Trump’s team still hasn’t signed the power transition agreements, the White House said

The Trump-Vance transition team has yet to sign the necessary documents to officially begin the transition, the White House said.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday that “Our teams continue to be in contact” and “as of right now… GSA).

Not signing the documents means the government can’t grant security clearances and briefings to incoming administration officials and the FBI can’t vet Trump’s Cabinet picks and other key posts. The agreements also provide for “office space, IT equipment, office supplies, fleet vehicles, mail handling, and payment of compensation and other expenses,” according to GSA.

“President Biden met with the president-elect to show that the transition of power and obviously to provide, any help, necessary to make sure that it happens in a peaceful, transparent, and effective way,” said Jean-Pierre.

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“So we would continue to engage with Trump’s transition team, to ensure that we have an effective, efficient transition of power,” he added. “And in those discussions, we’re certainly emphasizing that the White House and the administration are ready to provide assistance and that access to the services and information that’s certainly been described in the GSA, and the White House memorandum of understanding. So, those discussions are ongoing. And we want this to go well, and that’s what we are trying to achieve.”

Continued delays in agreeing to begin the formal transition process may ultimately force senators to vote on Trump’s Cabinet picks without the benefit of routine background checks, the Associated Press reported.

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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing at the White House on Thursday, Nov. 21. He said the Trump-Vance transition team still hasn’t signed the documents that would officially begin the transition of power. (AP/Ben Curtis)

That process is designed to uncover personal problems, criminal histories and other potential red flags that could raise questions about a candidate’s suitability for important jobs.

It is not clear why the papers have not been signed.

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, Washington. (AP/Evan Vucci)

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Transition spokesman Brian Hughes said earlier this month that “team attorneys are continuing to engage constructively” with lawyers and officials in President Joe Biden’s outgoing administration and promised updates “once a decision is made.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.