The President’s Inbox Staffing a New Administration, With Stephen Hadley (Transition 2025, Episode 1)
Nov 5, 2024
Stephen Hadley, a former national security advisor to George W. Bush, shares his insights on the intricate process of presidential transitions and the staffing challenges new presidents face. He discusses the crucial impact of personnel choices on foreign policy and emphasizes the need for communication between outgoing and incoming teams. Hadley highlights the balancing act of upholding campaign promises while addressing unfolding global events, as well as the importance of effective crisis communication and structuring a cohesive National Security Council for optimal decision-making.
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Episode notes
Empty House
- During the Ford-Carter transition, Hadley arrived to find all documents gone, sent to the Ford Library.
- Junior staff remained, but senior staff and classified materials vanished overnight.
Smoother Handover
- Outgoing administrations should copy key documents and designate interim staff.
- This ensures a smoother handover for incoming teams.
Transition Priorities
- Incoming administrations must prioritize staffing, organizational structure, and initial actions.
- Short transitions complicate this process significantly.
