Following the election, a president-elect traditionally engages in limited outreach to foreign leaders. Building relationships with key foreign leaders is critical and can help determine the success of the new president’s foreign policy. During the transition period, however, it is important for the president-elect and the staff to ensure the government is always speaking with one voice, particularly on matters of national security and foreign policy. As a result, the State Department traditionally has helped coordinate phone calls between a president-elect and foreign dignitaries. Best practice would be for the president-elect to avoid commitments that might undermine the current administration.
In the case of President-elect Barack Obama in 2008-2009, engagement with foreign leaders began with a series of phone calls placed shortly after Election Day to close American allies. This list included the United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, Canada and Mexico. This engagement was strategic and intended to emphasize the importance of these nations to the United States.
Two days later, Obama placed calls to leaders in Russia and China, countries with more complex relationships with United States. The chart below, compiled by the Center for Presidential Transition and the Boston Consulting Group, illustrates the calls placed by Obama and offers a rough roadmap for what we can expect from Vice President Biden should he win the election.
The transition between a president’s first and second term has been both under-explored and undervalued, but it presents unique opportunities and challenges. In the joint paper from the Miller Center and the Center for Presidential Transition explores the lessons of history to provide a roadmap for future presidents’ fifth years.
Read more: University of Virginia’s Miller Center
A paper by UVA’s Miller Center Director and CEO William Antholis and Center for Presidential Transition Director David Marchick featuring lessons learned from previous transitions that occurred during political and economic crises.
Memo from Acting OMB Deputy Director for Management Michael Rigas and GSA Federal Transition Coordinator Mary Gibert to agency heads with guidance on presidential transition preparations dated Sept. 4, 2020.
The 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Joe Biden transition team and the General Services Administration establishing the support and services the transition team will receive as described in the Presidential Transition Act. This document was signed by the Elizabeth Cain from GSA and a representative from the eligible candidate.
The report that the General Services Administration submitted to Congress on the presidential transition three months ahead of the election, as required by law. This document covers the meetings of the White House Coordinating Council and career Agency Transition Directors Council and activities of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Department of Justice and FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service, Office of Government Ethics (OGE), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and the GSA.
This document, prepared by the Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition® and the law firms of Steptoe & Johnson and Holland & Knight collects historical examples of decisions previous administrations have made when vetting prospective political appointees. It includes updates for the 2020 presidential transition cycle.
The report that the General Services Administration submitted to Congress on the presidential transition six months ahead of the election, as required by law. This document covers the establishment of the White House Coordinating Council and career Agency Transition Directors Council, other activities of the GSA, funding and resources provided to the eligible candidate(s) and the role of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Department of Justice, FBI, Office of Government Ethics (OGE), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
The Center for Presidential Transition’s comprehensive guide on the activities required during the transition. This guide for the 2020 presidential election cycle was produced in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group. It features detailed outlines of transition best practices, historical materials from past transitions, and recommendations for a successful presidential transition to a new or second-term administration.
Memo from Acting Office of Management and Budget Director, Russell Vought, to agency heads with guidance on presidential transition preparations and implementing the Presidential Transition Act dated April 4, 2020. This memo includes guidance on the timetable of agency actions, including which agencies will participate in the Agency Transition Directors Council (ATDC) and other agencies who will name a transition point of contact.
