Trump’s transition team wanted to bring on 2,000 staff. They’re falling short as insiders spar over loyalty tests
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Trump will take office in less than two weeks, but his team is still well short of its target of appointing 2,000 new staff. President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is falling short of its goal to have 2,000 political appointees on board by Inauguration Day, a new report reveals.
The goal has been difficult to meet because many of those being offered jobs work in the private sector and want to give two weeks notice before leaving, according to CBS. Others are hesitant to commit to potential roles without an official offer letter in hand, the outlet reports.
"President Trump picked a brilliant Cabinet in record and historic time and the Trump-Vance Transition is working non-stop to fill the Administration with hard workers who believe fully in the America First Agenda,” spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told CBS.
Trump had about 1,200 appointees hired in January 2017 in time for his first inauguration, according to CBS. President Joe Biden similarly had 1,136 political appointees in place for his January 2021 inauguration. Trump’s allies have also warned that appointees must be “fully aligned” with the president-elect, indicating shows of loyalty may play a role in the hiring process.
“Any rumors or suggestions to the contrary are fake news and a distraction from the mission,” he continued.” “We will clear the decks to Make America Great Again!”. Candidates undergo an initial background review, interviews with subject-matter experts and an interview with their potential department leader, CBS News reports.
