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.

[1malumprohibitum]

Mistake

[dadfly]

too bad.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Could be a way to catch them, though, having already vetted separately.

[imabadboy99]

i’m sure fagg wray will be fair and impartial

[SkyDancer]

So he’s going to use today’s FBI to check on his nominees? Big mistake.

[stanne]

People still don’t trust Trump. That’s a mystery

[chief lee runamok]

It may be a good way to flush out undesirable fbi agents.

[chief lee runamok]

It may be a good way to flush out undesirable fbi agents.

[Zathras]

How did Valerie Jarrett ever pass the FBI check?

[glorgau]

Hopefully the agreement has some method for auditing materials collected.

[mabarker1]

President Trump this not good.
VERY BAD !!! THEY CAN NOT BE TRUSTED AT ALL !!!

[Sacajaweau]

Mistake?? Please....I'm sure the FBI already has all they need to make a decision. These candidates are not new to the political/social world.

The agreement is just part of the process. No big deal in the real world.

[popdonnelly]

Don’t give your enemies anything.

[FirstFlaBn]

It’s no coincidence that Trump’s nominees are making the rounds with Repub senators right now. So, it either means they gave nominees an ultimatum - background checks or a likely ‘no’ vote on confirmation - or - some are ‘no’ votes and Trump is removing this excuse.

[Ronald77]

No way should he allow the corrupt FBI to vet
Anyone.

[HollyB]

Was she ever in a position that required a back ground check such as a director of an agency. She was an advisor. They should, but are checks done on advisors ?

I don’t think back ground checks are done on congress either.

[dp0622]

I gave up on that.

Probably sounded like a concern troll during the election :)

“omg he said that?!? he’s done!!”

“oh no, he did what?!?! he’s done!!”

Etc :)

[Brian Griffin]

Senator Collins wants FBI background checks:

https://www.centralmaine.com/2024/11/15/sen-collins-wants-full-confirmation-process-for-trump-appointees/

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

What could possibly go wrong???