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.
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.
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 c
