Staff Reports
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas is sending a clear message that the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees is a lock. With the Senate firmly under Republican control starting January 3, 2025, Cotton is doing away with any notion of uncertainty that hangs over Trump’s choices, particularly defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. Despite some grumbling from the left, the consensus among Republicans, Cotton argues, is that there shouldn’t be any surprises when it comes to confirming these nominees.
While grumblings regarding Trump’s nominees have surfaced, especially concerning the past actions of individuals like Hegseth, Cotton emphasizes that the Republican Senate is ready to stand united behind the President-elect. Cotton has been having productive discussions with the nominees themselves, highlighting their qualifications and readiness to take on these pivotal roles in the Trump administration. He even looks back fondly at history, suggesting that the Left should take a page from those days when cabinet nominees faced far fewer obstacles from senators of the president’s own party.
Cotton points out that historically, Republican nominees don’t just saunter in, but they waltz right through. He recalls when Bill Clinton took office, where only two out of seventy-two Cabinet nominees faced dissent from their own party. His implication is clear: with such a track record, anyone shocked by a red wave of confirmations this go-round simply hasn’t been paying attention.
On the social media front, Cotton has been vocal, predicting that the Republican Senate will do right by Trump and confirm all his nominees. Meanwhile, Hegseth is making headlines not just for his military resume but also for his vow to ditch the bottle upon taking office. By invoking General Order No. 1, Hegseth reassures the public that he intends to serve with the same discipline as the armed forces. This dual commitment to securing his position and to sobriety is as bold as it is strategic.
Tom Cotton confident Hegseth and all of Trump’s Cabinet nominees will be confirmed https://t.co/M0RBqOikOp
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 9, 2024
In the event that Hegseth doesn’t stick, the rumor mill is circulating other potential candidates like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa, and Congressman Wesley Hunt of Texas. The options remain robust. Also worth noting is the little side drama involving former Representative Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from the race for attorney general, only for Trump to quickly tap Pam Bondi as his replacement. Bondi’s nomination also underscores the President-elect’s determination to keep his Cabinet strong and aligned with his vision.
With a solid Republican majority in the Senate, it seems more likely than not that the only real news during these confirmation votes will be watching how quickly each nominee secures approval. Hegseth’s journey to leading the defense department may be punctuated with headlines, but if Cotton’s confidence proves accurate, expect the ultimate outcome to be positively predictable.
