Key findings Trump’s nominees to face US Senate confirmation hearings | donald trump news

For the second consecutive day, the United States Senate has evaluated candidates for key positions in President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet, questioning the candidates about their backgrounds and qualifications.

Wednesday was a busy day for the Senate, as it held hearings for six of Trump’s nominees, including heavy-hitting contenders like Senators Marco Rubio — his pick to be secretary of state — and the pick for the attorney general seat. Pam Bondi.

This hearing is taking place at a time when Republican leaders in Congress are hopeful that Trump will get a strong start to his second term, which begins on Monday.

High-level Cabinet positions require Senate approval, and Republicans hold 53 seats to the Democrats’ 45.

Nevertheless, controversial candidates will need every possible vote to succeed in their appointment. For example, there was acrimonious proceedings a day before Wednesday’s hearing, as senators pressed Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, over allegations of binge drinking and sexual harassment.

Here are some of the key takeaways from Wednesday’s testimony before the Senate.

Rubio showed aggressive attitude

During his testimony, Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida, promised to put American interests “before anything and everything” if appointed as secretary of state.

Rubio also made his remarks as a supporter of foreign policy, calling China the “greatest threat” to the United States in the 21st century.

“If we don’t change course, we will live in a world where so much that matters to us on a daily basis — from our security to our health — will depend on whether the Chinese allow us to do so,” Rubio. Said.

He said China “oppressed, lied, cheated, hacked and stole its way to becoming a global superpower.”

Wednesday’s comments were in line with Rubio’s track record of taking an adversarial approach toward perceived American rivals.

Nevertheless, he praised US alliances such as NATO, which themselves offer a counter to Trump’s more aggressive posture.

“The NATO alliance is a very important alliance. I believe so,” he said.

“Without the NATO alliance, there is no end to the Cold War. “Indeed, without the NATO alliance, it is quite possible that much of what we know today as Europe would have fallen victim to aggression.”

But he reiterated Trump’s position that other NATO allies “need to contribute more to their defense” and rely less on US support.

Ratcliffe promises no political bias

In a separate hearing, John Ratcliffe, Trump’s pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), assured lawmakers that he would not torture members of the intelligence community for insufficient loyalty to Trump.

Ratcliffe said of his objectives as CIA director, “We will produce pragmatic, objective, all-source analysis, never allowing political or personal biases to overshadow our judgment or influence our products. “

A former federal prosecutor, Ratcliffe previously served as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021.

Like Rubio, Ratcliffe is also expected to go through the confirmation process. But senators expressed concern that Trump’s picks for high-ranking law enforcement roles might seek to use their powers for political purposes.

Ratcliffe previously pledged to “clean up our national security and intelligence system of corrupt actors.”

On Wednesday he faced a direct question about whether the process would exclude employees based on political preference.

“Will you or any of your staff apply a political litmus test to CIA employees?” Senator Angus King asked.

“No,” Ratcliffe replied. He stressed that firing personnel for their views is “something I would never do”.

Bondi Smith kept avoiding investigation questions

Trump’s pick for attorney general is expected to be the most controversial, given the president-elect’s long history of statements emphasizing that he will prosecute political rivals during his second term in office.

Bondi was put under the microscope during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

He tried to allay those concerns with some of his statements, insisting that “politics has to be taken out of this system”.

“No one should be prosecuted for political purposes,” he said. As head of the Justice Department, she will be the federal government’s top prosecutor.

But when pressed about whether she would open investigations into specific people, such as former special counsel Jack Smith, Bondy declined to give a clear answer.

Asked about Smith, who led two criminal prosecutions against Trump, he said, “It would be irresponsible for me to make a commitment regarding anything.”

Bondi has previously repeated Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen through mass fraud and voting irregularities.

On Wednesday, she said she would evaluate potential pardons on a “case-by-case basis” for people who participated in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Duffy will demand accountability from Boeing

In a relatively modest testimony, Sean Duffy, Trump’s choice to be transportation secretary, said he would seek to make electric vehicles (EVs) a way to pay for road maintenance that is largely financed by gasoline taxes.

He also said top US aircraft maker Boeing needs “tough love” to ensure it meets adequate safety standards.

“I think we have to make sure they’re implementing their safety plan,” Duffy said, adding that the aerospace company needs to “restore global confidence” in its brand.

The comments come as Boeing faces continued scrutiny following a string of air safety accidents in 2024 as well as fraud allegations.

“We have to put pressure on the (Federal Aviation Administration) to make sure they’re implementing their safety plan,” said Duffy, a former lobbyist, TV personality and member of the U.S. House of Representatives.