President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team reached an agreement with the Justice Department on Tuesday that will allow the FBI to conduct background checks on administration nominees and appointees.
“The agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day,” incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said in a statement.
The memorandum of understanding with the DOJ “allows the transition team to submit names for background checks and security clearances.”
“Ultimately, this will afford the transition process additional insights, and it facilitates our agency landing teams gaining access to the information they need to prepare for leadership of the federal agencies and departments,” the Trump transition team said in a statement.
The agreement follows controversy over some of Trump’s choices for top posts in his incoming administration.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, bowed out last month after it emerged that a potentially damning House Ethics Committee report on allegations of sexual misconduct and drug abuse was on the verge of release.
Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, whom the president-elect tapped to lead the Pentagon, has faced sweeping allegations of financial mismanagement and sexual impropriety since his nomination to be secretary of defense.
The agreement to allow the FBI to conduct background checks on nominees and appointees could potentially put senators at ease when voting to confirm Trump’s picks.
Several Republican senators had voiced a preference to having the bureau conduct background checks prior to confirmation hearings next year.
The agreement also clears the way for the DOJ to grant the transition team greater access to information from federal agencies in the lead-up to Trump’s inauguration.
Last week, Trump’s team reached a deal with the White House on allowing transition briefings to begin taking place.
