Shutdown threatens ‘chaos’ for Trump’s transition and inauguration

“At a minimum, a shutdown of the government is going to certainly add to the chaos and the vulnerability to the U.S. government,” she added. “It delays their ability to effectively evaluate the dynamics on the ground, and it probably slows them down, in terms of both policy and personnel reviews, right before they’re trying to make their final high level appointments and develop their first series of executive orders and actions that they wish to take.” Few expect a shutdown — if it happens — to stretch until Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, but lawmakers and veterans of past transitions say even a short-term disruption could impact prep work that has already begun. Will there be people there to work with their performers, and who’s speaking?” John Goheen, the spokesperson for the National Guard Association, told POLITICO that while the “full-time uniformed people” who typically help provide security at the inauguration are usually not impacted by government shutdowns, the staff who work on logistics behind the scenes could be. You need to give states and individual soldiers and airmen adequate warning.” Beyond the inauguration, O’Leary said the delays in the transition due to a potential shutdown and lack of cooperation with the federal government could pose grave security risks to the nation. The 9/11 Commission report, she noted, found that delays in the 2000 presidential transition due to the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case “delayed the national security appointments and national security information being shared in a timely manner.” The national security risk is “not just speculation,” O’Leary said.