By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
New York City businessman, developer, and reality TV star Donald J. Trump (R) was elected President of the United States on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Now the Trump campaign is switching to transition. The Trump Administration is going to appoint 4,000 people for positions in the federal government in the next 100 days, not including federal judges.
The Trump transition team has set up a website to accept applications. According to the website, President Elect Trump has, “Promised to change Washington, DC and that will start with identifying and recruiting the finest men and women from across the country to serve in his Administration. Any individual who wishes to serve the Administration should utilize this online application in order to participate.”
Some of those positions will require Senate confirmation, while others will not. Appointments that require Senate confirmation include the Cabinet, subcabinet, members of regulatory commissions, ambassadorships, judgeships, as well as members of numerous advisory boards.
Most applicants under serious consideration will have to undo a full FBI background check in which an applicant’s history of employment, personal, travel, medical, financial, legal, military and education background will be reviewed. Consideration is taken for possible conflicts of interest. Financial holdings and sources of income must be disclosed. Any conflicts must be remedied by divestiture, the creation of special trusts, and other actions. Many appointees’ dealings with the Federal government both during and for a period of time after their service will be significantly restricted to prevent possible conflicts of interest.
To apply for positions in the Trump-Pence Transition, Executive Office of the President, or a Federal Department, Agency or Commission complete the online application and submit it electronically.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence is leading President-elect Trump’s Transition team. Trump has already appointed Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus as Whitehouse Chief of Staff. Trump has also appointed former Breitbart News head Stephen K. Bannon as senior counselor and Chief West Wing Strategist.
US Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) has been mentioned by media reports as possibly Attorney General or Secretary of Defense. Former Alabama Attorney General and current federal appeals court judge, Bill Pryor is reportedly under on the short list for a Supreme Court. A seat on the Supreme Court was vacated by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. President Barack H. Obama appointed Merrick Garland to the position, but to this point the Senate has not voted on confirming that appointment. Conservatives hope that the Senate takes no action on the Garland appointment so that President Trump can appoint the next Supreme Court Justice.
To apply to join the Trump Administration visit https://apply.ptt.gov.
(Original reporting by the New York Times, Fox News, and CNN contributed to this report)
