Trump Transition Team to Grant Security Clearances on First Day, Using Private Companies Instead of FBI

Nov 30, 2024, 12:06 PM

Donald Trump's transition team is set to implement significant changes to the security clearance process for political appointees. On the first day of his administration, Trump plans to grant sweeping security clearances to all appointees, bypassing the FBI's traditional background checks. Instead, his team will utilize private companies for these investigations, reflecting a deep-seated distrust of the FBI. This decision comes in light of perceived bias against Trump and his associates, particularly following actions taken by FBI Director Chris Wray. The transition team has received clearance to meet with the Defense Department and other federal agencies, although they continue to sidestep standard FBI vetting procedures.