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By Anna Commander
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What's New
President-elect Donald Trump gave Senate Republicans a new directive on Tuesday night, saying on his social media platform Truth Social, "To all Senate Republicans: NO DEAL WITH DEMOCRATS TO FAST TRACK NOMINATIONS AT THE END OF THIS CONGRESS. I won the biggest mandate in 129 years. I will make my appointments of Very Qualified People in January when I am sworn in."
Why It Matters
Most of Trump's nominees require Senate confirmation, and some controversial Cabinet picks, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of Health and Human Services and Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, have been working behind the scenes to shore up support from lawmakers.
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Hegseth and Kennedy came under additional scrutiny after Trump's first nominee for attorney general, former Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, withdrew from consideration amid allegations of drug use and sexual misconduct.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump transition team via email Tuesday night for comment.
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What To Know
Hegseth has recently faced backlash after being accused of drinking at work by his former Fox News colleagues, The Washington Post reported. Hegseth acknowledged the accusations in part during an interview on The Megyn Kelly Show: "I've never had a drinking problem." Hegseth has also vowed not to drink if he gains Senate confirmation.
The former Fox host faces an uphill battle, most notably with Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who said she is supporting the process of vetting Hegseth but has not indicated if she is backing him yet.
Kennedy has been a longtime skeptic of vaccines and has claimed they can cause autism in children, a theory proved inaccurate by scientists.
Trump has also nominated Kash Patel to be the next FBI director and Tulsi Gabbard as national intelligence chief.
What People Are Saying
On CNN Tuesday night, U.S. Republican Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina said that Trump's nominees were "going to get confirmed."
"I think they all get confirmed, I do. I've had great meetings with them. I've asked all the tough questions. I've said, 'hey I think the Democrats are going to ask this, tell me how you're looking at these questions.' So, I'll ask Bobby Kennedy some tough questions tomorrow," Budd said, mentioning he plans to ask RFK Jr. about agriculture.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, "I believe that it's appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. Senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump's nominees. That's why I met with Elise Stefanik and Pete Hegseth, just wrapped with Tulsi Gabbard, and look forward to my meetings with others soon."
Fetterman added, "My votes will come from an open-mind and an informed opinion after having a conversation with them. That's not controversial, it's my job."
Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas on Tuesday joked during a CNBC appearance that Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota was going to vote for all of Trump's nominees. Klobuchar laughed and responded, "stop it." She added: "The last time, I voted for half his nominees on the Cabinet because I carefully reviewed each one and made decisions. And I just don't think you should give a president a blank slate with blank power when in fact we (senators) are supposed to have advise and consent and have an oath that we take ourselves to protect the Constitution."
What Happens Next
Nominees continue to meet with senators this week as Trump's Inauguration Day is January 20 at the U.S. Capitol.
Update 12/17/24, 11:03 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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