"Dozens of Trump political appointees are petitioning to become part of the permanent bureaucracy — a process known as "burrowing" that is common at the end of administrations.

The requests, detailed in reports prepared for Congress, show political appointees at the departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Justice have requested to be transferred to "nonpolitical permanent positions" beginning in January.

Burrowing happens at the end of every administration, but observers say there are signs more people may be doing it now than in the past.

In the last year of the Obama administration, the Office of Personnel Management approved 21 of 33 transfer requests. Already this year, 42 Trump political appointees have bid for permanent jobs."

Kelsey Brugger reports for E&E News December 9, 2020. [2]