REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
The New York Times reports that former President Donald Trump’s campaign is avoiding the formal transition process, allowing it to maintain secrecy over its funding sources and avoid financial disclosure requirements. Trump’s team has missed two critical deadlines required by federal law to sign agreements with the administration, as well as an ethics plan necessary to initiate the transition process, according to the report.
This refusal to comply with the transition protocols has raised eyebrows among campaign finance experts. The Times notes that by not signing these agreements, Trump’s campaign can avoid revealing who is funding the effort and evade limits on how much private donors can contribute. In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has fully complied with the legal transition procedures, ensuring transparency.
By skipping the required steps, Trump’s team has not only bypassed public accountability but also “cut itself off from some government services” that are essential for a smooth transition into power. This includes access to security clearances needed for reviewing critical federal records, according to the report.
Martha Joynt Kumar, an emeritus professor of political science at Towson University, expressed concern over the implications of the Trump campaign’s non-compliance, particularly regarding national security. “National security is the most worrisome,” she told the NBC News. “They would be missing a great deal,” she added, emphasizing the importance of having a team fully prepared to deal with security threats in case they assume power.
While the Trump campaign continues to operate outside the formal transition process, its actions have raised serious questions about transparency and preparedness. The lack of participation not only shields the campaign from financial disclosure but also hampers its ability to access vital information, potentially leaving it vulnerable to national security threats should Trump return to office.
As Trump’s team continues to delay, the contrast between the two campaigns is striking, with Harris’s team complying with federal requirements and moving forward with the formal transition process. This discrepancy may become a focal point as both campaigns prepare for the upcoming election, highlighting concerns over ethics, security, and transparency in the transition of power.
