Blog

The Basics of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act for New Administrations 
One of the most important roles of a presidential transition team is to identify and fill agency leadership positions, with over 1,300 requiring Senate confirmation. Getting a leadership team in place as quickly as possible is essential for a new administration to govern effectively from day one.  While it is preferable that positions be filled…
December 03, 2024
How (Not) To Get a Job in an Administration: Five Lessons from Transition Experts 
With the election behind us, the focus now shifts to assembling the next administration. For those aspiring to serve in a presidentially appointed position, this is the time to prepare and stand out in a crowded field.   The following blog shares valuable advice gleaned from seasoned transition professionals throughout our Transition Lab podcast series. These…
November 27, 2024
The Purpose and Process of Agency Review    
A core part of an effective transition and successful handoff of presidential power is agency review, which is the process of informing a new administration about the major issues facing the federal government’s various departments. It is key to understanding the immediate concerns and decisions that will confront an incoming team.   Each transition team will…
Presidential Transition
November 27, 2024
Senate Confirmations Slow to a Crawl 
The process takes almost three times as long as it did during the Reagan administration  As President Donald Trump plans to enter the White House for the second time, a major responsibility will be to fill the more than 1,300 political appointee positions that require Senate confirmation. As with all recent presidents, Trump will face…
November 21, 2024
The Presidential Transition: What Happens Next? 
The peaceful transition of power between presidents is a hallmark of American democracy, ensuring the government continues to function smoothly regardless of political change. But what exactly happens after Election Day?  Here’s an overview of the key steps in the post-election presidential transition process and why it’s critical for the stability of our democracy.  1.…
Presidential Transition
November 07, 2024
The public’s confidence in the peaceful transfer of power has increased, although one-third still have doubts 
As Election Day approaches, much attention has been paid to the difficult events that occurred during the post-election period four years ago. However, confidence that the upcoming presidential election will lead to a peaceful transfer of power has increased dramatically over the past six months.   Regardless of the outcome of the election, the public overwhelmingly…
Presidential Transition
October 23, 2024