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After months of delay, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has signed paperwork to begin the official transition process with the Biden administration. But Trump's team has refused to sign two other agreements: One to provide logistical support, including federal funding, and another to allow the FBI to process security clearances for transition officials.
Under federal law, major party nominees are expected to sign both agreements before the election to facilitate a smooth transition of power. Kamala Harris’ team did so by the deadlines. But Trump had delayed doing so until this week, sparking concerns from White House officials and lawmakers.
Trump's transition team said in a statement Tuesday that it has signed a transition agreement with the Biden White House, allowing both parties to begin arrangements for the transfer of federal agencies to the incoming administration. But it has declined to sign an agreement with the General Services Administration, which would provide it with federal funding, office space and cybersecurity support. It also includes an ethics pledge. Trump's team said it would instead adhere to its own ethics plan and raise money for the transition itself.
As The Washington Post reported, “By turning down about $7 million in federal funding for the transition, Trump will be able to raise unlimited private donations for his transition.” Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, said the team would not accept contributions from foreign donors and would disclose its donors publicly.
Trump's team has also refused to sign an agreement with the Justice Department that would allow the FBI to conduct security clearances for transition officials, thus preventing Biden officials from sharing classified information with many members of Trump's team.
The team's circumvention of the typical transition process is in line with Trump's disregard for political norms, and it has raised alarm among some Democrats. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said it "increases concerns about corruption."
“This announcement fails to answer key questions about national security threats and FBI vetting of nominees, and increases concerns about corruption,” Warren said. “There appear to be serious gaps between the Trump transition’s ethics agreement and the letter of the law.”