The missive marks a step forward as the Trump administration prepares to leave the White House later this month. But that comes after several weeks of delays during which current career officials and politicians, as well as Biden transition officials, have repeatedly raised the issue with the Trump administration, said a person familiar with the discussions.
In previous administrations, White House chiefs of staff called for political appointments to begin preparing their resignation letters as early as October. Although it is not a step required by law, it is standard practice.
Some White House officials wanted to send the memo requesting letters of resignation in December, but were prevented from doing so, said a second person familiar with the initiative.
The delay marks another divergence from previous presidential transitions and represented an obstacle for current political nominees looking to plan their way after Trump leaves office later this month. The lack of resignation would also have forced Biden and his cabinet secretaries to fire nominees in their early days in office, before they could bring in new employees.
“In the classic Trump style,” said one of the people, “it’s a terrible service for the people who served him.”