As President-elect Donald Trump’s administration prepares for its official start, Republican lawmakers are urging an expedited confirmation process for his Cabinet nominees. Texas Senator John Cornyn voiced strong support for Trump’s team and expressed frustration with delays, calling for the FBI to work “around the clock” to complete background checks for the nominees.

Cornyn, a staunch advocate for the President’s right to appoint his team, criticized the delays in processing background checks, particularly for key figures in the incoming administration. He emphasized that the President had earned the right to choose his appointees and that any obstruction, particularly from Democrats, would not be tolerated. The Senator stressed the need for thorough yet swift vetting, aiming for confirmations to be in place by January 20th, the day Trump takes office.

While Cornyn’s comments reflect growing impatience over delays, there is some division within Republican ranks on how crucial the FBI’s involvement in background checks is for the process. Although many senators recognize the FBI’s role in ensuring security and integrity, some, like Senate Republican Leader John Thune, have expressed that alternative vetting methods could potentially resolve any logjam.

The issue gained attention after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Justice Department to submit names for FBI vetting, though it remains unclear whether all Cabinet nominees will undergo this process. With key nominees facing mounting scrutiny, including potential confirmation fights for figures like Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel, the debate over the vetting process continues to intensify.

As Trump’s Cabinet picks meet with lawmakers, some Republican senators are calling for a balanced approach—acknowledging the need for robust background checks while maintaining the normal pace of the confirmation process. Despite the disagreement, there is consensus that the administration’s nominees should be given the opportunity for full and fair hearings.

With the clock ticking down to the inauguration, the pressure is mounting on both sides of the aisle to ensure the smooth and timely confirmation of Trump’s top Cabinet choices, but the ongoing disputes over the details of the vetting process may still cause further delays.