A heated exchange between ABC News host Jonathan Karl and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) occurred when discussing background checks for potential Trump administration appointees, particularly focusing on Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s possible nomination for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
During ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, November 24, 2024, Karl questioned Hagerty about reports that Trump’s team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for potential cabinet members.
Hagerty stated that Americans are indifferent to who conducts background checks for presidential nominees when questioned about the FBI’s involvement in vetting former Fox News host Pete Hegseth.
Addressing the standard practice of FBI background checks for presidential Cabinet nominees, Hagerty explained to Karl that Americans prioritize Trump fulfilling the “mandate” they voted for over the specific entity conducting the background investigation. He emphasized that the public is more concerned with seeing their electoral mandate implemented than with the details of the vetting process.
”President Trump will fire people that don’t do their job well. I fully expect everybody coming into the Cabinet will listen to President Trump. They’ll let him set the policy, and they’ll execute according to that plan,” Hagerty added.
The exchange highlighted growing concerns about the vetting process for potential Trump administration appointees. Traditionally, nominees for cabinet positions undergo extensive FBI background checks before Senate confirmation hearings begin. These checks typically examine financial records, personal history, and potential conflicts of interest.
Hegseth, currently a Fox News host, is reportedly being considered for the position of Secretary of Defense in a second Trump administration. He previously served in the Army National Guard and has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s policies.
In response to concerns over the vetting process for presidential appointees, Democratic Representatives Don Beyer of Virginia and Ted Lieu of California have introduced legislation to formalize the FBI’s role as the sole agency responsible for conducting background checks on political appointees. This initiative aims to ensure comprehensive and standardized evaluations of nominees, addressing apprehensions about the adequacy of internal vetting procedures.
The discussion occurred amid broader conversations about Trump’s preparations for his return to the White House, including his plans for staffing key positions and implementing various policy initiatives.