Donald Trump took home the win Tuesday, but President Obama will still be in office for more than two months.
Inauguration Day is Jan. 20, 2017 and both Obama and the president elect have a lot to do before then. The new president used to be inaugurated on March 4, four months after Election Day. The period between Election Day and inauguration day was shortened in 1933 with the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment, which moved inauguration day to Jan. 20.
Congress has passed a number of laws since then to streamline the transition process. In 2010, Congress passed the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act. The law directs the General Services Administration to supply office space and equipment to both of the major-party candidates after they’re formally nominated.
Just last year, Congress passed the Presidential Transitions Improvements Act. Under the law, the executive branch creates transition groups for the White House and for federal agencies. Representatives from each of the presidential candidates are involved in the transition groups.
Nov. 9 – Jan. 20:
For President Obama:
President Obama will be considered a ‘lame duck’ for the duration of his term in office. He’ll have 73 days to tie up loose ends. Obama will likely continue his work to shut down Guantanamo Bay. He’ll also be working to convince Congress to approve Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.
For the President Elect:
Donald Trump will use this time period to prepare for the presidency. He’ll need to work out his agenda for the first 100 days in office, receive policy briefings and fill out his staff.
The new administration will have to fill about 4,000 positions, about a quarter of these require confirmation from the Senate. The president elect will also need to pick nominees for his cabinet before inauguration day. The nominees are confirmed by the Senate and sworn in after inauguration day.
Jan. 20:
The 45th President will be sworn in on the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. Trump will take an oath of office and swear to uphold the Constitution. After that, he’ll deliver a speech and head off to a number of inauguration day events.
The Obamas and Joe Biden will also hand over their twitter handles: @POTUS, @FLOTUS and @VP.
