Trump transition signs White House agreement after delay
NBC11 hrs
Trump Team Signs White House Transition Deal
Above: President Joe Biden meets with Pres.-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 13, 2024. Image copyright: Jabin Botsford/Contributor/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres.-elect Donald Trump's transition team signed a memorandum of understanding with the Biden White House after a three-week delay, enabling access to agency briefings and critical preparations.
The agreement, which came far past the initial Oct. 1 deadline, allows Trump's team to access non-public government information, receive briefings, and deploy personnel inside federal agencies.
The Spin
Republican narrative
The DOJ has attempted to control Trump and his movement for far too long, but the days of wasting taxpayer money on their bloated bureaucracy are over. This transition will be smooth and efficient, using private money so the American people aren't footing the bill. Donald Trump is the next president, so he, not Joe Biden and the Biden administration, will dictate how things are run now.
Democratic narrative
Donald Trump's refusal to follow transition protocols poses a national security threat by delaying critical processes like background checks and security clearances for key personnel. Without these agreements, incoming officials lack timely access to classified intelligence, undermining the nation's preparedness for crises. It's vital to have greater transparency in the transition process.