Trump transition team to allow FBI to do background checks on incoming staff

The Trump-Vance transition said Tuesday it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the US Department of Justice, allowing the FBI to conduct background checks and security clearances on cabinet nominees and incoming White House staff. The agreement comes after the transition team was unwilling to submit background checks to the FBI over a distrust of the bureau. The FBI has historically been responsible for the vetting of each cabinet nominee and the administration of security clearances. However, this process could not commence until an agreement was reached.

"This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the American First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," Susie Wiles, President-elect Donald Trump's chief of staff, said in a statement.



The Tuesday announcement was welcomed by a number of Republican senators who were dissatisfied with the transition team's refusal to undergo DOJ background checks. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) told Politico: "It'll give the public and senators a little comfort...so I'm glad to hear that."

During the campaign and after the election, Trump and his supporters publicly criticized the FBI. Kash Patel, Trump's nominee to lead the agency, has been a passionate critic of the "deep state" since his first term in office, echoing Republican claims that Democrats have "weaponized" the FBI.

Trump nominated Patel on Sunday, writing on Truth Social, "Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials."

"This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI," he added.