Trump's team signs document on transfer of power with Biden administration - Axios

The agreement grants the new administration access to information from federal agencies necessary for preparing to take over government operations.

According to Axios, the timeline for the presidential transition is designed to facilitate a smooth transfer of power. However, Trump’s team missed the deadlines of September 1 and October 1 to sign planned agreements with the General Services Administration (GSA) and the White House.

Now, the transition for Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will be privately funded, with sponsors’ names disclosed publicly under terms outlined on Tuesday.

The agreement also stipulates that Trump’s team will not use government buildings or technology provided by the GSA, raising potential security concerns given recent hacking attempts targeting at least one presidential campaign.

The conditions set by Trump’s transition team largely contradict established protocols and longstanding procedures traditionally followed during the transfer of power.

However, there is precedent for such deviations. Notably, Trump declined intelligence briefings after becoming the Republican presidential nominee, telling the Daily Mail he wanted to avoid accusations of leaking information.

“This engagement allows our intended Cabinet nominees to begin critical preparations, including the deployment of landing teams to every department and agency, and complete the orderly transition of power," Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, said in a statement.

Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, which oversees the Center for Presidential Transition, called the signing of the agreement a positive step toward an effective transfer of power.

"This agreement unlocks direct access to information from federal agencies, which is vital for the incoming administration to be ready to govern on Day One and critical to the transition's success," he added.

Before the US presidential election, with polls showing a nearly even 50-50 chance for both candidates, many in America feared the potential for widespread protests.

However, the opposite happened. After November 5, both Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and the current US President Joe Biden acknowledged Donald Trump's victory and promised a peaceful transfer of power. Harris, in particular, emphasized that Trump would be supported during the transition period.