Over the past few weeks, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm four of Trump’s most contentious cabinet nominees. Each nominee underwent an intense confirmation hearing that was broadcast nationally. Elected officials asked pressing questions about their credibility to serve in the role they were chosen to lead.
There was looming doubt over which nominees would be confirmed and who would come up short in their Senate confirmation vote. Pete Hegseth, who was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Defense, faced a tie-breaking vote with three Republicans voting against his confirmation in a 53-seat majority.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was selected to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and was scrutinized for previous comments about potential side effects of certain vaccines. Mitch McConnell, a survivor of polio, was the lone Republican to vote against his confirmation. He also voted against Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence.
Kash Patel was chosen by the president to replace the recently resigned Christopher Wray as the director of the FBI. Questions arose about his association with extremist organizations and his involvement with Trump’s decision to pardon Jan. 6 defendants. Patel responded, “I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement,” in counter to a line of interrogation by senators who were pressing for clarity on his position.
Christopher Matthews, a lobbyist for Capitol Counsel, explained why he expected each nominee to be confirmed despite initial opposition.
“When it comes down to it, most senators who are members of the same party as the president are going to comply with what he wants. Since they see his electoral win as a privilege from the American people to fill these vacancies with officials of his choosing, they want their role as an official who represents them to reflect their will.” – Christopher Matthews, Capitol Counsel Lobbyist
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are often seen as the most uncertain when it comes to falling in line with Donald Trump’s picks. Both of them voted against Kash Patel in a vote that finished 51-49. Collins spoke to the media following the consequential vote, citing her concern with Patel’s “aggressive political activity” as a reason for her dissent.
President Donald Trump appointed conservative political commentator Dan Bongino as Patel’s deputy on Feb. 23. He served in the NYPD from 1995 to 1999 before joining the United States Secret Service.
