Agencies tap directors to manage possible post-election turnover

By Kevin Bogardus | 05/09/2024 01:30 PM EDT

Planning is already underway in the government to prepare for a potential change of administration after this year’s elections.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump speaking.

President Joe Biden on Feb. 16 in Washington and former President Donald Trump on Jan. 17 in New York City. With the election coming up, planning has begun for a potential change in administration. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

The Biden administration is preparing for a possible transition by lining up officials for the sensitive job of readying federal agencies for a potential turnover.

Agencies are required to name “agency transition directors,” senior career officials who coordinate the changeover between a president-elect’s transition team and the outgoing administration. They gather briefing materials and prepare staff who will lead the agencies while awaiting new political appointees.

It’s a difficult task that takes on outsize importance this year, considering the previous transition was rocky after former President Donald Trump refused to accept his 2020 election loss. Trump is running again for the White House and if he defeats President Joe Biden, agencies would assist Trump and his aides with the transition.

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EPA has named Wes Carpenter as its agency transition director, EPA spokesperson Remmington Belford told E&E News.

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