Trump Team Signs Agreement to Allow F.B.I. Background Checks for Nominees

The New York Times ^ | Dec. 3, 2024Updated 6:21 p.m. ET | Maggie Haberman, Charlie Savage and Jonathan Swan

[E. Pluribus Unum]

President-elect Donald J. Trump’s transition operation announced on Tuesday that it had belatedly signed an agreement with the Justice Department that will allow the F.B.I. to conduct background checks on people Mr. Trump intends to appoint as senior officials in his new administration.

F.B.I. background checks have long been a routine part of transitions. Law-enforcement vetting of a president-elect’s senior team is normally part of decisions about whether they can be entrusted with access to national security secrets, and senators traditionally want to see such dossiers during the confirmation process.

But Mr. Trump, who is hostile to the F.B.I. because of its role in various criminal and counterintelligence investigations into him, had let weeks pass without signing the agreement.

His team considered bypassing the F.B.I. and instead using private investigators. Under that plan, Mr. Trump would grant security clearances to his picks after his inauguration, and the Senate would not have access to the usual vetting materials.

Despite the signing of the agreement, it remains unclear whether Mr. Trump’s team plans to send the names of all officials requiring a security clearance or Senate confirmation to the F.B.I. for vetting. The announcement did not say whether Mr. Trump would require his appointees to undergo the process or was simply allowing the F.B.I. to begin looking at those who are willing to submit to its scrutiny.

[Blue Highway]

And every one of these same RINOs almost all approved Bidens corrupt people like Merrick Garland, Mayorkas etc.

[grumpygresh]

Need to vet the FBI before they vet anyone else. I hope they look at who is doing the checks.

[Drew68]

WHO??? — Collins, Murkowski, Romney, who else?

Doesn't say.

According to MSNBC, "Senate sources" reporting "at least six GOP senators"

No names.

Also on MSNBC "At least ten Fox employees concerned about Hegesth's drinking... Smelled alcohol on his breath at Fox studios..." Again, no names.

The knives are out for Hegseth. I fear his nomination is doomed at this point. We needed a rough-around-the-edges warrior for SecDef. Warriors like fighting, drinking, and f---ing.

We're gonna get a perfumed prince instead.

[Kudsman]

The New Romney one of the culprits?

[Cobra64]

He has no choice.

[A strike]

Do not trust the evil spawn of Garland, Wray, et al.
They will retain and weaponize any and all information when the time comes.

[Drew68]

The New Romney one of the culprits?

Sen. John Curtis, aka Romney Jr.? I suspect as much.

[jimjohn]

Um...this is the Free Republic,right?

Suddenly, reports from MSNBC and the NYT are considered gospel??

Folks, we HAVE to do better than this. Have you folks forgotten that we won despite all of their false reporting?

Just my $0.02

[Recompennation]

Unconventional times call for unconventional actions, let the senate prove themselves worthy of our, the peoples, trust first.
Screw the fib we know that they can not be trusted.
Term limits will do for a start then cut the fat out starting in Dc.

[MayflowerMadam]

Why? Did that happen for Clinton, Obama, and Biden nominees?

What a stupid stupid stupid thing for Trump to do! Sometimes I wonder about him. 😏🤔

[GrumpyOldGuy]

This is why I’m the end, he won’t make a difference.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

This is why I’m the end, he won’t make a difference.

[Paladin2]

I want to see the FIB check on Ka$h.

[Gay State Conservative]

Bad idea. The suits in DC will get memos from Rat Party Headquarters on how to conduct these checks...and what to find.

[Gay State Conservative]

THE VERY SAME GUYS WHO WERE AUTHORIZED TO USE LETHAL FORCE AT MAR-A-LAGO!

[dpetty121263]

Huge, Huge, Huge failure! Trump talks a good game but in the end fails.

[dpetty121263]

They say if you are going to dream, dream big!

[curious7]

If he gets the boot, there’s 6 senators that should get the boot in the next 6 or fewer years.

[stanne]

When he lets the fbi in it will be to his advantage. Completely.

[Fido969]

The FBI was vetting, and then leaking confidential information.