Information for the Executive Branch

“The Congress declares it to be the purpose of this Act to promote the orderly transfer of the executive power in connection with the expiration of the term of office of the President and the inauguration of a new President.”

The transfer of power from one administration to the next marks a significant moment in U.S. history. The Presidential Transition Acts of 1963 and 2000 give the General Services Administration (GSA) a prominent role in this process. They authorize the Administrator of GSA to provide the President-elect and the Vice-President-elect the services and facilities needed to assume their official duties.

Read more about GSA’s responsibilities in support of the President-elect>

Presidential Records

Presidential records are defined as "documentary materials, or any reasonably segregable portion thereof, created or received by the President, his immediate staff, or a unit or individual of the Executive Office of the President whose function is to advise and assist the President, in the course of conducting activities which relate to or have an effect upon the carrying out of the constitutional, statutory or other official or ceremonial duties of the President…" (44 U.S.C. 2201(2).) These records can be in a variety of formats, including paper documents, photographs, motion picture film, tape recordings and electronic records. Presidential records are governed by the Presidential Records Act and are not subject to the Federal Records Act.

Federal Records

The National Archives and Records Management Administration (NARA) guide, Documenting Your Public Service, provides high-level Government officials with basic information to enable them to distinguish Federal records from other documentary materials, including personal files.

Agencies with Special Responsibilities

Some agencies have special responsibilities when it comes to preparing for and supporting a Presidential Transition and/or Presidential Inaugural.

• General Services Administration
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
• Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
• Department of Defense (DoD)
• Office of Government Ethics (OGE)

Executive Branch Resources

The information provided here is from the latest edition of the U.S. Government Manual. Since its last publication, the incumbents of some positions may have changed. For the most current information, we recommend that you go to the agency's website.

• Executive Branch
• Departments
• Independent Agencies
• Quasi-Official Agencies
• Boards, Commissions and Committees
• Budget & Workforce Data
• Councils

TRANSITION SUPPORT

Presidential Transition Support

The General Services Administration (GSA) plays an important role in Presidential Transition, including providing a variety of services needed to help them assume their official duties. To facilitate this process GSA has assembled a number of teams:

• Incoming Presidential Transition Team
• Inaugural Team
• Internal GSA Transition Team
• Outgoing Administration Team

Learn more about GSA’s Presidential Transition support>

Presidential Inauguration Support

GSA’s Inaugural Support Team, provides a full suite of services to the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC) and other governmental entities.

Presidential Inaugural Committee>

Another key component of support for the inauguration is the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee.

Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC)>