DOJ signs agreement with Trump transition team
The eagerly anticipated agreement allows the FBI to start performing background checks on Trump’s Cabinet selections.
TroibNews 
The Trump-Vance transition has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice that permits the transition team to “submit names for background checks and security clearances,” as stated in an announcement on Tuesday.
For several weeks, the transition team had refrained from endorsing a memorandum of understanding that would allow the FBI to perform background checks on President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and manage security clearances. Recently, multiple senators have advocated for comprehensive evaluations of Trump's appointments, with one GOP senator mentioning on Monday that the stalemate is expected to be resolved “in the next few days.”
“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,” said incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles in the statement.
The announcement was well-received by Republican senators.
“I think that’s good — it’ll save them some headache,” remarked Sen. Kevin Cramer. “And it’ll give the public and senators a little comfort, I think, so I’m glad to hear that.”
Historically, Trump has expressed a clear antagonism toward the Justice Department and the FBI, a sentiment accentuated by the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. This animosity intensified following the charges he faced in two federal criminal cases tied to his attempts to retain power after his 2020 loss and his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House.
However, this memorandum indicates a potential shift in the Trump team’s rapport with the department. It also suggests that his nominees will undergo extensive evaluations by federal law enforcement agents, with the findings reported to the Senate during the confirmation processes.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
For several weeks, the transition team had refrained from endorsing a memorandum of understanding that would allow the FBI to perform background checks on President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and manage security clearances. Recently, multiple senators have advocated for comprehensive evaluations of Trump's appointments, with one GOP senator mentioning on Monday that the stalemate is expected to be resolved “in the next few days.”
“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,” said incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles in the statement.
The announcement was well-received by Republican senators.
“I think that’s good — it’ll save them some headache,” remarked Sen. Kevin Cramer. “And it’ll give the public and senators a little comfort, I think, so I’m glad to hear that.”
Historically, Trump has expressed a clear antagonism toward the Justice Department and the FBI, a sentiment accentuated by the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. This animosity intensified following the charges he faced in two federal criminal cases tied to his attempts to retain power after his 2020 loss and his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House.
However, this memorandum indicates a potential shift in the Trump team’s rapport with the department. It also suggests that his nominees will undergo extensive evaluations by federal law enforcement agents, with the findings reported to the Senate during the confirmation processes.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
