John Thune faces a delicate challenge as Senate leader-in-waiting, crossing the balance between supporting Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections and addressing the concerns of his fellow Republicans. His leadership is being tested by some controversial picks that have already raised alarms among GOP senators.
Though Trump has yet to finalize all his Cabinet picks, some of the early choices are already stirring unease, particularly Matt Gaetz for attorney general, Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, and Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence director. Additionally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was reported as a nominee for Health and Human Services secretary.
GOP senators question high-profile nominations in Trump’s Cabinet lineup
Republican senators, under Thune’s leadership, have expressed a preference for allowing Trump to fill his Cabinet as he sees fit. However, some have openly questioned certain selections, especially Gaetz. The Senate can only afford to lose three votes on the floor for a nomination to pass.
“We don’t know until we start the process,” Thune remarked about Gaetz’s confirmation chances, signaling an open-ended approach. “That’s what we intend to do with him and all other potential nominees.”
This cautious stance, however, does not signal strong approval. Thune’s task is far from easy, as he faces resistance not only from moderate Republicans like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski but also from John Cornyn, who wants to see a House Ethics report on Gaetz before deciding. Cornyn is particularly concerned due to allegations of sexual misconduct, though the Department of Justice cleared Gaetz of criminal charges.
Other nominees are facing their own challenges. Hegseth’s past remarks on women in combat have drawn criticism, Gabbard’s stance on foreign leaders like Putin and Assad has raised red flags within the intelligence community, and Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines have made some senators wary even before his official nomination.
Senate traditions often suggest that a new president’s first few nominees might serve as “sacrificial lambs”—nominees chosen to fail in order to help others succeed. However, GOP leaders are adamant that Trump’s picks are not part of such a strategy. Thune’s relationship with Trump could be strained if multiple nominees fail to pass, putting his ability to advance the president’s agenda to the test.
A GOP senator speaking on condition of anonymity noted the difficulty of Thune’s position: “He knew it was going to be hard. He knew Trump would nominate people who would be questioned.”
In 2017, the Senate faced similar challenges, when Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, Andrew Puzder, had to withdraw due to insufficient support, after allegations of misconduct surfaced. The situation now, with Thune leading the Senate, mirrors that earlier uncertainty, with even greater stakes for the success of Trump’s nominees.
Thune faces delicate task of guiding Senate through Trump’s polarizing nominees
Republicans, for the most part, have avoided opposing Trump’s nominations outright. For example, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito downplayed discussions of recess appointments, suggesting that they wouldn’t be necessary.
While some senators have deferred to Trump’s judgment, others have insisted on a thorough vetting process for each nominee. Cornyn explained the importance of this process not only to ensure qualified nominees but also to protect the president from potential surprises.
Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, emphasized his belief in giving the president the freedom to choose his people, even when there are disagreements on specific issues like foreign policy with Gabbard. He acknowledged that there would be times they differed but maintained that Trump should have the final say.
On the other hand, Collins, a frequent critic of Trump, pointed out the importance of the Senate’s role in scrutinizing nominees. She stressed that allegations against Gaetz would need to be addressed publicly before any confirmation could proceed. Murkowski, after expressing skepticism about Gaetz, opted to withhold judgment on other nominees until she consulted with her constituents.
Sen. Todd Young, who has occasionally disagreed with Trump, emphasized the need for more information before making decisions on the nominations, particularly regarding Gaetz. Others, like Jim Banks, expressed confidence in Gaetz’s abilities, choosing not to speculate on the House Ethics report until more details emerged. “I’m going to vote to confirm him,” said Banks, highlighting his belief in Gaetz’s talent and capability.
