As President Donald Trump prepares for a potential return to the White House, his transition team is taking unprecedented measures to bypass the FBI for vetting political appointees. In a dramatic break from tradition, Trump plans to rely on private firms for background checks and only involve the FBI once his administration assumes control of the bureau.
This decision comes after years of tension between Trump and the FBI, particularly under former directors James Comey and Christopher Wray, whom Trump and his allies accuse of weaponizing the bureau against him.
For nearly eight years, Trump has accused the FBI of targeting him, his family, and his associates using the now-debunked Steele dossier as justification. Critics of the bureau allege that this dossier—a collection of unverified claims about Trump’s connections to Russia—was used as a basis for surveillance during his 2016 presidential campaign and throughout his administration.
Tensions escalated further when the FBI, under Wray, conducted a high-profile raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Trump characterized the search as politically motivated, pointing to reports that agents rifled through personal items, including his wife’s clothing.
“These actions show just how corrupt and politicized the FBI has become,” Trump said in a recent statement. “There is absolutely no reason to trust them—now or ever.”
Traditionally, the FBI handles background checks for political appointees to ensure nominees meet the rigorous standards required for federal positions. However, Trump’s transition team intends to bypass this protocol by enlisting private companies to conduct the vetting process.
The strategy aims to prevent what Trump’s camp sees as potential sabotage from a “deep state” within the FBI, which they fear could derail his nominees before they even begin their roles.
According to Wall Street Mav, Trump plans to grant provisional security clearances to his appointees on his first day in office. This would allow them to begin work immediately, with FBI background checks deferred until his administration can implement reforms and install new leadership at the bureau.
Supporters of the plan argue that it is a necessary response to the FBI’s perceived partisanship in recent years. “The FBI has lost so much credibility that Trump is not even using them for background investigations of his nominees,” the Wall Street Mav reported.
This distrust is rooted in the belief that current FBI leadership could use the vetting process to undermine Trump’s administration. Trump allies cite previous investigations into his inner circle as examples of politically motivated attacks, including cases involving former advisers Michael Flynn and Roger Stone.
Trump’s team has also hinted at broader reforms within the FBI, which they argue is essential to restoring public confidence in the bureau.
The decision to sideline the FBI has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue that bypassing standard background checks could compromise national security and lead to the appointment of individuals who might not meet federal standards.
“It’s dangerous to override these protocols, regardless of past grievances with the FBI,” said one former intelligence official. “These background checks exist to protect the integrity of our government.”
Opponents also contend that Trump’s approach risks further politicizing the FBI, undermining its independence and credibility in the process.
Trump’s strategy reflects broader concerns about the state of federal institutions and the deep divisions within U.S. politics. For his supporters, this move signals his commitment to challenging what they view as entrenched corruption. For his critics, it raises alarm bells about the potential erosion of long-standing governmental norms.
As Trump prepares for a potential second term, the battle lines are being drawn not only over policy but also over how the federal government itself should function.
If implemented, Trump’s plan could mark a significant shift in how presidential transitions are handled, setting a precedent for future administrations. It also underscores the need for the FBI to address perceptions of partisanship and rebuild trust across the political spectrum.
For now, Trump’s allies remain steadfast in their belief that bypassing the bureau is the best way to protect his administration’s agenda. “Until Trump has his own people in the FBI and can bring a stop to the political motivation to attack his nominees,” a source close to the team said, “the FBI will remain cut out of the process.”
The coming months will reveal whether this controversial strategy succeeds in reshaping the transition process or further deepens the divide over the role of federal agencies in American politics.
Every 3 letter organization needs to be revamped there’s to much corruption in every departments. The cesspool is over flowing with crooked high officials and the smell is throughout the agency’s. It’s time to flush the swamp down the drain. No more democrats double standards. Everyone of them need to be investigated a full complete colonoscopy