Special Poll
Federal agencies are finding themselves in limbo as the Trump transition team remains barred from formal interactions due to ongoing legal and procedural disputes. This lack of communication is causing friction as President-elect Donald Trump’s team prepares to assume power in January.
One prominent example is the Health and Human Services Department, which has repeatedly turned away attempts by advisers to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the agency. According to an administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Kennedy’s team reached out multiple times to initiate discussions and begin coordination but was rebuffed each time.
This impasse stems from Trump’s delay in signing a set of ethics and transparency agreements required for a formal transition. While such agreements are typically signed shortly after an election, the Trump team’s hesitation has created significant obstacles. Without these agreements in place, federal agencies cannot formally interact with Trump’s policy advisers or transition representatives, known as “landing teams.”
The consequences of this delay extend beyond communication barriers. The lack of signed agreements has prevented Trump’s team from accessing essential resources, such as cybersecurity support, secure email servers, and FBI background checks for key nominees. These tools are critical for ensuring a seamless and secure transfer of power.
Trump’s reluctance to move forward with these agreements is an unprecedented move in modern presidential transitions, raising concerns about how prepared his administration will be to take over key government functions. As the January handover approaches, the growing delays highlight the challenges and uncertainties facing the incoming administration during this critical period.