By Steve Neavling
Key members within Donald Trump’s inner circle are developing a strategy to bypass traditional law enforcement background checks, aiming to secure top-secret clearances for political appointees immediately after the election, according to a report from The New York Times.
The Times, citing three sources, reported that a memo discussing this approach has circulated among at least six high-ranking figures close to Trump. The idea – advocating for the rapid placement of MAGA loyalists without standard FBI background checks — has reportedly gained some traction. Trump legal adviser Boris Epshteyn is said to be a major proponent of the proposal, though it’s unclear if Trump himself is aware of the plan.
During Trump’s previous administration, FBI background checks delayed the appointments of some aides, including Epshteyn and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Epshteyn, a central figure in Trump’s advisory team, was indicted earlier this year for his alleged role in a scheme involving fake electors in Arizona. He remains a close confidant, reportedly speaking with Trump multiple times a day, according to The Times.
The Times noted Epshteyn’s legal history, which includes a plea deal that nullified his conviction in a 2014 assault-touching case and a guilty plea to disorderly conduct in 2021 after accusations of groping two women. This latter conviction was also set aside last year.
The memo’s proposal reportedly suggests that the Trump team could employ private-sector companies to conduct background checks on selected appointees during the transition period, granting them access to classified information without law enforcement review. Under this plan, the privately conducted checks would remain within the White House and would not be shared with law enforcement agencies.
When asked about the memo, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung did not directly address it. Instead, he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, accusing them of using “the Department of Justice to attack President Trump and his supporters.” He added that Trump intends to exercise “the full powers of the presidency” to ensure his political appointments if he returns to office.
