Stier emphasized that while it is possible to catch up, both candidates face a substantial amount of work ahead.
The General Services Administration is mandated by Congress to provide office space for Trump and Harris by Tuesday, three business days after the second nominating convention. The proximity of the office space to the White House underscores the federal resources that will be available to the election winner post-Election Day.
If Harris emerges victorious, she may opt to retain some political appointees from the Biden administration to potentially circumvent contentious confirmation battles in the event of Republican Senate control. However, significant changes are expected as Harris seeks to imprint her own vision on the government.
Trump, on the other hand, is likely aiming to avoid the missteps of his 2016 transition, which saw months of planning shelved. Stier noted that Trump's 2016 transition set a low benchmark for modern-era transition efforts.
As the transition process unfolds, both candidates are expected to establish the necessary infrastructure to engage with federal agencies, manage personnel, and develop policy plans should they secure victory in the election.
The Biden administration has been proactively preparing to support the transition process in compliance with the Presidential Transition Act. A federal transition coordinating council, chaired by Biden's chief of staff Jeff Zients, is actively working to facilitate a smooth handover of power on January 20, 2025.
