Summary
Donald Trump’s transition team plans to grant sweeping security clearances to cabinet picks before traditional FBI background checks, delaying vetting until the new administration takes over the bureau and installs its own officials.
This move could bypass FBI scrutiny and delay classified briefings until Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
The approach reflects Trump’s distrust of the FBI, rooted in its role during the Russia investigation, and mirrors past controversies like Jared Kushner’s delayed clearance, which Trump overrode despite FBI and CIA concerns.
Critics warn this could undermine vetting and create potential security risks.
President always had that capability, as head of the executive branch. It wasn’t used often (dire situations may apply, like needing to get an expert cleared quickly to be brought into a highly sensitive project – in this case the request is likely following a chain-of-command and the individual likely has a positive public or professional reputation that proceeds them), because it’s shady as fuck and everyone knows it. Certainly not on a large scale for an incoming cabinet.
But ultimately, security clearance is on the approval of the president, just delegated through the state department.