Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, it’s fair to say, include several people who would not have been nominated by any other president in history. Some of them even have what would have been career-ending scandals in their past, although then again, Trump has many of them as well.
CNN reported this week that the Trump team is skipping the usual background checks for some of their cabinet choices. The report, citing people close to the presidential transition, says the Trump crew is “ bypassing traditional FBI background checks for at least some of his Cabinet picks while using private companies to conduct vetting of potential candidates for administration jobs.”
Why do this?
NEW: Donald Trump’s transition team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for at least some of his Cabinet picks while using private companies to conduct vetting of potential candidates for administration jobs https://t.co/7R7OrNJiUo
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) November 15, 2024
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Per the CNN report, the Trump team believes “the FBI system is slow and plagued with issues that could stymie the president-elect’s plan to quickly begin the work of implementing his agenda.”
The story did not say for which nominees the incoming administration is bypassing the FBI background check process. But among those who “could” run into such problems with the check is Gaetz, who was investigated by the Department of Justice for sex trafficking, but had the probe closed without charges being filed.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence, has also met with various foreign leaders, including Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, and has also praised Vladimir Putin and pushed baseless conspiracy theories about “biolabs” in Ukraine.
When Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was pushing Russia propaganda about alleged US bioweapons labs in Ukraine to try and persuade Congress not to provide aid (exactly what Putin hoped would happen), Mitt Romney tweeted this. pic.twitter.com/MbsiTydzFL
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 14, 2024
Gaetz, of course, would be unlikely to fare well in any FBI investigation. Senators are demanding details about the House Ethics Committee probe into Gaetz’s conduct, which was reportedly scuttled when he resigned his House seat. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said this week he’s open to subpoenaing the Ethics Committee to obtain the report before the Senate votes on Gaetz’s nomination. The probe, per NBC News, focused on “sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, accepting improper gifts, obstruction and other allegations.”
Photo courtesy of Political Tribune media library.
