Where’s the Signature, Mr. President-Elect?
In a political plot twist no one saw coming, President-elect Donald Trump appears hesitant to sign the ethics agreement required to officially kick off his presidential transition. Yes, the document Trump himself made legally binding during his last presidency is now apparently as uninviting as a Monday morning. And yet, this ethics pledge is no ordinary contract; it’s a simple agreement to avoid conflicts of interest and steer clear of the usual “business as usual” problems. But with Trump, nothing is ever “usual.”
Conflicts of Interest? Trump’s Been Here Before
As anyone who’s glanced at the news in the last decade knows, Trump and “conflict of interest” go together like peanut butter and jelly. His entire term saw ethics watchdogs barking at his family’s foreign business ties, his namesake brand plastered over real estate and golf courses, and his media empire continuing to rake in dollars. Now, though, signing a single paper to promise to stay out of murky waters seems like a bridge too far.
Briefing Delays: When Deadlines Are Just Suggestions
The Biden administration, meanwhile, has been sitting on its transition briefings, waiting for a signature. Transition deadlines went whooshing by, and Trump’s team responded with a casual, “not a concern.” Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a concern for those who take national security seriously. With only 72 days until Inauguration Day, you’d think it’d be all hands on deck. But nope—Trump is focused on “vetting Cabinet roles,” while access to crucial information and classified briefings remains in bureaucratic limbo.
Background Checks, Classified Briefings, and…Cryptocurrency?
Yes, you read that right. The Trump family’s entrepreneurial streak has also recently wandered into cryptocurrency, adding yet another dimension to their sprawling business empire. For someone who once called Bitcoin a “scam,” he sure doesn’t mind getting a piece of the digital pie. Meanwhile, he clings tightly to his shares in Truth Social’s parent company, turning even social media into a significant asset. When did transition priorities start sounding like a corporate portfolio?
National Security’s Alarm Bells Ring Louder
Valerie Smith Boyd, the brains behind the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service’s Center for Presidential Transition, has her warning lights flashing red. Missing these deadlines could mean the Trump team won’t be ready to govern on Day 1. Max Stier, another transition expert, chimed in, comparing this transition to a ticking time bomb. “It is possible to ignore all of this,” he noted dryly, “but the consequences will be severe.” Because apparently, taking over the most complex operation on Earth without preparation is totally fine…until it isn’t.
History Lesson: Missed Transitions Don’t End Well
Just in case anyone doubts that transition chaos can lead to real-world consequences, experts point to a grim lesson from 2000. The 9/11 Commission cited delays in the transition between Bush and Gore as a contributing factor to the tragic events of September 11. This isn’t reality TV; it’s reality with consequences. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat, has been trying to hammer home the importance of a smooth handover, but at this point, his warnings seem about as effective as shouting into a hurricane.
In Conclusion: What’s Next, Trump?
The ball’s in Trump’s court. Whether he’ll finally sign the ethics agreement or keep the nation on edge for dramatic effect is anyone’s guess.
