When Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton became the de facto candidates of their parties this summer, there was no small disgruntlement and concern - from part sides of the political contest - that they would be entitled to limited intelligence briefings.
Critics of Mr Trump alleged that some of that information would find its way to the Kremlin through one of the tycoon’s advisers who had ties to Russia. Meanwhile, opponents of Ms Clinton suggested any information she received would be not be safe as a result of her use of a private email server.
Now, a day after Mr Trump became president-elect, it has emerged that the 70-year-old Republican will begin to receive practically the same briefings received as President Barack Obama.
CBS said that the tycoon’s transition team will begin their work on Wednesday in New York, meeting with Mr Trump, to begin the world of considering cabinet posts.
Mr Trump will be presented the top recommendations for cabinet secretaries. The team is also prepared to vet any additional names Mr Trump may mention for consideration, the network said.
It said that that the transition will be carried out in New York, where senior staff will meet with Mr Trump regularly, and in a large Washington-based office established for transition work.
At this stage, the two dominant transition advisers are New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, both of whom the president-elect mentioned in his early morning victory remarks.
Non-political, career intelligence agents are waiting to brief the campaign and president-elect as soon as his team requests it, the network said. They are not part of Mr Trump’s internal transition meetings due to take place on Wednesday.
President Obama has already authorised guidance on the type of intelligence he deems important for the president-elect to get briefings on. Up until January 20th, Mr Obama will be able to weigh in and authorise what is disclosed.
