Raskin requests information on Trump team background checks

Top House Oversight Democrat Jamie Raskin is seeking information from the Trump-Vance transition team about how nominees will undergo background checks, including a “clear assurance” that an FBI background check will be performed for all Trump administration picks.

Raskin (D-Md.) sent a letter on Friday to Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, the co-chairs of the Trump-Vance transition, saying that while the transition team has “reached an agreement with the Department of Justice that makes it possible for the FBI to conduct background checks, it remains unclear whether the Transition will require nominees to submit to them.”

The Trump-Vance transition signed an agreement with the DOJ earlier this month allowing the transition team to “submit names for background checks and security clearances.” But Raskin pointed to reporting from Semafor about concerns from some nominees about undergoing a background check until the FBI has a new director, or potentially using the private sector to conduct the checks. The Trump team’s decision to initially brush off putting its nominees through FBI background checks sparked pushback from Democrats and some Senate Republicans.

“Given this muddled record, I urge you to clearly and unequivocally commit to requiring that all nominees undergo FBI background checks and submit to vetting before receiving access to classified information,” Raskin wrote in the letter.

In addition, Raskin is also requesting that the transition team hand over any contracts or agreements they have with private companies to conduct background checks or vet transition officials or individuals who will serve in the administration to the committee no later than Dec. 20.

Raskin also wants the transition team to hand over any documents related to Boris Epshteyn “and, to the extent applicable, any other figures in the transition who have been investigated for any type of improper conduct.” Senate Democrats have also requested information related to Epshteyn over allegations that he allegedly tried to profit off of advocating for potential nominees to Trump. Epshteyn has denied the allegations.