Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 22 hours ago
The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of American democracy—but how smooth is the process really? In this deep dive, we explore the complexities of presidential transitions, from historical precedents to modern-day challenges. Learn how Congress, the courts, and federal agencies shape the handover of power, and what the biggest risks are when a new administration takes control.
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This discussion covers the role of the Senate, the influence of lobbyists, and the controversial Schedule F proposal, which could reshape the federal workforce. Experts break down the constitutional, legal, and operational challenges behind presidential transitions, with insights into past power transfers, from Bush v. Gore to Trump-Biden.
What do you think is the biggest challenge in a presidential transition? Comment below and share your thoughts! Don’t forget to check out our recommended reading list in the description for more insights into the history of U.S. presidential handovers.
Valerie Smith Boyd leads the Partnership for Public Service’s efforts to support successful transition planning for current and future Presidential administrations. She has had a long public service career, having served in the past three administrations in both career and political roles. Valerie was part of the small team that stood up Department of Homeland Security headquarters in 2002. She supported President Bush’s transfer of homeland security knowledge during the 2008 transition and assisted President Obama’s team with their 2009 integration of the Homeland Security Council and National Security Council staffs. During her time at the NSC, she organized the interagency policy process and managed briefing and decision materials for the President and the Cabinet. Most recently, Valerie returned to DHS, where she oversaw policy development for homeland security partnerships around the world. Between public service, she has worked in corporate social responsibility. She has degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Valerie has worked with too many outstanding public servants to choose a favorite and believes that leaders from across government must work together to solve problems in service to the American people.
Doug Spencer is Ira C. Rothgerber, Jr. Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of Colorado. Professor Spencer is an election law scholar whose research examines the role of prejudice and racial attitudes in voting, and the ways that election rules and political campaigns contribute to growing inequality in America.
Before moving to Colorado, Spencer was Professor of Law & Public Policy at the University of Connecticut from 2013-2021. He has also taught as a Visiting Professor at the Yale Law School (2022 and 2020) and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy (2018-2019). He has published dozens of academic articles and has served as an expert witness in voting rights and campaign finance cases. Prior to law teaching, was a law clerk at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights in San Francisco, an election monitor in Thailand for the Asian Network for Free Elections, and a researcher for the Pew Center on the States’ Military and Overseas Voting Reform Project.
Professor Spencer holds a Ph.D. in Jurisprudence and Social Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. He also earned a J.D. at Berkeley Law and a M.P.P. at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. He graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University in 2004 with a B.A. in Philosophy.
The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of American democracy—but how smooth is the process really? In this deep dive, we explore the complexities of presidential transitions, from historical precedents to modern-day challenges. Learn how Congress, the courts, and federal agencies shape the handover of power, and what the biggest risks are when a new administration takes control.
Please donate here to keep our programming going: vailsymposium.org/donate
Join our mailing list to get advance info on our upcoming programs and livestreams: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1887647/1895526
Like, subscribe, and click the bell icon above to get notifications when we post new videos!
This discussion covers the role of the Senate, the influence of lobbyists, and the controversial Schedule F proposal, which could reshape the federal workforce. Experts break down the constitutional, legal, and operational challenges behind presidential transitions, with insights into past power transfers, from Bush v. Gore to Trump-Biden.
What do you think is the biggest challenge in a presidential transition? Comment below and share your thoughts! Don’t forget to check out our recommended reading list in the description for more insights into the history of U.S. presidential handovers.
Valerie Smith Boyd leads the Partnership for Public Service’s efforts to support successful transition planning for current and future Presidential administrations. She has had a long public service career, having served in the past three administrations in both career and political roles. Valerie was part of the small team that stood up Department of Homeland Security headquarters in 2002. She supported President Bush’s transfer of homeland security knowledge during the 2008 transition and assisted President Obama’s team with their 2009 integration of the Homeland Security Council and National Security Council staffs. During her time at the NSC, she organized the interagency policy process and managed briefing and decision materials for the President and the Cabinet. Most recently, Valerie returned to DHS, where she oversaw policy development for homeland security partnerships around the world. Between public service, she has worked in corporate social responsibility. She has degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Valerie has worked with too many outstanding public servants to choose a favorite and believes that leaders from across government must work together to solve problems in service to the American people.
Doug Spencer is Ira C. Rothgerber, Jr. Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of Colorado. Professor Spencer is an election law scholar whose research examines the role of prejudice and racial attitudes in voting, and the ways that election rules and political campaigns contribute to growing inequality in America.
Before moving to Colorado, Spencer was Professor of Law & Public Policy at the University of Connecticut from 2013-2021. He has also taught as a Visiting Professor at the Yale Law School (2022 and 2020) and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy (2018-2019). He has published dozens of academic articles and has served as an expert witness in voting rights and campaign finance cases. Prior to law teaching, was a law clerk at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights in San Francisco, an election monitor in Thailand for the Asian Network for Free Elections, and a researcher for the Pew Center on the States’ Military and Overseas Voting Reform Project.
Professor Spencer holds a Ph.D. in Jurisprudence and Social Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. He also earned a J.D. at Berkeley Law and a M.P.P. at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. He graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University in 2004 with a B.A. in Philosophy.
