What to know about the confirmation hearings for Trump's Cabinet picks this week
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Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi. Photos: Al Drago and Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Some of President-elect Trump's highest profile Cabinet picks will be under fresh scrutiny this week as they brace for tough Senate confirmation hearings that could make or break their nominations.
Why it matters: With Democrats looking to create fireworks and the Republican party deeply divided, the hearings could escalate clashes over Trump's most controversial nominees.
- Many of Trump's picks have already met with senators individually, but the high-stakes confirmation hearings will offer them the chance to shine.
- For some, they could also be forced to address lingering questions about their past actions and relevant experience.
Here are the hearings Axios is watching closely:
Pam Bondi
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is Trump's pick to serve as attorney general.
- Bondi's appointment would install a Trump loyalist at the head of the Department of Justice, and could play a major role if the president-elect were to pursue his threats to go after his political enemies.
- Bondi was Trump's second public pick for the position, after his initial selection, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration amid an ethics scandal. The former Florida lawmaker faced sexual misconduct allegations, which he has repeatedly denied.
What to watch: Bondi's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee will be split over two days, beginning Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday at 10:15 a.m.
Marco Rubio
Trump's nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to serve as the next secretary of state is one of his surest bets, with the senator enjoying bipartisan support in the run-up to his formal evaluation.
- Rubio, who has a reputation as a foreign policy hawk, will have his work cut out for him implementing Trump's foreign policy agenda, which includes swift ends to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
What to watch: Rubio's confirmation hearing will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Kristi Noem
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is Trump's pick for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, where she'd play a crucial role in implementing Trump's immigration agenda.
- A source close to the governor previously told Axios that her experiences dealing with immigration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have prepared her for the role.
What to watch: Noem's confirmation hearing will take place before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday.
Pete Hegseth
Senate Democrats grilled Pete Hegseth — Trump's pick for Defense Secretary— at his confirmation hearing Tuesday over sexual misconduct allegations, his alleged alcohol abuse, fitness for the position, and past controversial statements.
- He has repeatedly denied all the accusations, and frequently dismissed them as "anonymous smears" at the hearing.
- Hegseth repeatedly dodged questions from Democratic senators, including whether he would resign if he drank on the job after promising not to, and whether he believed domestic violence against a spouse would constitute a disqualifying offense for the post.
- Hegseth faced particularly tough questioning over his views on women in the military. His attempts at the hearing to explain his past statements were met with skepticism from Democratic women senators.
Flashback: Just weeks ago, Hegseth's nomination seemed doomed.
Yes, but: There was no hint of Republican opposition to his nomination at Tuesday's hearing.
Upcoming confirmation hearings
Some of the most potentially contentious hearings are still to come and haven't yet been set. Still in the awning are:
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services. Kennedy is well known for his history of spreading vaccine misinformation.
- Hardline Trump loyalist Kash Patel — who helped push Trump's 2020 election lies — for FBI director. Patel will replace current FBI head Chris Wray, who announced last month that he would resign ahead of Trump's inauguration rather than complete his term.
- Linda McMahon as secretary of education. McMahon, a former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) executive, has been accused of being complicit in the grooming and sexual exploitation of children. She has denied the allegations.
- Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as the next director of national intelligence has raised alarm bells in the intelligence community. In 2017, the former Democratic representative for Hawaii met with then Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and subsequently declared him "not the enemy."
Go deeper:
- Trump administration 2.0: Tracking his Cabinet, White House picks
- Trump picks linked to sexual misconduct allegations
Editor's note: This story was updated with developments from Hegseth's hearing.
