Photo Courtesy of AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet is quickly taking shape, with his nominees moving through confirmation hearings despite Democratic opposition.
Among them is Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, whose nomination appeared to be on shaky ground just weeks ago. However, after a tense Senate hearing that focused on his past drinking, views on women in combat, and lack of high-profile management experience, Hegseth now seems likely to be confirmed.
On Wednesday, other Trump nominees also passed through a series of confirmation hearings, buoyed by Republican support in the Senate. Some of them, like potential FBI director Kash Patel, even made appearances at private Senate GOP lunches to gain further backing.
“These nominees are bold choices,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the Senate GOP whip. “The Senate will start voting on them on Inauguration Day, January 20.”
The Long Road Ahead for Some Nominees
Not all of Trump’s nominees have been subject to public scrutiny yet. Controversial picks like Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have yet to face questioning from senators. Once they do, they will likely face a prolonged confirmation battle, with some senators already voicing concerns.
In a letter to Republican senators on Wednesday, a group led by former Vice President Mike Pence expressed concerns about Kennedy’s views on abortion and urged the Senate to reject him for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Yet, Hegseth’s journey stands as a striking example of the incoming administration’s ability to overcome resistance. With strong backing from Trump allies, including billionaire Elon Musk, Hegseth’s confirmation momentum has surged. Trump ally Charlie Kirk tweeted, “If any Senate GOP votes against confirming Pete Hegseth after his stellar performance today, there will be a primary challenge waiting for you. You can take that to the bank.”
Momentum for Hegseth and Others
The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to vote on Hegseth’s nomination Monday, sending it to the full Senate, where confirmation could come later that week.
Key support came from GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who initially had concerns about Hegseth but ultimately backed him. Her shift, however, has been met with political pushback.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) dismissed the criticism of Hegseth, stating that the “image of a warrior with dust on his boots who’s actually done the things” outweighs the negative narratives.
As the confirmation process continues, multiple Trump nominees appeared before Senate committees Wednesday. Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, was grilled by Democrats over her stance on the 2020 election and her ability to stand up to presidential pardons for those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
“You say the right things, that you’re going to be the ‘people’s lawyer,’” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), “but you dodged the question on Trump’s election loss and failed to address whether you would oppose pardoning January 6 insurrectionists.”
Bondi responded, “I don’t have to say anything. I will answer questions honestly to the best of my ability.”
Other nominees, like Russ Vought, tapped to lead the White House Office of Management and Budget, faced questioning about their stance on funding for Ukraine, with Vought committing to “upholding the law.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s Energy nominee, Chris Wright, was confronted by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) over his past comments about wildfires being “just hype.” Despite this, Wright doubled down on his belief that climate change is real, though Padilla cut him off before he could elaborate.
Senate Votes Expected After Inauguration
Following Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that the confirmation process will move swiftly. The president-elect is expected to formally submit his Cabinet picks on the same day, beginning the official process.
First in line could be Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Trump’s pick for Secretary of State. Rubio, a former rival to Trump in the 2016 GOP primary, laid out an “America First” foreign policy agenda during his confirmation hearing. As a prominent senator, he is expected to gain broad support, with his confirmation vote potentially happening as early as Monday evening.
Other nominees, including Hegseth, may face a tougher path. While Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate, they are down to 52 votes following Vice President-elect JD Vance’s resignation last week. This means Trump will need nearly unanimous support from GOP senators for his nominees to clear confirmation amid Democratic opposition.
Democrats Prepare for Procedural Challenges
Democrats, though in the minority, are expected to use procedural hurdles to slow down the confirmation process, forcing nominees like Hegseth to face multiple rounds of questioning. As a result, consideration of some nominees could stretch into the latter part of next week.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged that while Democrats may struggle to prevent Trump from assembling his team, it’s crucial to record the hearings and hold Republicans accountable.
“It’s important to have a record of these nominees,” Schumer said Wednesday, acknowledging that despite procedural setbacks, the GOP will likely confirm Trump’s choices in the end.
