The United States’ President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has announced that it has signed a long-awaited memorandum of understanding with the White House, initiating the formal process of transferring power from President Joe Biden’s administration.
The agreement will enable critical preparations for the incoming administration, including deploying transition teams across federal departments and agencies.
The Trump transition team stated it would rely on disclosed private US-based donors instead of federal funds, rejecting foreign contributions and the use of government facilities. An existing but unpublished ethics plan will guide their efforts, aiming to avoid unnecessary government oversight.
“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,” said Susie Wiles, the incoming chief of staff.
The US has a tradition of smooth power transitions, though the process is costly and complex, often involving thousands of political appointees. Biden’s 2020/21 transition raised $22 million, far exceeding its goal, and employed hundreds. Trump’s 2016 transition raised $6.5 million, supplemented by $2.4 million in federal funds, some of which reportedly covered legal fees post-inauguration.
Transition fundraising is separate from inauguration costs. Trump’s 2016 inaugural committee raised over $100 million, later facing allegations of fund misuse, eventually settling a lawsuit for $750,000.
As Trump prepares to take office in January, the private funding route marks a departure from traditional reliance on federal funds, highlighting a shift in transition practices.
