'I wrote the law': Senator says Trump is balking at making essential ethics pledge

Donald Trump hasn't been sworn into office yet but, according to one U.S. senator, he's already delaying his legal responsibilities.

Taking to X on Monday, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) cited a CNN report saying that Trump still hasn't signed an ethics agreement that has to be on file before a presidential transition takes place.

By law, no transition can take place before it's signed — and Trump is already making plans including appointing Cabinet members.

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But transition briefings, needed before he takes office, have been delayed because by law they can't be given before the ethics agreement that's part of the Presidential Transition Act is signed.

The law applies to all members of the transition team.

In March 2020, Trump himself signed the bill requiring the ethics pledge into law. Wisconsin's Sen. Ron Johnson (R) introduced the bill and it was co-sponsored by Warren, among others.

"Donald Trump and his transition team are already breaking the law," said Warren on X. "I would know because I wrote the law. Incoming presidents must prevent conflicts of interest and sign an ethics agreement. This is what illegal corruption looks like."

Trump becomes president on Jan. 20, 2025.