Trump's beachhead teams given approval for landing by OPM
Trump Utilizes Temporary Transition Authorities to Kickstart Government Transition
President-elect Donald Trump has taken advantage of temporary transition authorities to quickly populate federal agencies and departments with his nominees. This move, which was highlighted by The Partnership for Public Service as a key method for a new administration to start governing, has allowed Trump to set the stage for his administration's priorities.
According to guidance sent by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to agency heads, Trump can appoint individuals to advisory or consultative senior executive service (SES) positions for up to 30 days while they're awaiting confirmation. Additionally, agencies and departments can make a certain number of appointments for confidential or policy-determining positions under the temporary transition schedule C authority.
These appointments are intended to serve as temporary appointees until Senate-confirmed officials are in place. The deployed individuals can help lay the groundwork for the new administration's priorities and can work on special assignments, the impact of proposed policies, and coordinate with department officials and other stakeholders. However, it's important to note that such appointees generally lack the authority to make policy given their temporary status.
In the third category under OPM's transitions authority after Centralization Day, the government agencies authorized to appoint more than three persons under the "temporary Transition Rule C" for confidential or policy-determining positions supporting up to two 120-day periods include major federal departments such as the Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and other key executive agencies involved in government transitions.
Many small agencies can only make three such appointments, but a few are authorized for substantially more based on the number of Schedule C appointees in the department. For instance, the Agriculture Department can bring on 93 individuals under TTC. Cabinet-level agencies can make five noncareer SES appointments, while other agencies can institute up to three such appointments.
Trump's team was "locked and loaded" on day one to govern in 2017, sending more than 500 political appointees to agencies throughout the government after the president took the oath of office. This was a significant increase compared to previous administrations, such as Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who also used day one beachhead teams, but to a lesser extent and for more specific roles.
As of now, Trump has announced 92 individuals he intends to nominate, compared to 32 at this point for President-elect Joe Biden. Trump made 536 temporary appointments, dubbed "beachhead" officials, in his first term.
Several Senate committees will begin holding confirmation hearings next week, marking the next step in the process of filling these temporary and permanent positions within the federal government.
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