Key Takeaways:
– President-elect Trump’s transition has been slower than those of previous administrations.
– The sluggish pace may affect the swift implementation of his plans.
– The delay gives new nominees less time to understand complex policy matters.
– The transition is being run entirely with private funds, a move that may lead to problems later on.
Waiting Game Tests Patience
When a new President takes office, transitions are typically brisk. President-elect Donald Trump, however, seems to be trailing with his transition, causing speculation that his first 100 days may lack significant achievements.
Transitions Matter
Speedy transitions are more than a matter of tradition. They allow incoming Cabinet members to get familiar with complex policy matters during the agency review process. For Trump, his promised light-speed action on his agenda could be hampered by this delay.
The Impact of Delays
The slow pace of Trump’s transition process has put him almost a month behind previous administrations. This situation means not only a delay in confirming his Cabinet members but also a shortfall in their preparation, a concern that has been echoed by Kathleen Sebelius, former Health and Human Services Secretary under President Barack Obama.
Why Experience Matters
Sebelius warned of potential difficulties for Trump’s nominees due to their lack of experience with large bureaucracies. Agencies such as the Health and Human Services, with a workforce of approximately 80,000 people and 13 different sub-agencies, requires deep understanding and experience. With less time for preparation, incoming appointees might find it challenging to adjust rapidly.
Breaking from Tradition
The General Services Administration (GSA) usually funds presidential transitions. This time, though, Trump’s team has chosen to transition with private funds by opting not to submit GSA paperwork. This deviation from the norm could be a thorny issue for the incoming administration, warns Valerie Smith Boyd, director of the Center for Presidential Transition.
A Handover Dilemma
Boyd indicates that in usual circumstances, agencies would be ready to share unclassified information. But in the absence of a GSA-secure network, agencies will need to create their own special protocols. This could pose a big challenge, especially when handling sensitive information, like law enforcement data.
What’s Ahead
As Biden’s transition team experiences delays from Trump’s insistence on a privately funded transition, there’s speculation about the potential impact on the effectiveness of his administration once he takes the reins on January 20th. Will this result in a slower start than planned? Or will President-elect Trump and his team be able to make up for lost time once they are at the helm? Only time will tell!
As a final thought, it is notable that transitions are not just about a transfer of power but also a transfer of knowledge. Transparency, cooperation, and preparedness during this crucial period can determine the efficiency and effectiveness of an incoming administration. As we track Trump’s transition journey, it’s worth keeping all this in mind.