Donald Trump awash in scandal already
A couple of weeks before Election Day, I wrote about how only Vice President Kamala Harris signed key agreements needed to ensure a smooth transition of power should she win. As of this writing, Trump still has not signed these documents—despite it being a month later and his having won the election. As we inch closer to Inauguration Day, the eager wrecking ball is continuing to give no sign of when, or even if, he will sign anything.
It should come as no surprise that Trump is seizing a new opportunity to flout rules and norms, avoiding cooperating with a peaceful and efficient transition of power that helps all Americans. However, this is more than just another childish episode of Trump giving the proverbial middle finger to what’s expected of him. As is also typical of Trump, there is a selfish, underhanded component to his latest shenanigans.
The transition process asks candidates to sign agreements, most notably the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the General Services Administration (GSA). This MOU opens the door to key federal resources, including secure office space, technology support, and $6 million in taxpayer-funding transition activities. These agreements don’t favor Democrats or Republicans but ensure that any incoming administration can work with federal agencies, gain access to classified briefings, and process security clearances well before the inauguration.
To help ensure a smooth transition, the Presidential Transition Act requires candidates to finalize their MOU with the GSA by September 1. Another agreement with the White House, considered even more critical because it grants conditions of access to employees, facilities, and documents of federal agencies, had a deadline of October 1, according to a report from Axios.
The fact that December is almost here and Trump has blown past these deadlines means his incoming administration is creating a situation that not only opens the door to logistical problems but creates vulnerabilities that pose a national security risk. Not only did the Harris campaign sign all these documents on time, but the Trump transition team cooperated in 2016, marking a change of course this time around and additional opportunities for chaos.
Trump’s refusal to sign, despite telling President Joe Biden that the transition will be “as smooth as it could get,” also has very loud corruption overtones. The MOU requires transition teams to limit donations to $5,000 from any single contributor and disclose all donors’ names. Without this accountability, we are left to imagine who is funding Trump’s transition and what those sycophants might expect in return.
Trump has not even taken office yet, and already his actions have ensured that he’s prioritizing his own interests over the good of the nation—beginning the very moment he got elected. His continued refusal to participate in the orderly transition process, avoiding accountability, and creating unnecessary vulnerabilities are the first signs that Trump, as expected, will rule with unprecedented levels of secrecy and self-interest. It’s all about Trump first—and America last.
Ron Leshnower is a lawyer and the author of several books, including President Trump’s Month