President-elect Donald Trump’s team has signed an agreement with the Biden White House, unlocking key transition briefings and activities after a lengthy delay that stemmed from the Trump team’s concerns over a mandatory ethics agreement.
The agreement will allow Trump’s transition team to access federal agencies and information, including security clearances necessary to receive classified information. However, the team has yet to sign an agreement with the Department of Justice to begin processing security clearances.
The Trump team has chosen to operate as a “self-sufficient organization,” using its existing ethics plan and not relying on taxpayer funding or government buildings or technology provided by the General Services Administration. The team declined to sign a memorandum of understanding with GSA, which would have provided access to office space and secure communications, among other provisions.
The Trump team’s choice not to sign the GSA agreement has raised concerns about the potential impact on national security and the transition process. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency critical to Trump’s mass deportation plan, has been unable to assess its resources and funding needs without formal transition talks.
The lack of a memorandum of understanding has also caused tension between the Trump transition team and the Biden administration, with the Biden team expressing concerns about the potential risks to national security and conflicts of interest.
However, the White House agreement does include certain safeguards aimed at protecting against conflicts of interest, including requiring the Trump transition team to provide the names and current employers of individuals with access to agencies, agency personnel, and government information, and ensuring those with access to classified information have the necessary security clearance and non-disclosure agreements.
The agreement has been welcomed by some, including a watchdog group that had previously raised concerns about the potential threats to national security. However, others, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have raised questions about the Trump team’s agreement, expressing concerns about conflicts of interest and the lack of transparency.
