Presidential Transitions

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Rick Dearborn

Visiting Fellow, Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation

Rick A. Dearborn, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff to President Donald Trump, returned to The Heritage Foundation as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow to support Project 2025, an initiative to prepare the next presidential administration.

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Ed Corrigan

President and CEO, Conservative Partnership Institute

Corrigan has over 25 years of leadership experience on Capitol Hill and in the conservative movement. In 2009, GQ magazine named Corrigan to its list of “50 Most Powerful People in DC.” He was tapped by the Trump Transition to lead the personnel selection process for all domestic policy departments, placing hundreds of conservatives in key administrative positions.

The History of the Presidential Transition Act

  • The conversation emphasizes the historical context of presidential transitions, mentioning the Transition Act established in 1963 following the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
  • The 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore prompted further legislation to enhance the transition process, ensuring national security and government continuity.

Finding Individuals

  • The speakers discuss the importance of finding qualified individuals who genuinely want to serve in the administration during the transition process.
  • Ed Corgan shares his experience managing ten departments focused on domestic policy, emphasizing the need for personnel aligned with the president's values and expertise.
  • Transition teams prioritize filtering recommendations from campaign allies and organizations to identify suitable candidates for political appointments.
  • Rick Dearborn describes the organization of transition meetings, where candidates for key positions are presented to the president-elect.
  • They encourage job seekers interested in serving in the administration to engage early in the transition process, highlighting various roles available.
  • The transition involves different components, including agency action, policy formulation, and congressional affairs, all critical to establishing a new administration.
  • Dearborn elaborates on the agency action team, which develops operational blueprints for government agencies under the new administration.
  • Corgan emphasizes the importance of having a strong network and recommendations for political appointments, comparing it to job searching in the private sector.
  • The conversation underlines that each political appointment is like a mini-campaign, requiring advocates to support candidates effectively.

Complexities of Political Appointments During the Transition

  • Networking is Crucial: Politics relies heavily on relationships and connections. Building a network of supporters who can vouch for you is essential, especially when seeking positions within a new administration.

  • Political Appointments: Positions like PAS (Presidential Appointments, Senate confirmed) require navigating the Senate confirmation process, which can be lengthy. Having connections with senators or their staff can facilitate this process.

  • Landing and Beachhead Teams:

    • Landing Teams: These teams enter departments before inauguration to receive briefings and understand existing operations. They help prepare for the transition by cataloging ongoing initiatives and establishing connections with career staff.
    • Beachhead Teams: They come in closer to inauguration and focus on implementing plans while waiting for political appointees to be confirmed. They work with career staff to ensure continuity in operations.

  • White House Liaisons: These individuals play a crucial role in connecting departments with the White House and are influential in personnel decisions.

  • Getting Involved: Engaging in the transition process, whether through a landing team, beachhead team, or other roles, is a strategic way to position yourself for future opportunities in the administration.

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding Transition Phases: The transition process involves several phases, starting with informal engagement during the campaign, followed by structured roles in the transition team after the election. Each phase provides opportunities to build connections and gain experience.

  • Diverse Opportunities: Many positions, including Schedule C roles (political appointees that don’t require Senate confirmation), are crucial in the administration. Exploring various departments based on personal interests can lead to fulfilling opportunities.

  • Importance of Engagement: Getting involved early, especially in Beachhead teams, can be advantageous. Early involvement helps establish relationships and understand departmental operations, which is beneficial once formal appointments are made.

  • Vetting Process: The vetting process for political appointees includes background checks and scrutiny of social media. Being mindful of public statements and online presence is crucial for those looking to serve in government.

  • Building a Supportive Network: Support for the president-elect is essential. Engaging in the transition process and demonstrating dedication to the administration's goals can help individuals position themselves for future roles.

  • Commitment to Public Service: Ultimately, a career in government is about serving the public good. Having a genuine interest in the work and a commitment to solving problems for citizens can be incredibly rewarding.

  • Structured Teams: Transition teams are organized into various groups, including policy teams, public relations, and congressional relations. Each plays a critical role in shaping the incoming administration’s approach and priorities.