President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is falling short of its goal to have 2,000 political appointees on board by Inauguration Day, a new report reveals.
Trump’s team sent out several employment offers to political appointees on Monday in an effort to meet the goal — but they’re still falling short, CBS News reports, citing two sources familiar with the situation.
The goal has been difficult to meet because many of those being offered jobs work in the private sector and want to give two weeks notice before leaving, according to CBS. Others are hesitant to commit to potential roles without an official offer letter in hand, the outlet reports.
“President Trump picked a brilliant Cabinet in record and historic time and the Trump-Vance Transition is working non-stop to fill the Administration with hard workers who believe fully in the America First Agenda,” spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told CBS.
Trump had about 1,200 appointees hired in January 2017 in time for his first inauguration, according to CBS. President Joe Biden similarly had 1,136 political appointees in place for his January 2021 inauguration.
Trump’s allies have also warned that appointees must be “fully aligned” with the president-elect, indicating shows of loyalty may play a role in the hiring process.
“Let me be clear: anyone working under President Trump in the NSC will be fully aligned with his America First agenda,” Mike Waltz, incoming national security adviser, posted on X Monday.
“Any rumors or suggestions to the contrary are fake news and a distraction from the mission,” he continued.” “We will clear the decks to Make America Great Again!”
The Daily Beast reported that such loyalty tests may be holding up appointments too.
Candidates undergo an initial background review, interviews with subject-matter experts and an interview with their potential department leader, CBS News reports.
Waltz’s statement comes after Joshua Steinman, former National Security Council senior director for cyber during Trump’s first term, claimed many soon-to-be-announced appointees previously criticized the president-elect.
“Many who have gotten the nod are great,” Steinman said. “But a significant number of as-yet-unannounced staff have long histories of being vocally ‘never Trump,’ and working for prominent figures who have repeatedly undermined the President.”
The Independent has contacted Trump’s transition team for comment.
This development comes just 13 days ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
Before then, he must make a pit stop in New York to attend a sentencing hearing in his hush-money case after a jury convicted him on 34 counts of falsifying business records last year. Judge Juan Merchan indicated Trump would receive “a sentence of unconditional discharge,” which means he will not face jail time, probation or fines.
