Election 2020: Trump Already Preparing Presidential Transition In Case He Loses To Biden

President Donald Trump has officially started the first steps of the presidential transition in case he loses to Joe Biden in the November 2020 elections.

According to reports, Trump has initiated calls to form a council under the Presidential Transition Act, which will ensure the continuity of taking charge of the federal government, especially amid challenging circumstances such as the coronavirus pandemic.

The act implores that the incumbent president, who is also running for another term, must name members of the transition council six months before the day of the election. Two senior administration officials said Trump will name Chris Liddell, the deputy chief of staff, as the coordinator. Liddell is also heading Trump's preparation for a second term at the White House.

Reports also stated that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has instructed Cabinet departments to name one senior career executive as its "transition director" on or before May 1. They will be serving the transition council by preparing briefing materials for both presidential candidates. They will be expected to work alongside other career executives.

"The Presidential Transition Act promotes the orderly transfer of executive powers in connection with the expiration of the term of office of a president and the inauguration of a new president," the White House memo from Russell Vought, the acting OMB director stated. "The activities required by the act are also helpful to prepare for leadership transitions that occur between the first and second terms of administrations.”

Meanwhile, Biden is also preparing his own transition team. He told attendees at his virtual fundraiser Monday he has met with Sen. Ted Kaufman, D-De., to discuss their transition plan.

"You’ve got to be ready on Day One to be able to start naming people to head up these Cabinet positions, sub-Cabinet positions and those appointments that are in within the departments that are career positions, and bring people back,” Biden said. “I think we can do it.”

Biden, who was vice president under Barack Obama's administration, also detailed his experience during the transition between the Bush and the Obama administration.

"The Bush administration worked very closely with Barack and me, with our administration in terms of handing over power in the transition,” Biden shared. “I hope it’s as smooth as it was – and I doubt it, but I hope so."