The few days leading up to President Elect Trump’s inauguration on January 20th are a stressful period for his cabinet colleagues. The Senate confirmation hearings have been set for more than a dozen prospective nominees. So, what is the process for Trump’s administration colleagues to be approved?
The first step is for nominees to visit Capitol Hill to meet the senators informally. This helps the senators to know them personally and decide on their support.
These meetings are followed by an ethics review and a background check. This includes nominees to submit documents related to their work and educational backgrounds. These are used by the FBI to conducts background checks about their personal lives, police records even drug use.
Next are the crucial confirmation hearings. Candidates are vetted by panels that oversee the agencies they hope to lead. In a public hearing, nominees first take an oath to speak truthfully, then deliver opening statements. Members of the committees from both parties have time-limited slots to ask questions.
Finally the committee votes on whether to recommend a candidate to the full Senate. Lawmakers can also debate a nominee on the Senate floor before a formal vote. Nominees need a majority of senators to be confirmed.
Trump has pushed Republican senators to approve his team members before the inauguration.
Will Trump’s controversial picks be approved before the Jan 20 inauguration?
While the Upper Chamber of Congress is now controlled by Trump’s Republican Party – just three defections could be enough to deny a nominee a job. So whether they are approved or not, depends on the final confirmation hearings which have begun.
Which Trump picks will face hearings this week?
Pete Hegseth proposed for the role of Defense Secretary. His hearing is crucial for the President-Elect. Hegseth is facing questions about his lack of management experience, his alleged heavy drinking, as well as his previous opposition to women serving in combat roles in the military.
He is also expected to face questions about a sexual assault allegation in a California hotel in 2017. However, in 2023, Hegseth and the accuser reached a confidential financial adjustment.
Another one of Trump’s choices facing a hearing this week is Kristi Noem. Her appointment will be specially significant since she is proposed to be the Homeland Security Secretary. If approved, she will be responsible for carrying out Trump’s biggest campaign promise: the mass deportation of illegal immigrants.
She is likely to face queries on how practical the deportation plan is, especially its legal and logistical challenges. She would also have to answer for Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship.
Next on this list is Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for Secretary of State. Here is the interesting part. In 2017, Rubio was on the other side of a confirmation hearing, quizzing Rex Tillerson. Notably, he had asked Tillerson whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was a war criminal.
He is now expected to be quizzed about US support to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Pam Bondi, Trump’s choice for Attorney General, is also likely to face questions about Trump’s threats of retribution against his political opponents.
Which are Trump’s other controversial picks?
One of Trump’s most controversial picks Kash Patel, proposed to be FBI director. Doubts regarding Patel’s ability to run the agency have been in the news for some time now. Others also believe that he may use his power to exact revenge from Trump’s opponents.
Robert F Kennedy Jr has been chosen for the post of Health and Human Services Secretary. His approval might run into trouble since he has no medical qualifications. He has previously made controversial statements about the efficacy of vaccines.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s choice for national intelligence director, has been known to ruffle some feathers with her comments. She could be questioned about her past comments on American adversaries such as Russia and Syria. It has been reported that Democrats are delaying her hearing until background checks are complete.
