By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – What’s Donald Trump going to do next? He’s getting lots of attention – some positive, some negative – with his choices to be part of his new administration.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says the picks already show they could use the customary vetting.

“In the old days, the president-elect would submit that name to the FBI, and the FBI would come back in short order and say, we just checked out (secretary of state nominee U.S. Sen. Marco) Rubio (R-Fla.), and we don’t see anything major right off the bat. And then a deep dive,” said Durbin. “President-elect Trump may not submit these names to the FBI at any stage. I think that is a serious mistake,” pointing to the debacle over Matt Gaetz’ nomination to be attorney general.

On the new administration’s deportation plans, Durbin said most of the undocumented are closer to a good-natured taco vendor who contributes to the community, as opposed to dangerous criminals – who Durbin said should be deported. Durbin said he hopes the administration sees that.

Also on the other side of the aisle, the new Senate majority leader will be John Thune (R-S.D.), whom Durbin called “a good man.”

The senator took questions from reporters at an unrelated event in Springfield Monday.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].