Donald Trump’s transition team reportedly uses private companies to vet potential candidates for administrative roles, sidestepping traditional FBI background checks for some Cabinet choices. Sources close to the transition planning told CNN that Trump and his allies believe the FBI’s process is “slow” and fraught with issues that could delay his agenda.
Critics argue that thorough background checks often uncover embarrassing information that could be politically damaging. This concern arises as Trump has proposed controversial figures for top government positions, including Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
In the U.S., the president holds ultimate authority over nominations, regardless of protocols established post-World War II to ensure appointees do not have to compromise foreign ties or other national security concerns.
CNN notes that avoiding these checks challenges a long-standing Washington norm and underscores Trump’s deep distrust of what he calls the ‘Deep State.’
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Sources indicate Trump has privately questioned the necessity of FBI background checks. “The incoming Trump administration doesn’t seek harmony,” said Dan Meyer, a national security attorney in Washington, D.C. “They don’t want the FBI to maintain a norm; they aim to disrupt it.”
Before the November 5 presidential election, Trump’s advisers circulated a memo suggesting he bypass the traditional background check process for some appointees. The memo advocated hiring private researchers for faster vetting, though Trump might still opt to submit these names to the FBI later.
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Several of Trump’s nominees could face difficulties during the background checks, potentially complicating their confirmation. Matt Gaetz, for instance, has been embroiled in U.S. Justice Department and House ethics investigations related to sex trafficking allegations, which he denies.
Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard has been criticized for positions seemingly favouring foreign leaders like the presidents of Syria and Russia. In 2017, she met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, later asserting that he was “not an enemy” of the U.S.
