Donald Trump’s cabinet confirmation hearings have been dubbed a “train wreck” before they even begin—and it’s not hard to see why.
With 14 nominees due to face questioning in the Senate this week alone, Capitol Hill is set to overflow with intrigue and theatre just days before the President-elect’s inauguration.
The candidates include individuals accused of controversial affiliations, vaccine sceptics, and public figures with limited relevant experience.
The public hearings, followed by a Senate vote for each nominee, will test Republican loyalty to Trump while providing Democrats with an opportunity to challenge the President-elect’s choices.
Adding to the drama, Republicans hold a slim three-seat majority in the Senate, leaving little room for dissent within their ranks.
Among the most controversial nominees is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his criticism of vaccines, who is reportedly under consideration to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. This role would include oversight of vaccine programs, an ironic choice given Kennedy’s history of spreading vaccine-related misinformation.
Trump’s pick for head of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP)Tulsi Gabbard, a former Congresswoman who met with Syrian President Bashar Assad and once referred to him as “not the enemy,” is being considered for Director of National Intelligence. Her controversial foreign policy stances have raised concerns among lawmakers.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, a television personality and physician, has been tapped to oversee Medicare and Medicaid, two of the largest state-run health programmes in the United States. Critics have questioned his qualifications for such a significant role.
One of the first nominees to face the Senate is Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense. A National Guard veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth is seeking control of an $800 billion annual budget, three million military personnel, and America’s nuclear arsenal.
Trump’s defense pick Pete Hegseth was well-known in American conservative circles as co-host of Fox News’s ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ show (Photo: James Devaney/GC Images)Yet, he has no executive experience, has faced numerous claims of sexual assault, and has said that women should not be allowed to serve in the military.
However, Hegseth’s lack of executive experience and personal controversies have drawn criticism. He has faced allegations of sexual assault, infidelity, and heavy drinking—prompting him to pledge sobriety if confirmed. Additionally, Hegseth has voiced opposition to women serving in the military, a stance that has sparked significant backlash.
Incredibly, Hegseth isn’t even the most controversial candidate—that distinction likely belongs to Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to be director of the FBI.
Patel is a firebrand MAGA operative whom Trump appears to have chosen to enact his planned “retribution” on his political enemies.
More than anyone else, Patel seems intent on dismantling the office for which he has been nominated.
In a memoir released last year, Patel listed 60 people he claimed were part of the “deep state” and said he wants to identify “conspirators” in government and the media.
Donald Trump’s choice to be director of the FBI loyalist Kash Patel. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)Under Patel’s leadership, the FBI could also shut down its headquarters in Washington.
The hearings kick off on Tuesday with Hegseth and two others, followed by Florida Senator Marco Rubio on Wednesday for Secretary of State.
Rubio is expected to win confirmation easily, but his appointment marks a stunning turnaround for a former presidential rival to Trump, whom the President-elect belittled as “Little Marco.”
Also on Wednesday, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, nominated as Attorney General, will face questioning. Bondi’s selection follows the withdrawal of Trump’s initial nominee, Matt Gaetz, after a House ethics report alleged misconduct, including inappropriate relationships and participation in illicit activities.
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Read MoreThe upcoming hearings for Gabbard, Kennedy, and Oz promise to be equally contentious. Gabbard will likely face intense scrutiny for her comments on Russian propaganda during the Ukraine war, which many Democrats view as alarming for someone vying for access to national intelligence.
Kennedy will be questioned about his vaccine stance and the opposition from medical professionals. Several groups, including prominent doctors, have labeled his potential appointment a “public health emergency,” citing concerns about increased vaccine hesitancy and the potential resurgence of preventable diseases like measles.
Despite the expected fireworks during these hearings, Trump’s influence over the Republican Party remains decisive. With his strong electoral victory and firm control over party leadership, most of his nominees are likely to be confirmed.
If successful, Trump’s cabinet will consist of loyalists aligned with his “Make America Great Again” agenda. For the first time, his inner circle will operate without the so-called “adults in the room” to temper his decisions, leaving little doubt about who will steer his administration’s course.
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