Trump’s Cabinet Picks Face Senate Hearings: Full Schedule Inside/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senate hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees begin this week, with a packed schedule featuring key roles such as Secretary of State, Attorney General, and CIA Director. The hearings will scrutinize high-profile picks like Pam Bondi and Marco Rubio. Some nominees, including Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are still awaiting scheduling.
Trump’s Cabinet Nominees: Senate Hearing Quick Looks
- Tuesday: Doug Collins (Veterans Affairs), Pete Hegseth (Defense), Doug Burgum (Interior).
- Wednesday: Kristi Noem (Homeland Security), Pam Bondi (Justice), Marco Rubio (State).
- Thursday: Scott Turner (HUD), Lee Zeldin (EPA), Scott Bessent (Treasury).
- Key Concerns: Allegations against nominees, political balance, and policy direction.
- Pending Hearings: Labor, Health, and other major posts yet to be scheduled.
Trump’s Cabinet Picks Face Senate Hearings: Full Schedule Inside
Deep Look:
With President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fast approaching, the Senate is gearing up for a packed week of hearings to confirm his Cabinet picks. These hearings will serve as an early test for Trump’s leadership and his ability to rally support for his administration’s vision. The nominees, many of whom are Trump loyalists, will face rigorous questioning about their qualifications, policies, and potential controversies.
Tuesday: A Trio of Key Nominees
- Doug Collins (Veterans Affairs): Former Georgia congressman Doug Collins will kick off the hearings at 9 a.m. before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. A former U.S. Navy chaplain and Air Force Reserve colonel, Collins is slated to lead an agency responsible for providing healthcare to U.S. veterans.
- Pete Hegseth (Defense): At 9:30 a.m., Hegseth, a combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” host, will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee. While his military background adds credibility, questions about alleged personal misconduct may dominate the discussion.
- Doug Burgum (Interior): Former North Dakota governor and businessman Doug Burgum faces the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee at 10 a.m. If confirmed, Burgum will oversee U.S. public lands and lead Trump’s push for global “energy dominance.”
Wednesday: High-Profile Appointments
- Kristi Noem (Homeland Security): The South Dakota governor is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. before the Homeland Security Committee. Known for her tough stance on immigration, Noem is expected to face questions about border security and deportation policies.
- Pam Bondi (Justice): Trump’s attorney general nominee will testify at 9:30 a.m. Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, is a close Trump ally. Her hearing will likely focus on concerns about maintaining the Justice Department’s independence under Trump’s leadership.
- Marco Rubio (State): At 10 a.m., the Florida senator, tapped to be Secretary of State, will face the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Rubio will outline his approach to foreign diplomacy amidst heightened global tensions.
Thursday: Wrapping Up the Week
- Scott Turner (HUD): Former NFL player Scott Turner, appearing before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee at 10 a.m., will address issues like affordable housing and fair housing enforcement.
- Lee Zeldin (EPA): At 10 a.m., Zeldin, a former New York congressman, will answer questions from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. His leadership of the EPA could mark a significant shift in environmental policy.
- Scott Bessent (Treasury): Billionaire Scott Bessent, appearing at 10:30 a.m., would become the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member confirmed in a Republican administration. His focus will include tax policy and managing public debt.
Unscheduled Hearings: A Look Ahead
Several nominees, including Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Health and Human Services), and Linda McMahon (Education), have not yet been scheduled. These positions are expected to spark contentious debate due to their nominees’ track records and policy positions.
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