Posted on 10/27/2024 2:44:27 PM PDT by ransomnote
A memo circulating among at least half a dozen advisers to former President Donald J. Trump recommends that if he is elected, he bypass traditional background checks by law enforcement officials and immediately grant security clearances to a large number of his appointees after being sworn in, according to three people briefed on the matter.
The proposal is being promoted by a small group including Boris Epshteyn, a top legal adviser to Mr. Trump who was influential in its development, according to the three people.
It is not clear whether Mr. Trump has seen the proposal or whether he is inclined to adopt it if he takes office.
But it would allow him to quickly install loyalists in major positions without subjecting them to the risk of long-running and intrusive F.B.I. background checks, potentially increasing the risks of people with problematic histories or ties to other nations being given influential White House roles. Such checks hung up clearances for a number of aides during Mr. Trump’s presidency, including Mr. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Mr. Epshteyn himself.
The proposal suggests using private-sector investigators and researchers to perform background checks on Mr. Trump’s intended appointees during the transition, cutting out the role traditionally played by F.B.I. agents, the three people said. Once Mr. Trump took the oath, he would then summarily approve a large group for access to classified secrets, they said.
Asked about the proposal, Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, responded with an attack on Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she and Democrats “have weaponized the Department of Justice to attack President Trump and his supporters” and that Mr. Trump would use “the full powers of the presidency” to build his administration starting on Inauguration Day.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Russia, Russia, Russia.
So, his ‘advisers’ recommend that Trump do exactly like every Democrat pResident has done since Clinton.
Absolutely. Of course, the media won't like it. I guess the media can take Trump to court. Or something. But I don't see how the media (or anyone else) will have "standing".
I remember a story saying Clintoon himself couldn’t pass a background test. But he was elected so there wasn’t anything they could do about it.
I agree. Potential Trump employees should be vetted by a trustable institution. It merely demonstrates the fact that the FBI doesn’t trust itself. I certainly do not. (I believe that most FBI folks are trustable, but their leadership of Biden morons and career bureaucrats is not.)
More importantly, Trump needs to revoke the security clearances from a ton of Washington insiders one day one and then prosecute anyone with a revoked clearance who gets or gives access to classified info
It is a trap...
The NEW Trump FBI could handle this.
If a truck driver or garbage man has to pass an FBI background check these guys should. Do it by the book, or he will just be handing them ammo to use against himself. Let the FBI hang themselves if they refuse to clear someone.
I would first use military intelligence vet the FBI upper management. Fire the partisans. Back fill the FBI from wherever I could find loyal Americans. Then go on to appointing administrative positions.
That would certainly send a message to the Deep State that their services are no longer required nor trusted under the Trump Administration.
Go Trump.....drain the swamp
OPM issues clearances.
After all the people that President Trump chose for his administration who turned out to be turncoats, people think this is a GOOD idea? Former appointees are still stabbing him in the back...
They went all the way back to my kindergarten teacher (for getting my security clearance).
Not real sure how bad that was, but probably wasn’t pretty, lol.
For people that require a security clearance to get access to classified information, an in-depth background investigation is conducted primarily by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, and the recipient signs a nondisclosure agreement.
Access to any particular piece of information requires “need-to-know.” In some cases, this requirement is only nominal, as some classified information is widely published on secure networks. In other cases, there is a formal need-to-know determination. In addition to such a determination, Special Access Programs and Sensitive Compartmented Information may require additional investigation and adjudication of the prospective clearance holder.
As of 2020, the cost of obtaining a Top Secret clearance is $5,596 while a Secret clearance is $433. These costs are paid for by revolving government funds and not by contractor companies.
The FBI is responsible for conducting background checks and record reviews for individuals seeking security clearances. This includes checking with various federal agencies, local law enforcement, and reviewing credit history. The candidate must complete forms such as SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) and provide fingerprints.
However, if they have already been vetted (as most every Trump person from 2016-202 would have been), the FBI doesn’t have a role. I only had the FBI investigation my first year in the military, for every position for 22 years since that time, it was the DCSA that approved my clearances, some I was told to never even mention. I worked in SCIFs.
Stupid New York Times.
I was a rascal too until I got enough schooling under my belt for my brain to start to develop and prevent me from doing stupid things. I never had any problems with background checks as I got older. LOL!
A fundamental principle of a republic is that the President can appoint whom he wants, with no veto by the permanent government of the very appointees responsible for controlling them.
The FBI is completely corrupt. He should do this.
Furthermore, he needs to unilaterally revoke the clearances of several FBI agents and lawyers, and other traitors.
The Deep State slow walked EVERYTHING in Trump’s first term. They are preparing for it. Good on them.
This organization now does the security vetting for DOD.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Counterintelligence_and_Security_Agency
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