Presidential Transitions: Issues Involving Outgoing and Incoming Administrations
The report addresses the use of executive orders, record preservation and clemency actions by the outgoing Administration, as well as cybersecurity, budget preparation, political appointments, and so forth. Essential reference.
In fact, the security clearance system itself is an expression of presidential authority. Its scope and operation are defined in an executive order (EO 12968), and its terms can be modified by the President at will. And if the President wished to grant access to classified information to a family member, for example, there would be no legal barrier to doing so.
See “Trump Will Have Wide Latitude to Let Family Into Government's Secret Circles” by Mark Landler, New York Times, November 16.
