**GOP Senator Downplays Need for FBI Vetting of Trump’s Cabinet Nominees**

In a recent interview, Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) downplayed the necessity of FBI background checks for President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees, asserting that the American public is more concerned with the implementation of Trump's policy platforms than with background vetting. Speaking with ABC’s Jonathan Karl on "This Week," Hagerty emphasized the urgency of enacting Trump's policies and strengthening the military, suggesting that the identity of those conducting background checks is irrelevant to the public.

"We need to get to work again," Hagerty insisted, emphasizing the importance of bolstering military strength. He claimed that voters are primarily interested in seeing the policies they supported during the election come to fruition, rather than focusing on who is responsible for vetting the president-elect’s cabinet picks.

Hagerty proceeded to criticize multiple officials from the Biden administration, specifically Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, arguing that their perceived failings necessitate an expedited transition to Trump’s new team. He suggested that urgency might justify bypassing standard FBI background checks.

When pressed by Karl on the significance of FBI background checks, Hagerty appeared dismissive of the long-standing practice. "Certainly, I've been through it myself," he said, downplaying any potential concerns.

Notably, many of Trump's cabinet choices, including controversial figures like Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, have reportedly not undergone FBI vetting. This has alarmed some senators who believe thorough background checks are essential, particularly given the contentious nature of some nominees.

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), for example, has called for an FBI investigation into Hegseth, citing a 2017 police report alleging sexual assault. Hegseth has denied the allegations, maintaining that the encounter was consensual.

Hagerty also questioned the FBI’s qualifications for conducting these checks, alluding to a perception that the agency has become "weaponized"—a claim for which there is no evidence, but one that underscores his dismissal of standard practices.

"They need to get on with this," Hagerty concluded, stressing the need for a swift conclusion to any background checks that are conducted.