November 15, 2016

Warren to President-Elect Trump: You Are Already Breaking Promises by Appointing Slew of Special Interests, Wall Street Elites, and Insiders to Transition Team

Text of the letter available here (PDF)

Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today sent a letter to President-Elect Trump raising serious concerns about the special interest lobbyists, Wall Street bankers, and industry insiders who are staffing his transition team and who will shape the new administration.

The senator wrote, "Based on public reports, your transition team and your potential cabinet include over twenty Wall Street elites, industry insiders, and lobbyists making decisions that could have huge implications for their clients or employers.  They include, among many others, a former Goldman Sachs executive who is rumored to be a Treasury Secretary pick; a paid consultant for Verizon who is making key decisions on your administration's Federal Communication Commission; a 'top lobbyist' whose firm lobbied on behalf of issues related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership who is shaping your Labor Department; and a climate-change-denying, oil industry-paid think tank fellow who is leading your environmental team's transition."

She continued, "You made numerous promises to the American people in your election campaign, none bigger than the promise to ‘drain the swamp' of Washington D.C. special interests rigged against the middle class.  The decisions you make with your transition team will shape the next four years of this nation. They will also reflect the strength of your character and your ability to truly lead--not just follow the marching orders of the special interests and Wall Street bankers you purportedly oppose."

Senator Warren called on President-Elect Trump to remove the lobbyists and special interest insiders from his transition team and replace them with advisors who will fight for the interests of the American people. She stated, "Let me be clear. Should you refuse, I will oppose you, every step of the way, for the next four years. I will champion the millions of Americans you will fail to protect.  I will track your every move, and I will remind Americans, every day, of the actions you take that fail them. And I will not be the only one watching.  The millions of Americans who voted for you - and the millions who didn't - will all be watching you."

The senator's letter details the ties to special interests of more than 20 members of President-Elect Trump's transition team.  A PDF copy of the letter is available here.

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