The United States Senate continued its scrutiny of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees for a second consecutive day, holding confirmation hearings for six individuals on Wednesday, Al Jazeera reports.
The sessions, which included prominent figures like Senator Marco Rubio, tapped for Secretary of State, and Pam Bondi, the nominee for Attorney General, come as Republican leaders aim to secure a strong start to Trump’s second term, set to begin on Monday.
While Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, controversial nominees face the challenge of securing every possible vote for their confirmation. Wednesday’s hearings followed intense proceedings the day before, when senators grilled Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, over allegations of excessive drinking and sexual assault.
Here are some key takeaways from Wednesday’s testimonies:
Rubio Vows “America First” Stance
Senator Marco Rubio, during his testimony, pledged to prioritize US interests “before anything and everything else” if appointed Secretary of State. He also took a hawkish stance on foreign policy, calling China the “biggest threat” the US faces in the 21st century. He accused China of having “repressed and lied and cheated and hacked and stolen [its] way into global superpower status.”
Rubio did, however, temper his hawkish rhetoric by praising US alliances like NATO, despite echoing Trump’s position that other NATO allies “need to contribute more to their own defence.”
Ratcliffe Promises No Political Bias at CIA
John Ratcliffe, Trump’s nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), assured lawmakers that he would not allow political considerations to influence intelligence analysis. He directly addressed concerns that he might impose a political litmus test for CIA employees.
Bondi Pressed on Political Prosecutions
Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for Attorney General, faced tough questions amid concerns that she might use her position for political aims. Bondi sought to allay those concerns, stating that “politics has to be taken out of this system” and “no one should be prosecuted for political purposes.”
However, she declined to provide definitive answers when questioned about potential investigations into figures like former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led two criminal indictments against Trump. Bondi also said she would evaluate potential pardons for those involved in the January 6th Capitol riot on a “case-by-case basis.”
Duffy Advocates “Tough Love” for Boeing
Sean Duffy, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Transportation, pledged to address safety concerns surrounding Boeing, stating that the company needed “tough love” to restore confidence. He also touched on the need for a funding mechanism for road maintenance in the age of electric vehicles.
