Some key GOP senators open to no FBI background checks on Trump picks
CNN
Key Republican senators promised on Monday that President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, will be vetted through the confirmation process.
Key Republican senators promised on Monday that President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, will be vetted through the confirmation process. At the same time, two incoming committee chairs suggested openness to Patel and Trump’s other nominees not undergoing full FBI background checks as has traditionally been done. CNN has reported that Trump’s transition team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for at least some of his Cabinet picks. Trump and his allies believe 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, people briefed on the plans said. “My job is to make sure that the nominees have a thorough, fair process, and ultimately, you know, our members will decide,” said Sen John Thune, the incoming Senate Majority Leader, when asked if he has any concerns about Patel. Thune said, “historically, the best place to get that done has been through the FBI,” but he acknowledged Trump has some “alternatives” in mind for background checks and the committee chairs will have to trust that nominees before them have been thoroughly examined. Republican Sen. Michael Crapo, who will chair the Senate Finance Committee that will hold confirmation hearings for several positions, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, said he will accept whatever Trump wants.
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