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WASHINGTON (AP) – After weeks of deliberation, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team finally agreed Tuesday to let the Justice Department run background checks on his nominations and appointees.
A seamless transfer of power requires that Trump transition aides and future administration employees receive security clearances prior to Inauguration Day so they may access sensitive information about ongoing federal initiatives. Additionally, it enables senators to do the background checks they choose before casting their votes on nominations.
Investigation teams have been waiting to process clearances for advisers and staffers to Trump.
Susie Wiles, Trump’s nominee for White House chief of staff, stated, “This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day.”
The news was made a week after the Biden White House and the Trump transition team reached a deal that would allow transition officials to work with the current federal workforce prior to their January 20 start date. The Biden White House had made both public and private pleas for Trump’s team to sign the White House agreement, which was required by the Presidential Transition Act to be signed by October 1.
The Biden White House and outside experts have stressed to Trump’s team the significance of having cleared personnel prior to Inauguration Day so they can be fully briefed and prepared to run the government. Security clearances are necessary to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the country.
As has been the norm for decades, Republican senators have also demanded that FBI background checks be performed on Trump’s nominees before to confirmation votes. The results of investigations into Trump’s choice of former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as national intelligence director have piqued the curiosity of lawmakers.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, stated on Monday that “that’s why it’s so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing.”
The Trump administration “understands there’s going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees,” according to John Thune, the incoming Republican leader of the Senate.
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Lisa Mascaro, a congressional journalist for AP, contributed.
