Raskin presses Trump transition on FBI vetting, Epshteyn
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Rep. Jamie Raskin at a hearing in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 19, 2024. Photo:
House Oversight Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is pressing the Trump transition team for information on its vetting of administration appointees, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The letter homes in on allegations that Trump aide Boris Epshteyn sought payments from people pursuing appointments in exchange for favorable treatment.
- Epshteyn has denied the allegations.
- The Trump transition team reached an agreement with the Justice Department earlier this month to allow background checks for the president-elect's nominees.
- But the deal left unclear whether nominees can opt out of background checks, Axios' Sareen Habeshian reported.
What he's saying: In a letter to Trump transition co-chairs Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, Raskin requested "clear assurance" that all nominees will be subject to an FBI background check before they are considered by the Senate or receive classified information.
- Raskin pointed to reporting indicating that some Trump nominees are opposed to undergoing background checks and that the transition is waiting to take control of the FBI before allowing it to conduct them.
- "Several of the nominees announced so far appear to have significant ties to U.S. adversaries, be vulnerable to blackmail or other forms of coercion, or lack even the most basic [national security] credentials," he wrote.
- A Trump transition spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Zoom in: Raskin also cited reporting on allegations that Epshteyn, a close Trump confidante, asked potential nominees for monthly consulting fees and other financial favors in exchange for his advocacy.
- "This is precisely the type of permissive environment in which individuals with undisclosed and unvetted security vulnerabilities can engage in nefarious conduct that could risk American security," he wrote.
- Raskin also warned against using private companies to conduct background checks, arguing that "the many shortcomings ... are plain."
What's next: Raskin is asking the transition team to turn over "all contracts and agreements" they have with private companies involved in vetting.
- He is also seeking all documents related to Epshteyn and "any other figures in the transition who have been investigated for any type of improper conduct."
- As the leader of the minority party on the panel, Raskin lacks the ability to issue subpoenas to compel the transition team to turn over documents or provide testimony.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
