Thune says whole panels can see background checks on Trump nominees – Washington Examiner
The recent discussions about President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees have revealed tensions surrounding the standard FBI background checks typically required for new appointees. While some Republican senators have indicated a willingness to ensure that trump’s nominees receive proper vetting—including FBI checks—others are proposing to avoid such checks, notably for certain individuals like Kash Patel, a nominee for FBI leadership.
Senate Democrats,however,have expressed strong opposition to bypassing these checks,insisting that all nominees undergo standard background investigations as part of the confirmation process.republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, are exploring ways to allow Senate panels to review the background checks in full, which may streamline the confirmation process but could also lead to significant delays if procedural obstacles arise due to paperwork or other issues. As things stand, the interplay between these competing interests will shape the path forward for Trump’s nominees in the Senate.
Thune says whole panels can see background checks on Trump nominees
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said he would be open to entire committees viewing background checks of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees.
Traditionally, Senate committee leaders won’t share background checks with the rest of the committee leaders given how lengthy the reports can be. There is an expectation the Senate committees make their confirmations in a timely manner.
“I think that you want to have as much background as possible that is available to the committees as they make their decisions,” Thune told CBS News.
How widely background checks are conducted for Cabinet nominees has been a point of contention as Trump’s picks have garnered significant criticism.
Nearly a dozen senators are calling on the leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee to renegotiate with the incoming Trump administration in order to make Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth’s background check available to all the panel’s members.
This comes as Hegseth faces allegations of rape, a series of accusations about his drunken behavior, and allegations he financially ruined two veteran advocacy organization groups he once led.
FBI background checks typically take weeks, but Hegseth’s will be expedited in order to be ready in time for his confirmation hearing on Jan. 14. Hegseth’s background check was delayed due to Trump’s reluctance to sign an agreement with the FBI.
So far, a total of eight Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats are pushing to see Hegseth’s background check, including Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
“Having more information is a positive thing, even for the Republicans,” Kelly said. “As you’ve seen, there are some that are struggling with this nomination.”
Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Susan Collins (R-ME), a possible swing vote for Hegseth, are also calling to see the FBI background check.
But in light of the New Year’s Eve terrorist attack in New Orleans which killed 14 people, Thune said the importance of swiftly confirming Trump’s Cabinet nomination positions has only increased.
“The threat posed by ISIS will outlast this administration, and this is a clear example of why the Senate must get President Trump’s national security team in place as quickly as possible,” Thune wrote on X.
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