by Sharelle Burt
November 21, 2024
Can he be forced to sign it?
Campaign Legal reports that President-elect Donald Trump is putting the presidential transition process on hold by refusing to sign the ethics pledge, which is legally required for every sitting president.
Under the Presidential Transition Act, Trump and his transition team, who were elected to the White House, must sign a document guaranteeing they will dodge any conflicts of interest once sworn into office. Only once the document is signed and sent to the General Services Administration (GSA) can the incoming administration access federal agencies. The transition, which President Joe Biden promised would be “orderly and peaceful,” sets a tone for the Trump-Vance administration’s alleged approach to transparency, accountability and gaining trust from Americans, something deemed as vital to ensure their duties are carried out with the American people in mind.
The reasons behind Trump’s document stalling haven’t been announced. However, some speculate it’s due to his most recent financial disclosure reports and one reason specifically. Many of his holdings can be considered red flags of conflict of interest, such as his new cryptocurrency business, a majority stake in his Truth Social social media platform, real estate properties, books, and licensing deals.
It’s not just the GSA that the President-elect is dodging. According to Variety, Trump also declined to use the State Department’s secure telephone lines and interpreters and abstained from the FBI’s security clearance system. Because of this, House Democrats issued new legislation on Nov. 19 requiring Executive Office employees to receive FBI security clearances. If not, Congress would be alerted. Democratic lawmakers and strong
Trump opponents like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) labeled Trump and his transition team’s refusal to sign the ethics agreement as “breaking the law.” “Donald Trump and his transition team are already breaking the law. I would know because I wrote the law,” she wrote on X on Nov. 11, just days after Election Day.
“Incoming presidents are required to prevent conflicts of interest and sign an ethics agreement. This is what illegal corruption looks like.”
Skepticism of the bill, introduced by Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Ted Lieu (D-CA), even though the passing has already begun as the GOP-controlled Congress seemingly leans in Trump’s favor. Once Trump is inaugurated back into office, he can give security clearances to whomever he wants, regardless of what the FBI says or certain charges against a person. Two of his controversial cabinet picks – Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense – have sexual misconduct allegations against them.
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