Transition officials sign agreement after weeks-long delay as teams of investigators ready to process clearances

Summary

Trump’s transition team signed an agreement with the Justice Department to conduct background checks on nominees, enabling them to secure security clearances and access classified information ahead of the January 20 inauguration.

This step, delayed for weeks, ensures nominees undergo vetting before Senate confirmation, a standard practice emphasized by lawmakers.

The agreement also allows Trump aides to coordinate with federal agencies for a smooth transition.

Republicans are particularly focused on vetting nominees like Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence.