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Senate Republicans Dismiss Replacing FBI with Private Investigators for Trump Nominee Background Checks
Senate Republicans have rejected a proposal from President-elect Donald Trump’s advisers to shift background checks for high-level nominees from the FBI to private investigators.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the suggestion aimed to expedite the confirmation process, but GOP senators argue that the FBI’s unparalleled access to criminal and intelligence data makes it indispensable.
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, emphasized that the FBI’s expertise and resources are vital for vetting nominees with access to sensitive national security information.
Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) supported the FBI’s continued role, noting that private firms cannot match the FBI’s access to comprehensive law enforcement records.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) highlighted the agency’s decades-long history of handling background checks, asserting its importance in maintaining thorough vetting processes. She expressed skepticism about private investigators, questioning their potential biases and reliability.
Concerns over bypassing the FBI have grown as Trump’s transition team reportedly used private firms to vet nominees, citing fears of delays from traditional background checks.
The New York Times revealed a memo suggesting nominees could gain security clearances without FBI vetting, a controversial idea pushed by Trump advisers such as Boris Epshteyn.
High-profile nominees like former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Trump’s choice for attorney general, face heightened scrutiny due to allegations of misconduct. Similar controversies surround Pete Hegseth, nominated as secretary of Defense, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., slated for Health and Human Services. Tulsi Gabbard, nominated as director of national intelligence, also faces bipartisan concerns over her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) criticized the proposal, calling it irresponsible to bypass the FBI’s credible and conflict-free vetting process. He warned that using private firms could compromise the integrity of background checks, highlighting the FBI’s decades of expertise.
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