President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominations face uncertainty as their confirmation relies on support from key Republican senators in the Senate. While Trump has the power to appoint Cabinet members, Congress has the final say in confirming these selections. The GOP will hold the majority in the next Congress, but Senate confirmation could hinge on a few Republicans who have expressed reservations about Trump’s appointees.
Senator Mitch McConnell, a longtime Republican Senate leader, has had a contentious relationship with Trump. In a recent book, McConnell referred to Trump as “stupid,” “erratic,” and a “narcissist.” Despite these criticisms, McConnell has indicated that they are on the same team now. Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska has expressed skepticism about the nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, stating that a serious attorney general is needed. She also expressed surprise at the nomination of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine was shocked by Gaetz’s nomination, citing his ongoing ethics investigation in the House as a concern. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who has sparred with Gaetz in the past, emphasized the importance of nominees passing the Senate’s vetting process. He suggested that Gaetz’s confirmation was not guaranteed and stressed the need for a defensible resume and clean vetting.
Senator Todd Young of Indiana, who did not publicly support Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, could play a critical role in cabinet confirmations. Young has expressed concerns about Trump’s judgment on issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war. Additionally, Senator-elect John Curtis from Utah believes the Senate should have the final say on Trump’s nominees, emphasizing the critical role of the Senate in confirming or rejecting nominations.
Other senators, such as Joni Ernst from Iowa and Kevin Cramer from North Dakota, have expressed uncertainty about Gaetz’s chances of confirmation. Ernst believes Gaetz faces an “uphill climb,” while Cramer commented that all nominees except Gaetz are likely to be confirmed. The confirmation process for Trump’s cabinet nominations remains uncertain, with key Republicans in the Senate expressing reservations about certain appointees. Ultimately, the fate of these nominations will depend on how these senators vote during the confirmation process.
