A former Biden administration official's transition from political appointee to career civil servant raises questions about the practice of "burrowing" in federal agencies.
According to The Daily Wire, Taylor Carter-Disanto, previously employed in the White House's Presidential Personnel Office, has secured a permanent position at the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in December 2024.
Carter-Disanto's career trajectory includes roles in the Biden campaign, the inaugural committee, and most notably, the Presidential Personnel Office, which manages political appointments. Her LinkedIn profile, featuring a photo with President Biden and a pride flag with a black-power fist cover image, confirms her new position in MBDA's Strategic Initiatives Group.
The LGBTQ+ Victory Initiative supported Carter-Disanto's initial political appointment to the Commerce Department in September 2021, where she served as Special Assistant to the National Director of MBDA. During her tenure, the department highlighted her perspective on intersectional identities and their impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
Following her initial role at MBDA, Carter-Disanto worked as Baltimore's Deputy Director for Broadband and Digital Equity. Her work there focused on addressing historical inequities in internet access, particularly connecting 1960s redlining practices to current digital disparities.
The timing of her return to federal service, occurring in December 2024 during the presidential transition period, has drawn attention to the practice of political appointees transitioning to career positions.
Federal regulations specifically address "burrowing," implementing safeguards to prevent political operatives from embedding themselves within subsequent administrations. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must grant special permission for such conversions from political to permanent positions.
Carter-Disanto addressed her return to federal service on LinkedIn, stating:
I am honored to return to Minority Business Development Agency – U.S. Department of Commerce to continue my passion for enhancing economic prosperity for our country's dynamic and resilient minority business community.
This case mirrors a similar situation involving Elizabeth Peña, another former Biden PPO official who transitioned to a non-political position at the Labor Department. The Trump administration subsequently terminated Peña's employment following public disclosure.
The MBDA's status was elevated through Biden's infrastructure law, which established it as a permanent agency with annual funding of $110 million. This legislation also made the agency's leadership a presidential appointment position.
The agency's mandate specifically addresses support for socially or economically disadvantaged individuals, including Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Neither Carter-Disanto nor the Department of Commerce has responded to requests for comment regarding the position transition. The OPM has also remained silent on whether they authorized the conversion of her role.
Taylor Carter-Disanto's transition from Biden White House political appointee to career civil servant at the Department of Commerce's MBDA exemplifies the complex dynamics of government workforce transitions during presidential changeovers. The practice of "burrowing" continues to generate debate about maintaining non-partisan civil service while managing political appointments, particularly as the Commerce Department and OPM have yet to address the specifics of this personnel change.
