### Trump Transition Faces Delays Amid Ethics Concerns

President-elect Donald Trump's transition to the White House is facing delays due to incomplete agreements with the Biden administration, CNN reports. The primary roadblock is an ethics pledge aimed at eliminating conflicts of interest for incoming officials.

Throughout his presidency, Trump faced numerous critiques from ethics groups due to potential conflicts arising from his businesses and foreign ties. Now, as he prepares to assume office, both he and his transition team are lagging behind on crucial briefings necessary for a seamless transfer of power in 72 days.

A source familiar with the situation indicated that the delay partly stems from negotiating the mandatory ethics agreement, a requirement introduced by Senator Ron Johnson, an ally of Trump, and signed into law by Trump himself in March 2020. This law demands a commitment to ethical conduct from all transition team members.

Financial disclosures reveal Trump continues to earn millions from his properties, books, and licensing deals. Additionally, he and his family recently launched a new cryptocurrency venture. A significant portion of his net worth is linked to Truth Social's parent company, where he holds 114.75 million shares valued around $3.7 billion. Trump's tight control over these shares adds to the scrutiny he faces over potential conflicts of interest.

Missed deadlines with the General Services Administration (GSA) and the White House have raised concerns about national security preparedness starting on Day 1 of Trump's term. The GSA agreement, due September 1, is crucial for securing office space and communication channels, while the White House agreement, due October 1, is essential for gaining access to agencies and classified information.

Despite an adviser claiming that Trump's team intends to sign the ethics pledge, the current focus remains on selecting top Cabinet candidates. However, the delay is raising alarms among nonpartisan watchdogs and Democrats who warn that national security could be at risk if the agreements are not finalized soon.

Valerie Smith Boyd of the Center for Presidential Transition emphasized that Trump's team could have started receiving federal briefings last Thursday if the agreements were signed. President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, Max Stier, echoed these concerns, warning of severe consequences if Trump's team does not engage with Biden's administration promptly.

Stier labeled transition periods as "points of maximum vulnerability" for U.S. security, highlighting that a new administration must be thoroughly prepared to handle the complex operations of the federal government from the outset.

Jeff Zients, White House Chief of Staff, reached out Wednesday to the heads of Trump's transition effort to stress the importance of an orderly transition and the need for the necessary agreements. Also, Representative Jamie Raskin sent a letter to Trump cautioning that missing these deadlines endangers the transfer of power and poses a threat to national security.

Historical context underscores the gravity of such delays. In 2000, the lack of a transition process amidst the Supreme Court's Florida recount was cited by the 9/11 Commission Report as a contributing factor to the September 11 attacks. This precedent adds urgency to completing the essential agreements for a smooth transition of power.