Trump officials to receive immediate clearances and easier FBI vetting

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Tue 26 Nov 2024 05.00 EST


Donald Trump’s transition team is planning for all cabinet picks to receive sweeping security clearances from the president-elect and only face FBI background checks after the incoming administration takes over the bureau and its own officials are installed in key positions, according to people familiar with the matter. The move appears to mean that Trump’s team will continue to skirt FBI vetting and may not receive classified briefings until Trump is sworn in on 20 January and unilaterally grant sweeping security clearances across the administration.

Trump’s team has regarded the FBI background check process with contempt for months, a product of their deep distrust of the bureau ever since officials turned over transition records to the Russia investigation during the first Trump presidency, the people said. But delaying FBI vetting could also bring ancillary PR benefits for the Trump team if some political appointees run into problems during a background check, which could upend their Senate confirmation process, or if they struggle to obtain security clearances once in the White House.

The putative process for obtaining a clearance in the first Trump administration involved the White House’s personnel security office relying on an FBI background check to decide whether to grant one. The background check initially looked for untrustworthiness or red flags that could be exploited by adversaries.

If the initial checks against law enforcement databases uncovered no issues, applicants were granted an interim clearance while deeper investigations continued until it was advanced to a permanent clearance. The current Trump plan appears set to bypass that initial stage.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/26/trump-transition-team-fbi-security-clearances-background-checks

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Based on what Hugo wrote - no "classified" briefings (despite an initial clearance) until AFTER January 20, 2025 and their appointees are in place, so it's all on them, and not Biden's people.

[moniss]

1. Well there you go

background checks after they control the FBI. I'm sure those will be thorough.

[Puppyjive]

2. All federal enployees

Should bypass the security clearance process. It's a pain in the ass. We don't need honest employees anymore. Follow Trump's lead. Dismantle the deep state. Wtf is going on?

[The Grand Illuminist]

3. Blame the voters

And hold them accountable and dealt with accordingly.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Ironically enough

the FBI (who has contracted out the checks over the past couple decades) was so underfunded and understaffed, that it took years to get one completed.

I remember when I finally had a 10-year "update" clearance check after 20 years in my federal job (they had such a huge backlog that I don't think I ever got the 10-year one).

Actually had a contract investigator schedule an interview with me to complete it for my clearance (which was one of the "sensitive" ones).

[travelingthrulife]

7. So you shrink the FBI and then complain it takes too long.

The United States has left the world stage.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. That's how they roll.

[DallasNE]

5. One Step Has Been Left Out

Before the simplist background check is performed Trump will grant a blanket pardon to all those convicted for any J6 related crimes.

[travelingthrulife]

6. Let the dismantling of our government proceed with all haste.

WHY is our government going along with this demented nutcases every whim?

[DV1]

9. They want to see

how far the nutcase will go before making any final decisions?

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Congress needs to update the law AGAIN

with an "or else".

But the problem IS the "or else" part because you need to have some sort of "continuity of operations", if/when there is a standoff or delay.

[Javaman]

11. aka all appointments will be compromised.

the russians are now in charge.

[cactusfractal]

12. Vet them with pitchforks nt

[speak easy]

13. Gabbard

QED

[GB_RN]

14. This Just Says To Me...

That Cantaloupe Caligula the Corpulent knows there are not too many of his sycophants and incompetents who would pass the FBI check.

[C0RI0LANUS]

15. Under #45, an abbreviated FBI SBI with limited witness interviews and a GOP Senate resulted in this abomination.