Staff Reports
Months of delay and speculation surrounding the transition of power have finally led President-elect Donald Trump’s team to announce a delightfully bureaucratic memo with the Justice Department. This memorandum of understanding paves the way for FBI background checks that will ensure the incoming administration is ready to roll on Day One, all while adhering to the traditions of Washington. Clearly, the America First Agenda is not just a slogan; it requires a little red tape to get moving.
The incoming Trump chief of staff, Susie Wiles, proudly proclaimed that this agreement signals readiness. With their eyes on the prize, Trump and his team are set to launch policies that a significant majority of Americans threw their support behind on Election Day. It’s comforting to know that even in the grip of a bureaucracy that sometimes feels like quicksand, there is a path forward—provided one doesn’t mind a little regulatory shuffle to clear the way.
After all they have done to him, he had to dig deep on this one. https://t.co/3xS4qv1OQP pic.twitter.com/2BefVfkyzn
— Must Read Alaska (@MustReadAlaska) December 3, 2024
Tradition dictates that appointees undergo background checks, which offers a hardy nod to governance norms, even if it’s not legally required. Trump himself had previously considered skipping this formality, likely because some of his choices for the Cabinet had attracted a bit of media backlash. After all, doing business in politics requires not just action but the finesse to navigate the occasional headline backlash.
Enter the Democrats, who have witnessed Trump’s Cabinet picks come under intense scrutiny. Take for example Tulsi Gabbard, who was once on an aviation watchlist, or Pete Hegseth, who found himself embroiled in controversies related to a sexual assault case from several years back. The Democrats, led by outgoing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are keen to ensure that appointees undergo the proper vetting. They stand ready, pinky-swearing to offer bipartisan scrutiny and support as Trump’s nominations roll in, showing an unusual willingness to play nice—at least when it aligns with their interests.
Not to be outdone, several Republican figures have echoed the importance of these background checks as well. Senator Susan Collins has insisted the FBI’s involvement is crucial, while Roger Wicker is just a heartbeat away from a full-on FBI pep rally about the process. Ultimately, it seems that there is a collective agreement among lawmakers that thorough vetting is the name of the game. After all, even within the corridors of power, there is a shared recognition that a little due diligence never hurt anyone—especially if it helps to create a smoother transition into the administration’s goals.
As Trump’s transition team recently coordinated with the outgoing Biden administration, this newly signed memorandum for FBI background checks is a noticeable shift from initially only granting interim security clearances. It demonstrates that a bit of foresight can go a long way. With this groundwork laid, Trump’s administration is primed to begin implementing its agenda—albeit with a few hoops to jump through first.
