Washington — Most of President-Elect Donald Trump cabinet picks will undergo Senate confirmation hearings, and there a number of people to watch for.
Since their pick by Donald Trump, the cabinet picks have been undergoing intense preparations in expectation to be grilled by democratic and republican senators.
Pete Hegseth:
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense and former Fox News Host is the first to watch. He will go before the Senate Armed Services Committee as many have question how his background relates to the role.
Hegseth is a former member of the Army National Guard and before being picked for Defense Sec. hosted the Fox News morning show, “Fox and Friends.” Ever since being picked, sexual misconduct allegations have come about.
The former National Guardsman also once said that women don’t belong in combat, something Sen. Jone Ernst (R-IA), an Iraq War combat veteran, plans to question Hegseth on. Her support and the support of many other put Hegseth’s nomination in question.
Pam Bondi:
Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for Attorney General and former Florida Attorney General will go in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. CT.
Bondi’s nomination came after Trump’s first pick Rep. Matt Gaetz decided to decline the nomination following intense backlash and facing questions about a federal sex trafficking investigation. Thant investigation alleged Gaetz of paying or sex, including one time with a 17-year-old.
Democrats are skeptical of Bondi’s nomination as they have expressed concern of Donald Trump forcing those in the Justice Department to do as he asks. Even though republicans control the Senate, it will be a nomination to keep your eyes on.
Tulsi Gabbard:
Tusli Gabbard, Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence and veteran, is expected to undergo intense questioning. But the date she will undergo a Senate confirmation hearing remains unclear, something common among many key cabinet picks to watch.
Gabbard was once apart of the Democratic Party, but left in 2022 and endorsed Trump in 2024. She once ran for president in 2020 on the U.S. being involved in foreign military conflicts. Gabbard has since called the Democratic Party, “elitist cabal of warmongers” and “woke.”
Many have questioned Gabbard’s background as she is a Army National Guard veteran but has not often been put in roles involving national security and intelligence. Many are comparing her to former directors and her background to them, which lacks what others have. Gabbard will be another to watch if she gets a hearing.
Kash Patel:
Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s pick for FBI Director, has shared many views with Trump and the “deep state” which refers to government bureaucracy. All eyes will be on Patel as he has still not had a confirmation hearing scheduled.
Patel has face scrutiny for past comments made, and democrats claim he will radicalize the FBI. He has said and alluded to upending the FBI, and limiting its authority.
On the “Shawn Ryan Show,” Patel exclaimed that he would close FBI Headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue and open it the next day, and call it a “museum of deep state.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Health and Human Services Department and former presidential hopeful, will be another person to watch. RFK Jr. has not had his hearing scheduled yet.
RFK Jr. has been in the spotlight since his presidential run for his view on vaccines. He has claimed that he has not said to not get vaccines, while his opinion on not getting a vaccine is clear. Trump pick for Sec. of HHS has also claimed HIV causes AIDS and suggested antidepressants lead to school shootings.
That’s a look at a number of picks from Donald Trump that have sparked controversy and will be key to keep your eye on.