President-elect Donald Trump has not yet signed the legal documents necessary to begin the formal transition of power from the Biden administration, causing delays in providing security clearances, briefings, and resources to his incoming team. The agreements with the General Service Administration, including an ethics policy, are typically filed at least a month before presidential elections, but Trump has yet to do so. Despite this, the White House and administration are ready to provide assistance once the agreements are signed. Trump’s transition team has not provided an explanation for the delay, but it is reported that Trump has concerns about the mandatory ethics pledge in the agreements. Some lawmakers, including Democratic U.S. Jamie Raskin and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have criticized Trump for not formalizing the transition of power and for potentially breaking the law. Meanwhile, Trump has been aggressively assembling his White House staff and Cabinet, with nominees not undergoing FBI background checks. Trump’s nominee for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration amid an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into sexual assault allegations. Ultimately, Trump’s failure to sign the transition agreements is causing uncertainty and delays as he prepares to assume office on January 20.
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White House confirms Trump has not yet signed transition agreements
