Trump administration still vetting for jobs for their second term

John McEntee, an ultra-loyalist to the Trump administration, is continuing to interview for second-term roles

The Trump administration is continuing to vet potential nominees for a second term, maintaining the charade of electoral victory despite the election being called for Joe Biden.

Two sources told The Daily Beast that the White House Presidential Personnel Office (PPO) was still processing candidates for jobs across the federal government which would be taken up in early 2021.

Mr Biden’s inauguration is set for 20 January.

The PPO has, since February, been headed by John McEntee, a 30-year-old ultra loyalist who joined the Trump team in the early days of the campaign, but was fired by the then-chief of staff, John Kelly, in March 2018 for financial malfeasance.

At the time it was reported that he was accused of online gaming and tax fraud, and was escorted out of the White House without even being allowed to fetch his jacket.

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On Monday, CNN’s Jake Tapper reported that Mr McEntee had also been “spreading the word throughout the administration that if he hears of anyone looking for another job they will be fired.”

White House managers are telling their staff to proceed as if Mr Trump will still be in power after January, and even prepare a budget for next year, the Washington Post reported. 

Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior White House aide, “has been more hardcore in fighting back on this than anybody,” said Jason Miller, a top Trump campaign aide.

Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, on Tuesday said: “There will be a smooth transition - to a second Trump administration.”

The previous day Bill Barr, the attorney general, sent round a memo “authorising” federal prosecutors to look into accusations of electoral fraud - something which is normally investigated at the state level.

The head of the Electoral Crimes Branch resigned in protest a few hours later, attacking what he said was the ripping up of a 40-year tradition.