Ranking Member Raskin Asks Transition to Commit to Requiring Full Vetting of All Appointees

Washington, D.C. (December 13, 2024)— Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, sent a letter to the co-chairs of the Trump-Vance Transition requesting that they commit immediately to requiring that all nominees submit to a full vetting by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The letter comes amid media reports that the Transition may still be planning to skirt traditional FBI vetting by outsourcing to private firms, and that some incoming personnel may be refusing to undergo vetting before the Trump Administration takes office.  Media reports also indicate that President-Elect Trump could be planning to grant broad security clearances on day one without any of the standard vetting.

“I write today to seek clear assurance that the Trump-Vance Transition will require that all nominees receive a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check before they are considered by the Senate and submit to vetting before they are afforded access to classified information, consistent with standard practice across administrations,” wrote Ranking Member Raskin.  “Echoing the promises President-Elect Donald Trump made on the campaign trail, a Trump-Vance Transition spokesperson recently asserted that the President-Elect’s nominees ‘reflect his priority to put America First.’   However, several of the nominees announced so far appear to have significant ties to U.S. adversaries, be vulnerable to blackmail or other forms of coercion, or lack even the most basic credentials needed to effectively protect U.S. interests and national security.”

Reports indicate that, in some cases, the Transition may be planning to sidestep traditional FBI background checks—a critical step to protect America’s national security—and instead use private companies to conduct vetting.  Vetting by private firms has obvious shortcomings, as nominees would not be under the same legal compulsion to thoroughly disclose potential conflicts and negative information that would apply to disclosures made to the FBI, and firms paid by the Transition may feel pressured to conceal derogatory information.  Several Republican Senators have raised flags about the risks of private vetting.  

In the letter, Ranking Member Raskin notes that the Trump-Vance Transition is reportedly concerned that FBI background checks could “turn up embarrassing information” on incoming personnel—including ethical conflicts-of-interest and foreign entanglements.  Alarmingly, an internal legal review by the Trump transition reportedly found that top aide Boris Epshteyn sought to gain financially from his influence with Trump and unsuccessfully solicited payments from potential administration nominees. 

A number of individuals named by President-Elect Trump as nominees for top positions in the next administration are reported to have troubling ethical conflicts, foreign entanglements, personal histories of improper or even criminal conduct, and other vulnerabilities that could raise serious security risks in the absence of proper FBI vetting.

For example, the background of Pete Hegseth—President-Elect Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Defense—raises serious flags.  Reporting illuminates a past history of indiscretions that make him highly susceptible to blackmail.  Hegseth’s lack of significant management experience is also of concern, in light of the fact that his main agenda appears to be gutting the nation’s armed forces.  He has made clear his intention to “fire a ton of generals.” 

Additionally, President-Elect Trump’s nominee-designate for Director of National Intelligence—former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard—raises several security concerns.  She has repeatedly appeared to side with authoritarian adversaries, including by blaming the U.S. and NATO after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his murderous invasion of Ukraine.  Gabbard’s views have earned her frequent praise on Russian state-run media.

A full FBI background check is necessary for the Senate or national security agencies to fully assess whether these individuals should be trusted to fill senior positions in the government where they would access highly sensitive and classified information.

“Given the urgency of ensuring that personnel who take office in the Trump-Vance Administration will not pose undisclosed and unvetted security risks, I request that the Trump-Vance Transition commit immediately to requiring all nominees to undergo FBI background checks before they are considered by the Senate and submit to vetting before they are afforded any access to classified information,” concluded Ranking Member Raskin.

Click here to read the letter.