doi:10.7916/vmga-q331Oral history interview with Joshua Bolten, 2021Bolten, Joshua Brewster, 1954-oral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesPresidents--Transition periods--United StatesWar on TerrorismSeptember 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001Bailouts (Government policy)--United StatesIraq War, 2003-2011Afghan War, 2001-2021Bolten, Joshua Brewster, 1954-Obama, BarackTroubled Asset Relief Program (U.S.)Joshua Bolten, who served in the George W. Bush administration as White House Chief of Staff from 2006 to 2009, discusses the 2008-2009 presidential transition. Bolten outlines the Bush administration's efforts to professionalize the transition process, and the national security dynamics of the process associated with the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the elevated threat of terrorist violence after 9/11. Bolten describes encounters between the White House and the Obama transition team, including discussions related to executive branch operations, efforts to support the American auto industry, the release of the second tranche of funds provided by the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and the September 25, 2008 meeting in the White House Cabinet Room with Bush, Obama, John McCain, and congressional leadership at the height of the financial crisis. Also discussed are the Bush administration's drafting of strategic policy memos for the incoming Obama administration, tabletop crisis exercises conducted with incoming national security staff, debates around the recipients of the President's Daily Brief, the Bush administration's approach to the lame duck period following the 2008 election, and Bolten's memories of the first Obama inauguration, including the threat of terrorism