The Trump transition team announced on Nov. 26 that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Biden administration to begin working together.
The MOU allows the incoming administration to obtain security clearances and information, especially that which is classified. The MOU is key in implementing the transition of power.
“After completing the selection process of his incoming Cabinet, President-elect [Donald] Trump is entering the next phase of his administration’s transition by executing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Joe Biden’s White House,” incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said in a statement.
“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.”
Despite signing the MOU, the Trump transition team will not use taxpayer dollars, government buildings, and General Services Administration technology in preparing to replace the Biden administration.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Nov. 22 that Biden has been providing support for Trump’s transition team while waiting for it to sign the MOU.
“[The] Trump–Vance transition team has not yet entered into the agreements with the White House and the General Services Administration,” Jean-Pierre said.
“President Biden met with the president-elect to show that transition of power and obviously offering any assistance needed to make sure that happens in a way that is peaceful, obviously, and efficient.”
The two met on Nov. 13, eight days after the election.
The Trump transition team is co-chaired by Howard Lutnick, the president-elect’s nominee to be commerce secretary, and former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.).
These include Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for secretary of state, Fox News personality and Army veteran Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for attorney general, investor Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for homeland security secretary, House GOP Conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.
