Transitions: Planning and staffing a presidency

Newly elected presidents have 11 weeks to translate their electoral victory into a governing agenda and team. The two priorities go hand in hand, and successful transitions address both challenges at the same time. That includes strategic and operational choices in setting out a legislative and governing agenda, as well as confirming approximately 1,300 executive branch officials and filling judicial vacancies.   

On November 21, the Katzmann Initiative at Brookings and the University of Virginia’s Miller Center hosted an event featuring practitioners and experts on presidential transitions to discuss the strategic choices an incoming administration faces, as it tries to balance working with Congress on legislations and confirmations and using the powers of the presidency. Panelists also did a deep dive into the confirmation process. 

Viewers submitted questions for speakers by emailing [email protected] and via X (formerly Twitter) at @BrookingsGov by using #PresidentialTransitions.