Trump’s Cabinet Senate Confirmation Hearings—Here’s What To Know As Nominees Face Scrutiny

13 Jan 2025 by Sara Dorn · Forbes

Topline

Senators will question some of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees this week—including several controversial picks expected to face scrutiny—in hearings starting Tuesday that mark the beginning of the process to formally fill Trump’s administration.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, and his wife Jennifer ... [+] Rauchet arrive for a meeting at the Hart Senate Office Building on January 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)Getty Images

Key Facts

A total of 11 Senate committees will hold hearings for 13 of Trump’s cabinet nominees this week, starting Tuesday with Trump’s nominee for Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Doug Collins, who will appear before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Tuesday.

Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and Interior Secretary nominee Doug Burgum will also appear before the relevant Senate committees Tuesday.

Hegseth’s hearing is expected to be one of the most controversial as he’s faced allegations of sexual misconduct and concerning drinking habits.

Other nominees on the schedule this week include Trump’s pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi; Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio; and CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe.

Democrats are expected to grill Hegseth and other controversial Trump nominees, potentially leading to some explosive moments, while Republicans’ behavior toward his picks are seen as a test of loyalty to Trump and one of the first signs of how cohesively the GOP will work to enact his agenda.

The cabinet picks will play key roles in reshaping the administration according to Trump’s priorities, including his hardline immigration policies, lower taxes and higher tariffs, and the possibility he could blur the lines of independence between the Justice Department and the executive branch.

What To Know About Trump’s Nominees

Trump has made hundreds of announcements debuting his picks for cabinet positions, including some that don’t require Senate approval, since winning the election. In addition to Hegseth, several have faced heavy scrutiny, including Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard for her previous dealings with foreign adversaries, and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel for his previous comments vowing to go after Trump’s political enemies and his reportedly unfettered loyalty to Trump when he worked in Trump’s first administration. Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s skepticism of vaccines has also raised concerns among some Democrats. Trump nominated Bondi, former Florida attorney general, after his initial pick to lead the Justice Department, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., bowed out of the process amid new sexual misconduct revelations related to a years-long House Ethics investigation into his conduct. No Republican senators have expressed plans to vote against any of Trump’s nominees, though some have voiced reservations, but appeared to warm to the controversial picks after a series of meetings with the nominees on Capitol Hill. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Ga., initially called the allegations against Hegseth “very disturbing,” but said “he is in pretty good shape” after meeting with Hegseth last month. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, emphasized the importance of making “sure that any allegations have been cleared” against Hegseth before the Senate confirms him, but said after meeting with him they had an “encouraging” conversation and she would “support” him through the Senate confirmation process. Trump’s nominees have been preparing for the hearings in practice sessions with Trump’s advisers and Republican allies in the Senate, CNN reported.

What Is The Full Senate Confirmation Hearing Schedule For This Week?

Tuesday

9 a.m. EST: Collins

9:30 a.m.: Hegseth

10 a.m.: Burgum

Wednesday

9 a.m.: Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem

9: 30 a.m.: Bondi

10 a.m.:

Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy

Ratcliff

Rubio

Energy Secretary, Chris Wright

1 p.m.: Office of Management and Budget Director, Russell Vought

Thursday

10 a.m.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Scott Turner

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Lee Zeldin

10:15 a.m.: Bondi

10:30 a.m.: Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent

What Is The Process For Confirming Nominees?

Once the relevant Senate committees conduct interviews with the nominees, they can make a favorable, unfavorable or no recommendation to the full Senate, which will schedule a vote on each nominee.

Are All Of Trump’s Nominees Expected To Be Confirmed?

Yes. It’s rare for the Senate to reject a nominee and only once, in 1925, has the Senate dismissed a nominee when the same party controls both the Senate and the White House. Republicans control the Senate, 53-47, and nominees are confirmed by a majority vote.

Which Nominees Are Expected To Be Confirmed First?

Rubio is widely expected to be one of the first approved, as soon as Inauguration Day next Monday. Republicans have said they want to fast-track national security nominees such as Bondi and Ratcliffe.

What We Don’t Know

When the Senate will hold confirmation hearings for other nominees, including Gabbard, Patel and Kennedy.