Vetting for Cabinet nominees happens in secret

In the United States, the vetting process for presidential nominees is described as elaborate and thorough, often leading to the resurfacing of potentially damaging personal information. Rob Kelner, an attorney at Covington and Burling, highlighted that this process thoroughly scrutinizes not only the nominees themselves but also their family members, digging into their histories, including any prior arrests or obscure issues. Kelner warns that nominees must carefully consider the implications of the process, as it can reveal embarrassing details that may have long been forgotten. While there has been a shift in how nominees are presented, especially under President Trump's administration, where appointments are often announced without full vetting completed, this can create challenges for both the nominees and the presidency. The relationship between party majority in the Senate and the appointment process can result in different outcomes regarding the scrutiny applied to nominees, with Republican senators likely to exercise caution to maintain their institutional privileges. As of today, the process remains burdensome, affecting the timely filling of political positions in the administration.