Key Takeaways:
– A memo from those around Donald Trump suggests a new strategy for fast-tracking security clearance if Trump is reelected.
– Private firms may conduct background checks for appointees, easing their rapid access to classified information.
– The strategy could prevent slow, probing FBI checks which previously delayed clearance for some of Trump’s aides.
– Critics warn this approach could result in people with questionable histories or affiliations getting influential roles.
With rumors of former President Donald Trump running for office in the future, a new strategy has reportedly been proposed by his closest confidants. This recently discovered approach aims to bypass conventional background checks, opening up immediate access to classified information for potential appointees.
Ground-Breaking Strategy for Faster Clearances
The revealing memo circulating among Trump’s advisors suggests that, in the case of his election, he should replace traditional FBI background checks with private companies. These privately-led checks would grant swift security clearances to a large number of his appointees post-inauguration. Among the advocates for the new strategy is Boris Epshteyn, a top legal advisor to Trump, who contributed significantly to the development of this proposal.
Potential Risks and Implications
While it’s too early to confirm if Trump is enthusiastic about embracing this ground-breaking approach, one thing is certain – if actualized, it would expedite the installation of his loyalists in key positions. This would effectively bypass the risk of long-winded and probing FBI background checks that could place nominees in an unfavorable light.
This latest maneuver, if approved, could also lead to a potential increase in risks associated with assigning key White House roles to individuals with dubious history or foreign affiliations. It’s worth noting that FBI checks previously suspended clearances for various aides during Trump’s presidency, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Epshteyn himself.
Major Shift in Security Checks
Under the proposed plan, Trump’s administration would rely on private sector investigators instead of the FBI to perform the background checks. Once Trump would be sworn in, he would then provide a sweeping approval for a significant group to access classified information.
This approach marks a significant diversion from the customary process adopted in the United States, which has traditionally relied on the FBI to conduct thorough background investigations on potential high-level appointees.
Critics’ Warning
Experts have expressed concern about this new scheme. National security attorney Bradley Moss, for example, seems resigned to this becoming a reality, commenting that it was inevitable. Critics warn that the proposal, though innovative, might pave the way for unsuitable candidates to access sensitive information, consequently posing a risk to national security.
An Unconfirmed Plan
It’s important to note that, for now, this remains an unconfirmed plan recently identified in an internal memo. No formal declaration has been made from Trump or his closest advisors on the adoption of this strategy. Therefore, whether this memo results in a new approach to appointee vetting and security clearance within Trump’s potential future administration remains to be seen.
Final Thoughts
If the plan disclosed in the memo comes to fruition, it may reshape security clearance procedures in ways beyond precedent. The policy, designed to facilitate the swift installation of Trump loyalists, raises a number of doubts and questions surrounding the future of national security management in White House roles. All eyes are now on Trump and his team, as both the nation and the world wait to see how these developments unfold.