Man Arrested After Threatening to ‘Go Out in a Blaze of Glory’ Throughout Biden’s Inauguration: Report
President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team is concerned that President Donald Trump’s administration has been hiding the worst damage it will suffer in government agencies after taking office on Inauguration Day.
Biden’s team anticipated hollowed out and poorly managed agencies, but transition officials are increasingly concerned that Trump’s team is showing them only the “tip of the iceberg” lurking in the executive, Politico reported.
“They still don’t give any information today,” said one person shortly before Biden’s transition. “Data on where vaccines are, their distribution analysis, data they haven’t made public about COVID cases. It is shocking. I don’t remember that from Clinton to Bush, from Bush to Obama, or from Obama to Trump. “
The lack of cooperation from many Trump officials was “ridiculous,” said a senior advisor, who ranged from slow requests for information to non-response to requests.
For example, National Security Council officials were reluctant to share information about who was on the staff, and Defense Department officials either ignored or partially responded to requests for information – and Biden’s team did not allow incumbent Defense Secretary Chris Miller to maintain an office after Jan. 20.
“Given Mr. Miller’s capacity to act in this role, as well as the reduced staffing and occupation of the Pentagon and auxiliary offices during COVID-19, we felt it appropriate not to extend this benefit in this instance,” said a Biden transition official.
The Bureau of Administration and Households declined to provide Biden’s team of career officials, which could delay the new administration’s budget, and the United States Sales Representative’s office made it clear that aid would not be forthcoming.
“The transition is not a priority for USTR,” said Robert Lighthizer’s chief of staff, the person who was briefed on the exchange.
Comments are closed.