President-elect Donald Trump is testing the limits of Senate Republican loyalty with some of his picks for top posts in his upcoming administration.
Assuming Democrats unite in opposition to most of his nominees, Mr. Trump will need at least 50 of the 53 Republicans who will serve in the Senate next Congress to vote to confirm his picks. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance would be able to cast a 51st tiebreaking vote if necessary.
Senate Republicans are mostly pleased with Mr. Trump’s choices, but a few unconventional picks have raised questions that could turn into opposition. That includes Mr. Trump’s selection of Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence.
Will Senate Republicans fall in line behind those and other Trump picks? Many have indicated they will, but there are at least six GOP senators to watch as the confirmation proceedings unfold.
Sen. Susan M. Collins of Maine
Sen. Susan M. Collins, one of the most moderate GOP senators, did not vote for Mr. Trump in the presidential election and has a record of bucking her party when it serves her personal politics or constituents. She was among seven Republicans in 2021 who voted to convict Mr. Trump during his second impeachment trial on charges that he incited the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
As Ms. Collins plans to run for another term in 2026, she will again be one of Senate Democrats’ top targets. That means every vote she casts over the next two years will be closely scrutinized, including those on Mr. Trump’s nominees. --->READ MORE HERE
Donald Trump could appoint ‘temporary’ leaders for major agencies without Senate approval - but one GOP senator has urged potential objectors to get on board before that happens
A Republican senator has warned his colleagues must “step up” to appoint Donald Trump’s cabinet picks or face recess appointments.
Bill Hagerty of Tennessee was on ABC’s This Week that the idea of recess appointments “is and should be on the table”, adding that previous presidents in modern history including Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had utilized the constitutional clause allowing appointments when the Senate is not in session.
The process would likely set up court battles and fray Trump’s relationship with GOP leaders — all while allowing him to confirm controversial choices despite concerns.
“This is a constitutionally available tool,” Hagerty told Jon Karl. “What we want to see is the Democrats co-operate with us. But if the resistance movement gets as heavy as it was... I’ve been through the confirmation process myself. I turned in my paperwork on the 21st of January, I didn’t get confirmed until July.”
But when Karl pointed out that Republican votes were the issue, and asked if the president-elect would use recess appointments to force through major positions, Hagerty reiterated his point with a message to other GOP senators.
“What he [Trump] wants to do is see these appointments made quickly,” Hagerty replied. “I think everything should be on the table. I think if my colleagues understand that they will know they need to step up and move expeditiously to get these cabinet members confirmed.”
The concept of recess appointments is a controversial one, and comes with restrictions: the appointments are temporary, and only last until the end of the applicable calendar year. They would also require the Senate to not be in session — something that members of the upper chamber of Congress could resist. The Senate has never triggered a recess simply for the purpose of allowing a president to make such appointments. --->READ MORE HEREFollow link below to a relevant story:
+++++Trump team warns Republicans to support Cabinet picks or face primary funded by Musk+++++
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