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The Trump campaign may turn down assistance from the Federal General Services Administration (GSA) if President Donald Trump wins in November, according to a new report.
Newsmax revealed that Trump’s campaign is gearing up for his win in the November elections without help from the GSA.
The Trump campaign has some valid concerns about working with the GSA, especially after leaks in 2016. Politico wrote, “Trump’s team simply does not trust the GSA after its 2016 experience,” and added, “with some blaming federal workers for leaks of potential administration hires and widespread dismay with the agency’s decision to hand over transition records to special counsel ROBERT MUELLER.”
Trump has been vocal in his distrust of federal workers. The Government Executive reported that in an interview with conservative Youtuber Shawn Ryan, President Trump had said, “They’re crooked people, they’re dishonest people. They’re going to be held accountable.”
Choosing to accept help from the GSA would also mean that campaigns would need to adhere to $5,000-per-donor contribution limits in funding.
Ken Nahigian, who was the executive director of Trump’s 2016 transition, agrees that Trump should pass on this help as some allies blame the leaks on federal workers.
Nahigian told Politico, “The GSA presidential transition support model has run its course and either campaign should have the option to operate their transitions independently in order to have the most flexibility for fundraising, information security, and operations.”
Typically, the GSA will help ease the transition period from one administration to another by providing back-end support, office space and technologies to ease the transition. Newsmax reported that the GSA has offered its agency to Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who have to accept the offer by Sept. 1.
Trump also recently stated during an interview that he may decline access to traditional pre-Election Day intelligence briefings over accusations of leaking classified information.
“We look forward to this notification and will reply when we have evaluated what is being offered, said Brian Hughes, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, according to ABC News.
