### Trump Avoids Official Transition Process, Raising Concerns Over Ethics and Fund-Raising

Former President Donald J. Trump has chosen not to participate in the official government transition planning, a decision that could disrupt the transfer of power if he wins the upcoming election. Trump's campaign has yet to sign required documents with the current administration, missing key deadlines and neglecting to agree to an ethics plan necessary to start the transition process.

Trump's representatives did attend a meeting at the White House last month but have otherwise had minimal communication with the Biden administration regarding the handover. The team has also declined national security briefings, which are critical for ensuring a smooth transition. Trump's approach is not entirely surprising, given his deep mistrust of the very government he aims to lead once more.

By avoiding the formal transition framework, Trump's campaign can sidestep fund-raising regulations and ethics rules designed to prevent conflicts of interest. According to Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, co-chairs of the Trump transition team, negotiations with the Biden administration are ongoing. They assert that any claims suggesting otherwise are false and misleading.

Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has already completed all necessary formalities for the transition. The Presidential Transition Act outlines that candidates should start their transition efforts up to six months before Election Day to ensure agencies run smoothly during turnover. Trump's delay has resulted in the forfeiture of government services and potentially millions of dollars in funding. Furthermore, the lack of signed agreements means that aides cannot obtain necessary security clearances to review federal documents.

In earlier campaigns, Trump has defied transition norms. In 2016, his campaign initially followed a standard process but then abruptly cut ties with the Obama administration post-Election Day. Following the 2020 election, the Trump administration delayed recognizing Biden's victory, obstructing the incoming team's access to crucial resources for nearly three weeks.

Despite failing to meet the Sept. 1 deadline for signing the memorandum of understanding with the General Services Administration (GSA), the Trump team remains eligible to raise money without adhering to federal limits or disclosure requirements imposed on transition fund-raising. The GSA agreement, essential for providing office space, technology support, and up to $7.2 million in funding, mandates full disclosure of private donors and caps contributions at $5,000.

The Trump transition team's decision to also miss a second deadline related to access to government information raises significant concerns. The failure to sign this agreement limits access to security information, which is crucial for national security preparations. Moreover, the Trump ethics code has less stringent requirements than the White House version, notably offering shorter cooling-off periods for transition aides.

There is still a possibility that Trump's team could agree to the White House's information-sharing and ethics requirements while bypassing the GSA agreement, facilitating some aspects of the power transfer without imposing fund-raising restrictions. The White House has confirmed ongoing efforts to come to an agreement with Trump's transition team, underscoring the importance of a smooth and secure transition.