President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reportedly seeking to wait on FBI background checks for political nominees until the administration has taken office. According to the exclusive report in The Guardian, the administration first wants to install its own officials into key positions at the bureau.
In addition, the report states the administration wants to provide appointees with security clearances on day one, meaning they would bypass the standard approvals.
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Normally, obtaining a security clearance is a multi-step process that involves rounds of background checks. According to the report, incoming administration officials view that as pointless, because the president can grant clearances to whomever he wants.
The decision to delay the checks could prevent incoming officials from receiving classified briefings before they take office, at which point Trump can unilaterally grant access. It’s worth noting The Guardian report is based on anonymous sources. It cites, “people familiar with the matter.”
In fact, the only on the record statement is from Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes who said, “The Trump-Vance transition lawyers continue to constructively engage with the Biden-Harris administration lawyers regarding all agreements contemplated by the Presidential Transition Act. We will update you once a decision is made.”
Hughes was referring to the campaign declining to sign papers to officially begin the transition. If they do that, the team could receive security clearances and federal funds to pay for the work they’re doing. Instead, they are relying on private donations which they are not required to disclose.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the teams continue to stay in touch, but Trump and his team have not entered a formal agreement with the White House and General Services Administration.
