Donald Trump needs a transition leader

The GOP primary is effectively over, but presumptive nominee Donald Trump isn't moving into government office space just yet.

Presidential transition work is happening earlier than ever before, with the Partnership for Public Service taking a leading role and a new law requiring the White House and individual agencies to pick transition leaders six months before the election -- by May 8.

David Eagles, director of presidential transition work at the Partnership for Public Service, told FCW that the General Services Administration has been working with the Trump campaign "very closely."

The organization and the White House began briefing senior campaign officials in a private meeting two weeks ago.

"They recognize its importance; they're super engaged," Eagles said of Trump campaign officials. They have not, however, established a formal transition team or appointed a transition leader, he added.

"They need transition teams really now," Eagles said, noting that the Partnership had initially recommended creating teams by April.

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Eagles said he expects the campaign to organize its transition team in the next few weeks. Given Trump's outsider status, it is likely that his leader will not have experience with the mechanics of the federal government, but that's all right, Eagles added.

"I would go trust and loyalty first, and knowledge and experience around transition second," he said, adding that the transition leader must have Trump's trust and be able to make decisions on his behalf.

As for office space, GSA (the one agency Trump loves) doesn't need to install Trump's operation until after the Republican National Convention in July, despite the fact that he's running unopposed, Eagles said.

Tim Horne, GSA's federal transition coordinator, was unable to comment, but his office said he was appointed to the position in March. His scheduler told FCW that the Denver-based Horne has been on the phone nearly constantly for the past few weeks as the pace of transition work ramps up.