Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

groundloop

(12,308 posts)
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 06:04 PM Nov 9

Trump still hasn't signed ethics agreement required for presidential transition

Source: CNN


President-elect Donald Trump has not yet submitted a series of transition agreements with the Biden administration, in part because of concerns over the mandatory ethics pledge vowing to avoid conflicts of interest once sworn in to office, CNN has learned.

As president, Trump repeatedly came under fire from ethics groups for potential conflicts of interest relating to his businesses and brands. Both Trump’s and his family’s foreign business ties have also come under intense scrutiny throughout his time in office and on the campaign trail.

Trump and his transition team are already behind in accessing key transition briefings from the Biden administration, as they have failed to sign a pair of agreements to unlock critical information before taking over the federal government in 72 days.

The holdup revolves in part around the mandatory agreement over ethics issues.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/09/politics/trump-transition-ethics-pledge-timing/index.html

36 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump still hasn't signed ethics agreement required for presidential transition (Original Post) groundloop Nov 9 OP
Does a king have to sign it? gab13by13 Nov 9 #1
He'd rather have a coronation Deuxcents Nov 9 #4
Does he really want to be crowned? meow2u3 Nov 9 #17
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Nov 9 #19
It's been three days. I'm hoping we don't follow every move he makes. jimfields33 Nov 9 #5
Hell, the media has covered his every move for the last 10 years or so. groundloop Nov 9 #6
I know. I'm just sick of him so much. 4 years is going to be hell. jimfields33 Nov 9 #7
... and never will. Tadpole Raisin Nov 9 #2
This could be fatal BeyondGeography Nov 9 #3
why should he ? Sancho Nov 9 #8
If he wants keys to the buildings... littlemissmartypants Nov 9 #9
even if he signs - it is a lie Sancho Nov 9 #11
So why hasn't he bothered, I wonder... littlemissmartypants Nov 9 #12
Yeah also it's not like the SC would allow him to BlueKota Nov 9 #16
He's getting them no matter what Polybius Nov 9 #20
Greet him at the door of the White House with a sign-on-the-dotted-line document. mpcamb Nov 9 #10
He won't. And the base rolls on in lapdoggery mode. I just made up a new word (I think).. Evolve Dammit Nov 9 #13
Ethics, the convicted felon, who's stroking who here. republianmushroom Nov 9 #14
What's suppose to happen if he refuses? BlueKota Nov 9 #15
He's counting on winning this battle. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Nov 10 #23
So if he refuses to sign, then Biden is not allowed to turn the office over to him... royable Nov 10 #28
A sternly worded letter will be issued. Hugin Nov 10 #29
It's probably clogging up his toilet IronLionZion Nov 9 #18
strange Skittles Nov 9 #21
Do you think Trump cares? 33taw Nov 10 #22
An ethics agreement ??? SamKnause Nov 10 #24
Which shows us he knew of his shortcomings all along. mdbl Nov 10 #34
This is a dumb move LetMyPeopleVote Nov 10 #25
That's weird... Mike Nelson Nov 10 #26
Who the F is going to force him to sign or preserve any documents as required by law? Tadpole Raisin Nov 10 #27
Trump hasn't signed ethics papers? lonely bird Nov 10 #30
He won't Marthe48 Nov 10 #31
He is a dictator. Your quaint little rules mean nothing to him. travelingthrulife Nov 10 #32
I'm shocked, SHOCKED! Well... not that shocked! Initech Nov 10 #33
And what makes us think he will ? vapor2 Nov 10 #35
Did anyone else notice ... SomewhereInTheMiddle Nov 11 #36

Response to Deuxcents (Reply #4)

jimfields33

(19,137 posts)
5. It's been three days. I'm hoping we don't follow every move he makes.
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 06:15 PM
Nov 9

Doesn’t he have until January 21st?

groundloop

(12,308 posts)
6. Hell, the media has covered his every move for the last 10 years or so.
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 06:22 PM
Nov 9

And the way I read the story is that he's not allowed to begin any transition briefings until he signs it, which very well could be significant (although he already knows everything )

littlemissmartypants

(25,623 posts)
9. If he wants keys to the buildings...
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 06:35 PM
Nov 9

And the locks were changed so his older copies don't work...

He will need to sign the paperwork.

Unless...

He plans to use a 'Storm the Basteille'* approach which I suppose is probably not totally out of the question.

*https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storming_of_the_Bastille?origin=serp_auto

littlemissmartypants

(25,623 posts)
12. So why hasn't he bothered, I wonder...
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 06:42 PM
Nov 9

Since lying is the same as breathing for him and most of his entourage?

BlueKota

(3,667 posts)
16. Yeah also it's not like the SC would allow him to
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 09:18 PM
Nov 9

face consequences even if he signed and just did whatever the f he wanted anyway just like he always does.

mpcamb

(2,975 posts)
10. Greet him at the door of the White House with a sign-on-the-dotted-line document.
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 06:37 PM
Nov 9

"Enjoy the transition... after you ink it, bitch!"

BlueKota

(3,667 posts)
15. What's suppose to happen if he refuses?
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 09:14 PM
Nov 9

Would there have been consequences for any of the former Presidents if they had refused. Not that they will be enforced against Teflon D anyway, even if there are. He's immune.

23. He's counting on winning this battle.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 02:03 AM
Nov 10

If he doesn't sign, they (whoever thy are) will have to bend to his will and let the transition proceed without his signature. Then he can act as he wishes because he didn't sign anything. It's a de facto extension of the near complete immunity the SCOTUS gave him -- one more step toward being a dictator.

If you thought he fought hard to keep the classified documents (for which he got off scot-free), he'll fight 10x harder to avoid signing this document. Once he signs it he is subject to guardrails, and we all know how much he hates having anyone tell him what to do -- or what he can't do.

Let's see what happens.

royable

(1,371 posts)
28. So if he refuses to sign, then Biden is not allowed to turn the office over to him...
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 05:22 AM
Nov 10

If he does sign and then ignores the agreement, he is automatically removed from the presidency, and the former president is reinstated...

...in my imagination.

Hugin

(34,656 posts)
29. A sternly worded letter will be issued.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 05:36 AM
Nov 10

Along with another and another until all of the Federal employees who are writing those damn letters has met with a window in a high place or had a sip of bad tea.

SamKnause

(13,836 posts)
24. An ethics agreement ???
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 02:03 AM
Nov 10

Last edited Sun Nov 10, 2024, 10:01 AM - Edit history (1)

Are they fucking joking ???

He has zero ethics.

What would be the point of an habitual liar signing an ethics agreement ???

Corruption, lying, stealing, conning and pretending to be religious got him to the top of the pyramid.

The 'republican' party attached itself like a blood sucking tic and joined the feast.

They are the party with zero ethics.

Fuck all of them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mdbl

(5,488 posts)
34. Which shows us he knew of his shortcomings all along.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 07:21 PM
Nov 10

Can't sign an ethics agreement when you don't have any.

Mike Nelson

(10,303 posts)
26. That's weird...
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 04:33 AM
Nov 10

... I would expect he would sign it and and say he's going to be "ethical" and get rid of the Biden/Harris crooks, deport the illegals, stop teachers from cutting off their students' body parts, etc... maybe he's having a laugh by not signing the document?

Tadpole Raisin

(1,561 posts)
27. Who the F is going to force him to sign or preserve any documents as required by law?
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 04:53 AM
Nov 10

Who is going to stop him from ripping up documents? No one will be running behind him picking up the pieces and taping them back together.

Who will protect the names and sources in the intelligence community as they are identified and eliminated, like they probably were when last he was president.

Norms mean nothing. Laws mean nothing. SCOTUS means nothing. Lawsuits might keep thes topics in the news but he will drown out the actions with verbal vomitus while the public goes on their merry way.

Until disaster, which he will blame on dems and fake news.

I don’t think there is a seat belt strong enough to keep us from being ejected during this high speed ride.

travelingthrulife

(796 posts)
32. He is a dictator. Your quaint little rules mean nothing to him.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 09:10 AM
Nov 10

He's not going to do anything he doesn't want to do.

Initech

(102,106 posts)
33. I'm shocked, SHOCKED! Well... not that shocked!
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 01:19 PM
Nov 10

You really expect this man to do anything even the slightest bit ethical at this point?

36. Did anyone else notice ...
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 03:52 AM
Nov 11

the quote in the story from Max Stier - "A new team coming in walks in with the responsibility of taking over the most complex operation on the planet and maybe the world."

A shot at hyperbole that missed the target. Made me giggle.

The only ramification of Trump not signing the pledge is that he and his team cannot be briefed until he officially takes office. For any other team that would be disastrous. For Trump's "best minds" it is meaningless as they already know everything and have a plan to set things right however they are currently going.

Or so it seems to me.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Trump still hasn't signed...