**Ethical Concerns Loom as Trump's Transition Team Misses Key Deadlines**

President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming return to the White House may face substantial hurdles due to a lack of commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and other ethical issues while in office. According to The New York Times, Trump's transition team failed to meet the October 1 deadline for submitting an ethics plan, a requirement under the Presidential Transition Act.

Further complicating matters is the team's refusal to participate in the established transition process, usually initiated months before elections. The New York Times reported that Trump's transition team has also missed numerous other deadlines necessary for signing agreements to partake in national security meetings and to access federal agencies.

"While transition planning is private activity, it is deeply connected to the activity of our government and the stewardship of public resources," stated Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. This nonpartisan organization assists presidential candidates through the Center for Presidential Transition.

Notably, Trump's conduct during his last term led to Congress amending the Presidential Transition Act in 2019. The amendment requires candidates to provide an ethics plan detailing how they will address their conflicts of interest during their presidential term. Despite the transition leadership drafting an ethics code and statement for its staff, The New York Times reported that Trump's specific plan was not included.