A pile of employment offer letters are expected to come out on Monday for political appointments in the new administration. newly elected president donald trumpAccording to people familiar with the matter, there are only two weeks left before the inauguration.
The Trump transition had set a goal of bringing in more than 2,000 political appointees by January 20. first day administration, but it is falling short of that goal, two sources told CBS News. There are approximately 4,000 political appointees currently working in the federal government.
Aides estimate that there were about 1,200 political appointments when Trump took office in January 2017. President Biden's transition chair Ted Kauffman said his administration had 1,136 political appointees on Inauguration Day in 2021.
Candidates for senior management positions want to give their private-sector companies two weeks' notice before leaving for government service, sources told CBS News. Some people are reluctant to resign from their current roles without completing the transition period.
Hiring and vetting staff is a major accomplishment for any incoming administration. Trump has warned against bringing in anyone who could destroy his agenda and was highly involved in his selection. cabinet-designer and several top management positions. But he has left decisions about a large number of staff for mid- and lower-level positions to those on his team who will lead departments and agencies.
“Let me be clear: anyone serving under President Trump at the NSC will be fully aligned with his America First agenda,” incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz posted Monday. x,
Conservative insiders said a pressing point of debate in the MAGA movement in recent days has been about filling Trump's jobs with established Republicans.
Waltz's response addressed Trump veteran Joshua Steinman's post on Sunday on X, which expressed concerns about national security hiring.
Steinman wrote, “Those who have been approved are great. But a significant number of yet-to-be-sanctioned employees have long histories of vocally being 'Never Trump' and working for prominent figures who have Have repeatedly weakened the President.” Previously the National Security Council's senior director for cyber during the Trump administration.
Another factor affecting the pace of appointment is the number of candidates being considered for the same Senate-confirmed position or other senior-level jobs. The sources said Trump applicants are going through a multi-step process, including an initial review of their background, followed by interviews with subject-matter experts and an interview with the person who will lead their department.
management committee confirmation hearing Selection for Trump's Cabinet is scheduled to begin next week.
Trump transition spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt told CBS News, “President Trump selected a fantastic Cabinet at a record and historic time and is working tirelessly to fill the Trump-Vance transition administration with hard workers who will advance the America First agenda.” “Completely believe.”