An open letter to Sen. Todd Young

Dear Sen. Young,

I am a proud citizen of Fort Wayne, Indiana, writing to express my deep concern about some of President-elect Trumpapps recent Cabinet nominations and the process surrounding them. While I respect the election results and agree that the president-elect has the right to staff his administration, it is imperative that the Senate fulfills its constitutional duty to thoroughly vet these appointments.

I am particularly troubled by two issues:

1. Circumventing FBI background checks

Reports suggest that President-elect Trump is favoring private investigations over FBI background checks to vet his appointees. This raises serious questions about the rigor and impartiality of these reviews. The credibility and trustworthiness of Cabinet members are critical for the stability and integrity of our government, and any shortcuts in this process could have far-reaching consequences.

2. Selections lacking relevant expertise

Some nominations appear to prioritize appstar powerapp and telegenic appeal over substantive qualifications. For example, the nomination of Mr. Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense is deeply concerning. While his military service is commendable, his qualifications to lead the Pentagon and its 2 million personnel fall far short of the demands of one of the most critical positions in the world. The Department of Defense deserves leadership with proven expertise in managing such a complex organization, not someone chosen for visibility or political loyalty.

Additionally, while Tulsi Gabbard may merit a hearing, her past engagements with adversarial foreign powers must be scrutinized through a thorough FBI investigation. Granting her access to sensitive national security information without proper vetting poses a significant risk that cannot be overlooked.

While I have reservations about other nominees as well, these two cases are particularly alarming. For the sake of maintaining the vital guardrails on our executive branch, I urge you to exercise the Senateapps duty to appadvise and consentapp with the utmost diligence and scrutiny.

Thank you for your attention to these matters, and for your continued service to Indiana and our nation.

Sincerely,

Erik Henry

Fort Wayne