Trump’s cabinet picks ‘falling into place’ as hearings go ahead in the Senate

Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth was the most contentious so far, and his Tuesday hearing saw many senators complaining about his personal life. AG nominee Pam Bondi encountered many senators' questions during her hearing on Wednesday and was able to answer questions with poise.

"One by one," the AP notes, "all the president-elect's men, and women, are falling into place in his Cabinet."

"These nominees are bold choices," Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso said. Sean Duffy sat for questions about his proposed role as Secretary of Transportation. Marco Rubio took questions from his former colleagues as to how he would handle global matters as Secretary of State. Barrasso said confirmations for key positions could come as soon as Monday, Inauguration Day. Others who sat for grilling include Energy nominee Chris Wright, Russ Vought for OMB, Treasury nominee Scott Bessent, EPA head Lee Zeldin, and Interior pick Doug Burgum.

Those still waiting for their turn to be grilled by the senate are Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and others. Trump's former VP Mike Pence said no one should vote for Kennedy due to his pro-choice stance on abortion while commentator Charlie Kirk said anyone in the GOP who doesn't vote for Hegseth will be primaried in their next run for Senate. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who was initially believed to be a holdout, said she'd back Hegseth after his hearing.

Bondi answered questions from senators who appeared worried that she'd target former Biden admin officials in the same way that Biden's DOJ targeted former Trump admin officials. Bondi said that "no one is above the law" but that she had no intention of coming into her position with a list of people to prosecute.

Both Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Mazie Hirono demanded that Bondi say whether or not Joe Biden won the 2020 election that launched him into the presidency. Bondi, who said that Biden is the president, which he is for another few days, said "I don’t have to say anything. I will answer the questions to the best of my ability, and honestly."