() – Donald Trump’s transition team signed a memorandum of understanding with the Justice Department, paving the way for the team to ask the FBI to conduct background checks on the president-elect’s picks.
The agreement, announced by Trump’s team on Tuesday, outlines the terms of cooperation between the transition team and the Justice Department, marking a significant step in the preparation of the incoming administration. It comes after complaints from some Republican senators that the delay in signing the memorandum could delay the confirmation process for Trump’s picks.
“This allows the transition team to submit names for background checks and security clearances,” the transition said in a statement.
previously reported that the transition team was turning to private companies to conduct vetting of potential candidates and was bypassing traditional FBI checks for at least some of its picks. It is not yet clear how many of Trump’s nominees to lead various agencies and departments will undergo FBI background checks.
Trump and his allies believe the FBI system is slow and plagued with problems that could hamper the president-elect’s plan to quickly begin the work of implementing his agenda, people briefed on the plans said.
While some key GOP senators suggested they are open to Trump’s picks for his Cabinet not undergoing full FBI background checks, as was traditionally done, others said they would like to see that process followed.
“As I’ve told you repeatedly, I think we need an FBI background check to evaluate the allegations,” Maine Sen. Susan Collins told ‘s Manu Raju on Tuesday when asked about Pete Hegseth, the nominee. Trump to head the Department of Defense.
North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer said he would like to see an FBI background check or “something similar,” including a review by “private entities,” and also noted that the commissions have “many of the same enforcement authorities.” investigation” to investigate those selected.
In addition to paving the way for potential background checks, the agreement with the Department of Justice gives the transition team greater access to critical information from federal agencies, allowing for more effective preparation as they take on the challenges and responsibilities of govern.
“This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure that President Trump and his team are ready on day one to begin enacting the America First agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day,” he said. in a statement Susie Wiles, the incoming general secretary in the Trump White House.
The Trump transition last week signed an agreement with the White House, unlocking briefings and key transition activities after a long delay that stemmed, in part, from the Trump team’s concerns about a binding ethics agreement. In signing the agreement, the team made it clear that it would do things its way, promising to operate as a “self-sufficient organization.”
Trump’s team presented an ethics plan that guides the conduct of its members throughout the transition period, but as reported last week, it does not appear to include provisions for a key member of the team: the president himself.
–‘s Betsy Klein, Steve Contorno and Arlette Saenz contributed to this report.
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