The Presidential Transition: Everything That Happens Between Election Day and the Inauguration The Presidential Transition Everything That Happens BetweenElection Day and the Inauguration Incoming administrations have roughly 75 days between Election Day and the inauguration to prepare to govern. During this short window, the transition team reviews agencies’ staffing needs, priorities and operations, builds out the president-elect’s policy and management agenda, and identifies nominees for top Senate-confirmed positions as well as political appointees who will stay in their roles. President-elect Donald Trump and his team should prioritize these actions so that he is prepared to govern on Day One. Below are resources that explain what his team and federal agencies are doing to prepare for a new term, as well as other materials that outline everything you need to know about the next 75 days between Election Day and the inauguration. A timeline of the key milestones for this phase of a presidential transition can be found here. For additional information, visit our Center for Presidential Transition®. See the resources Key Resources Thumbnail for Post-election transition milestones Post-election transition milestones A rundown of what transition teams do and the milestones they meet between the election and the inauguration. Thumbnail for Frequently Asked Questions About Presidential Transitions Frequently Asked Questions About Presidential Transitions Everything you need to know about presidential transitions and why they matter. Thumbnail for Presidential Transition Act Summary Presidential Transition Act Summary An overview of the law that established a framework for the federal government to prepare for a transition from one president to another. Thumbnail for The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act A summary of recent legislation that seeks to clarify and improve the presidential transition process. Thumbnail for Senate-Confirmed Positions Resources Senate-Confirmed Positions Resources An overview of how to fix the broken Senate confirmation process, with links to additional resources. Thumbnail for The Vacancies Act: Frequently Asked Questions The Vacancies Act: Frequently Asked Questions A summary of the law that dictates who can fill a vacant Senate-confirmed position in an acting role, how long acting officials can serve and more. Thumbnail for Holdovers: Frequently Asked Questions Holdovers: Frequently Asked Questions An overview of the process for—and the benefits of—an incoming administration keeping political appointees from a previous administration to fill critical roles. Thumbnail for From Political Appointee to Civil Servant: What Is ‘Burrowing In’? From Political Appointee to Civil Servant: What Is ‘Burrowing In’? A close look at the process for converting political appointees to career civil servants. Thumbnail for Presidential Transition Guide Presidential Transition Guide A guide featuring historical materials from past transfers of power and recommendations for a successful transition to a new or second-term administration. Thumbnail for Agency Transition Guide Agency Transition Guide A primer offering lessons learned from past transitions at federal agencies that includes best practices for senior career executives. Thumbnail for Federal Position Descriptions Federal Position Descriptions The federal position descriptions provide important information such as the primary responsibilities of Senate-confirmed positions across government agencies. Thumbnail for Ready to Serve®: Resources for Prospective Appointees Ready to Serve®: Resources for Prospective Appointees Ready to Serve is a centralized resource that guides aspiring appointees through every step of the complex political appointment process. Op-eds, Statements and Interviews Statement on reports of background checks agreement between transition, Justice Department December 03, 2024 Statement on Trump transition signing White House MOU November 26, 2024 Fix the Senate confirmation process, don’t steamroll it November 18, 2024 Statement on Election of Donald Trump as 47th President November 06, 2024 Partnership for Public Service statement on the start of GSA’s presidential transition planning support August 27, 2024 Examining the U.S. presidential transition process May 29, 2024 The Broken Senate Confirmation Process Leaves Financial Oversight Jobs Empty November 14, 2023 The Senate confirmation process is broken. Here’s how we can fix it August 17, 2023 Partnership statement on bipartisan reform to the Presidential Transition Act December 23, 2022 See more news stories Blogs Thumbnail for The Purpose and Process of Agency Review The Purpose and Process of Agency Review Thumbnail for How federal transition service providers support effective presidential transitions How federal transition service providers support effective presidential transitions Thumbnail for What is the presidential transition process? What is the presidential transition process? Thumbnail for What the 9/11 Commission found: Slow confirmations imperil U.S. national security What the 9/11 Commission found: Slow confirmations imperil U.S. national security Thumbnail for Doubt regarding a peaceful transfer of power following the presidential election has grown dramatically during the past year Doubt regarding a peaceful transfer of power following the presidential election has grown dramatically during the past year Thumbnail for Ripe for reform: Recommendations for a more effective Senate confirmation process Ripe for reform: Recommendations for a more effective Senate confirmation process Podcast Episodes “Transition Lab” is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning about what needs to happen before a president takes office or starts a second term. Explore the episodes below or listen here. Ever Heard of an Agency Review Team? With Melody Barnes Thumbnail for How Do You Lead a Presidential Transition? With former Governor Mike Leavitt How Do You Lead a Presidential Transition? With former Governor Mike Leavitt Steve Hadley and Kurt Campbell on National Security Transitions Key Transition Lessons from 2 Former White House Chiefs of Staff Intelligence Briefings During Presidential Transitions Help Wanted: The Critical Job of Selecting 4,000 Presidential Appointees Ken Burns on Presidential Leadership During American Crises The History of Presidential Transitions The Fifth Risk and Coronavirus, a Conversation with Michael Lewis
