Despite initial expectations that they would struggle to pass through a GOP-controlled Senate, President Donald Trump‘s two former democratic Democrat Cabinet picks were confirmed this week with little Democratic opposition.
Despite the fact that neither candidate was able to receive even one vote from their original party, that demonstrated how confident Senate Republican leaders were in the outcome. Republicans hold a good, but not overpowering, 53-47 majority in the middle room.
On the Democratic side, just Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the lifelong GOP ground head, voted against them.
It is yet another indication that Trump has redefined the Republican Party as its unquestioned head.
On the specific problems that would be their portfolio if confirmed, some Republicans had expressed doubts about Gabbard and Kennedy. But hardline Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC ) quickly came around on the relatively dovish Gabbard. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who had previously held liberal views on abortion, was assured that Kennedy would not run the Department of Health and Human Services despite the fact that Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA ) had a shorter time to follow.
A traditional party working with former Vice President Mike Pence, who served under Trump’s first administration, attempted to unite Republicans against Kennedy. Republicans once had a very simple task to rally against Kennedys, but Pence this moment managed to get hardly any supporters.
Gabbard served as the Democratic National Committee’s vice president in the 2016 presidential election after being elected as a Democrat congresswoman from Hawaii. In 2020, Gambard aspired to be the Democratic presidential nominee herself.
Kennedy is a devoted follower of Camelot and a long-standing liberal advocate. His dad was Robert F. Kennedy, a 1968 member for the Democratic presidential election, New York legislator, and attorney general in his brother’s management. Former President John F. Kennedy was Kennedy Jr.’s aunt. Prior to launching a short-lived separate election, the younger Kennedy had originally planned to issue then-President Joe Biden for candidacy in the Democratic elections in 2024. Kennedy Jr. remained on some express votes after dropping out and supporting Trump, obtaining more than 756, 000 seats, and placing a distant third place nationwide.
Trump won the popular vote for the first time in three campaigns, beating former vice president Kamala Harris, thanks to their crossing help. Some believed that the parties had traded Kennedy and Gabbard for past Exercises. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.  ,
Without these crossing votes, however, many Republican senators can be elected from secure red states. When Trump supporters threatened to major them if they blocked his less regular nominations, not all of them will get up for reelection next month. Some will surpass Trump, who cannot get reelection in 2028 under the 22nd Amendment.
Republicans still appear to be inclined to give Trump the Cabinet he needs, specially now that the leader has gotten off to a better start than he did eight years ago. Two controversial Cabinet-level nominees remain: Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director who cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR ), who has been selected for labor secretary.
The union-friendly Chavez-DeRemer may actually experience major Republican criticism. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), for instance, is never a lover. Or that might become sour if she is unable to garner the projected amount of Democratic support because Senate Democrats lack the desire to do Trump any favors.
Like Kennedy and Gabbard, Chavez-DeRemer’s election reflects changes in the Democratic partnership under Trump. As the group has done better with working-class citizens, Trump and Vance have sought to make gains with unions. The first-term Trump Labor Department was generally run by action conservatives.
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Thus far, only Trump’s election of past Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida for attorney general has proved to be a nonstarter. In addition to private scandals, queries about his experience, and some controversial relationships with many of his colleagues on Capitol Hill, Gaetz has had contested relationships with them all. Before Trump took office, the Gaetz election was removed next year. Pam Bondi, the solicitor general, was quickly confirmed.
One of Trump’s most contentious employees, Elon Musk, was one of his most contented employees, but he did not need Senate confirmation to lead the Department of Government Effectiveness.  ,
