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President-Elect Donald Trump’s transition team has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Justice, enabling FBI-conducted background checks and security clearances for administration nominees as part of its preparations to assume office.
Something you should know before you read: During a presidential transition, a MOU is required between the incoming administration and federal agencies, outlining the terms for cooperation and information sharing to ensure a smooth transfer of power. Historically, the MOU enables transition teams to access government resources, conduct background checks, and prepare nominees for critical roles through security clearance processes. These agreements are often signed early in the transition process to facilitate seamless coordination with agencies, such as the FBI and DOJ, which vet candidates for key positions to ensure they meet the ethical and security standards required for government service. The MOU also grants transition teams access to classified information, logistical support, security, and interagency briefings necessary to prepare the administration to govern effectively on Day 1.
What’s going on now: In a statement, President-Elect Trump’s Chief of Staff confirmed they signed the agreement with the Department of Justice. She added that the MOU would 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.”
This all comes after delays in signing the MOU, driven by the Trump transition team’s initial resistance to traditional FBI-led vetting processes due to distrust of the agency, stemming from prior investigations into Trump and his associates. Instead, the team proposed using private companies to vet nominees, raising concerns about transparency and the completeness of these evaluations.
Some have speculated that some of Trump’s nominees will face significant challenges during the vetting and confirmation processes due to potential ethical issues. One nominee in particular, Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, has drawn scrutiny for his controversial public statements and allegations of sexual misconduct.
