The Biden administration has offered federal resources to Donald Trump and Kamala Harris for presidential transition planning, as experts suggest both candidates are behind in preparing for their potential administrations. Transition planning typically begins in the late spring, with nominees usually starting initial planning before receiving federal support. While Vice President Harris and former President Trump have both started the process this month, they are still playing catch up compared to prior transitions. The General Services Administration is mandated to make space available for Trump and Harris three business days after the second nominating convention, providing office space close to the White House and additional federal resources after Election Day.
Harris, if she wins, may retain some political appointees from the Biden administration to avoid messy confirmation fights if Republicans take control of the Senate. However, significant changes are expected as she will want to put her own stamp on the government. On the other hand, Trump is likely aiming to avoid the mistakes of his 2016 transition, where months of planning were set aside, leaving his team unprepared after Election Day. Trump has recently formalized his transition team, led by former Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnick. Harris has appointed Yohannes Abraham of the Biden-Harris 2020 transition to lead her planning for the White House.
Trump’s team has not committed to accepting federal support and has brought on individuals like Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. onto his transition team. The General Services Administration is required by law to provide federal office space and other resources to transition teams starting Tuesday, once memoranda of understanding with representatives for each nominee are signed. Both Trump and Harris’ teams will require infrastructure to conduct meetings with federal agencies, manage personnel and policy planning, should they win the election. The Biden administration has been preparing for the transition for months, with a federal transition coordinating council chaired by chief of staff Jeff Zients, preparing for the handoff on January 20, 2025.
Teams of federal agents and government workers are ready to vet hundreds of potential transition staff and administration appointees, including accessing executive branch employees, facilities, and documents. Transition teams are required to agree to an ethics plan, disclose donors, and limit contributions to $5,000 to receive government funds. The Biden administration has been making detailed briefing memos on agency activities to share with the eventual winner’s team. While both Trump and Harris still have a lot of work ahead of them to catch up in transition planning, they are now receiving federal resources and support to make that process smoother.
