### Trump's Transition Team Faces Hurdles Amid Delay in Signing Ethics Agreements

A delay in transition protocols is causing significant roadblocks for President-elect Donald Trump's team to smoothly take over the federal government. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s advisers, for instance, have faced repeated pushbacks from the Department of Health and Human Services, where Donald Trump has slated him to assume leadership.

A critical aspect of the transition chaos revolves around the Trump team's lag in signing a series of essential ethics and transparency agreements. These agreements, designed to facilitate a smooth handover, were promised shortly after the election but have yet to be finalized. Consequently, the transition team remains unable to engage formally with federal agencies or leverage necessary governmental resources.

Without these agreements, Trump's team lacks access to cybersecurity support, secure email servers, and the ability to request FBI background checks for incoming officials. The Trump transition and the White House have acknowledged to POLITICO that these negotiations are still ongoing. Until resolved, Trump's Cabinet nominees are left with no greater understanding of the workings of their designated departments than the public.

Experts and watchdog groups express alarm at the delay, emphasizing that the typical coordination with federal agencies usually begins by mid-November. The new administration now risks being ill-prepared for immediate challenges, and there are concerns about national security due to the lack of access to classified information.

The stalemate has significant implications; Trump's team does not have insight into vital security efforts involving the Middle East, Ukraine, or even domestic issues like the avian flu. Alarm bells are going off among members of Congress from both parties, who worry about the repercussions of bypassing FBI vetting for Cabinet nominees. Notably, this week, Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth and Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration for Attorney General, have been in the spotlight due to the absence of thorough background checks.

Despite private advice for Trump's team to sidestep the bureaucratic process by using private funding and conducting their vetting, ethics experts strongly advise against initiating any agency reviews without signing the necessary memorandums of understanding.

The impacted agencies, such as the Pentagon and the State Department, have confirmed the lack of formal engagement from the Trump transition teams. The Justice Department offered its cooperation days after the election but cannot proceed without signed agreements.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other lawmakers have voiced the need for thorough vetting of nominations if FBI checks remain unsanctioned. This position highlights the potential hurdles Trump's nominees may face during confirmation processes.

Trump's spokesperson, Brian Hughes, mentioned ongoing constructive engagements with the Biden-Harris administration regarding the agreements but did not shed light on the specifics causing the delay. There remains a glimmer of hope within the Biden administration for the eventual signing of these agreements to avoid governance disruptions come January 20.

Significantly, Trump’s avoidance of federal assistance stands unparalleled in the modern presidential transition system. The decision departs from practices in previous transitions, including Trump’s own in 2016. The delay allows his team to skirt limitations on donations and donor disclosures but at the cost of federal support critical for a secure and informed transition.

The cybersecurity risks due to this delay are of particular concern given the uptick in hacking incidents, including breaches of Trump's own team. Experts stress the importance of federal cybersecurity support as the transition team begins receiving intelligence briefings.

The lack of transparency also raises questions about the ethical and financial entanglements of those helping Trump select his Cabinet nominees. Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer, voiced strong criticism, underscoring the need for Trump’s team to convince the American public of their commitment to national, rather than personal, interests.

In summary, the unprecedented delay in signing essential transition agreements is creating substantial challenges for Trump's transition team, posing risks to national security and the effective governance on Day One.