President-elect Donald Trump’s ethics plan for his transition team has drawn scrutiny due to the absence of provisions for addressing potential conflicts of interest, particularly concerning Trump himself.
Valerie Smith Boyd, director of the Center for Presidential Transition at the Partnership for Public Service, highlighted that the ethics plan submitted by Trump’s team lacks a specific provision for Trump to address potential conflicts of interest. This absence is notable, especially considering previous criticisms of Trump’s business ties during his first term, where he faced allegations of conflicts involving his companies and brands.
Trump’s family business connections, especially internationally, remained a point of contention during his presidency and campaign. In 2016, Trump attempted to mitigate these concerns by placing his business holdings in a trust managed by his sons, albeit taking no similar actions now. Instead, Trump’s recent business ventures, including ties to Trump Media & Technology Group and a cryptocurrency initiative, potentially add to these conflicts.
Despite these gaps, the ethics plan adheres to most of the Presidential Transition Act’s regulations, according to Boyd. This act, revised by Trump ally Sen. Ron Johnson and ratified by Trump, outlines necessary ethics protocols and prohibits conflicts of interest, requiring team members to avoid serving as foreign agents or lobbyists during the transition period.
Concerns were also raised over delays. The Trump team missed earlier deadlines to establish agreements with the current administration, prompting warnings from Democrats and watchdogs about potential risks to national security. Although they eventually submitted their ethics plan and signed a White House agreement, they bypassed a crucial General Services Administration (GSA) agreement.
Moreover, the transition process faced skepticism due to the team’s decision to forgo traditional FBI background checks for some Cabinet candidates, choosing private firms for vetting instead. Critics suggest this approach avoids potential political embarrassment from typical findings in such investigations. Boyd remains optimistic and suggests agreements should ideally ensure smooth transitions.
Boyd emphasized the importance of the Trump team signing the White House agreement for communication with federal agencies, reducing confusion about national security risks. However, the lack of a GSA agreement suggests Trump’s team may lack access to secure federal resources, prompting the White House to issue guidelines for protecting sensitive information in interactions with Trump’s transition officials.
The absence of key ethical provisions for Donald Trump in his transition team’s ethics plan raises significant concerns. These gaps, coupled with his recent business dealings, have put a spotlight on the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Ensuring comprehensive ethical considerations are addressed remains crucial for the integrity of the transition process.
Source: CNN
