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In a controversial move, advisers to former President Donald J. Trump are circulating a proposal suggesting that, if elected, Trump should bypass traditional background checks by law enforcement and allow private firms to handle the vetting of appointees. This would enable immediate access to classified information for a large number of his appointees without the extensive scrutiny typically conducted by the F.B.I., as reported by three individuals familiar with the memo.

Spearheading the proposal is Boris Epshteyn, a top legal adviser to Trump, who has played a significant role in its development. The proposal aims to utilize private-sector investigators during the transition period, allowing Trump to quickly confirm security clearances upon taking the oath of office, thereby installing loyalists into key positions without the delays or potential obstacles posed by traditional F.B.I. background checks.

This proposed shift in protocol has generated concern over the potential risks of granting access to classified information without thorough checks. There is a fear that bypassing the F.B.I. could lead to individuals with problematic histories or questionable foreign ties assuming influential roles in the White House. This comes in light of past clearance issues experienced by aides during Trump's previous term, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Epshteyn himself.

When questioned about this proposal, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, deflected by attacking Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, accusing them of weaponizing the Department of Justice against Trump and his supporters. He emphasized that Trump would use "the full powers of the presidency" to form his administration from day one if re-elected.

The use of private firms for background checks could minimize the risks associated with the traditional federal process, wherein lying on official applications can result in criminal charges for making false statements and potentially trigger further investigations. Under the proposed system, dossiers prepared by private investigators would apparently be reviewed solely by the White House, potentially reducing exposure to these risks.

The fate of this proposal remains uncertain as it is unclear whether Trump has reviewed it or if he would implement such a strategy if elected. However, the circulating memo marks yet another deviation from longstanding federal practices and raises significant security and ethical concerns regarding the process of vetting White House appointees.