President-elect Donald Trump has begun pressuring Republican senators to ensure approval of Cabinet picks.
In the past two weeks, President Trump has announced more than a dozen nominations to various Cabinet and federal positions, most notably naming former Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz to be attorney general. That's true. While his candidacy has received the president-elect's wholehearted support, the Trump transition team is preparing to secure Gaetz's approval.
“They want someone who will shake up Washington, D.C.”
Republicans regained the Senate majority this election cycle by flipping seats in West Virginia, Montana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. If President Trump's nominee is approved by Congress next time, he would only lose three Republican votes, assuming Vice President-elect J.D. Vance also joins.
That leaves some room for candidates like Gaetz and fuels President Trump's pressure campaign to win votes in the Republican Senate.
Several senators have already expressed skepticism about Gaetz. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said Gates was not a “serious nomination” and that she was “shocked” by the nomination.
Efforts are growing, especially to persuade Mr. Vance, to win over Republican senators who may balk at Mr. Trump's nominee. Vance was last seen early Wednesday. guide Gaetz and Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio meet near the Capitol pitch In the form of phone calls and closed-door meetings with senators. Trump reportedly even made some of these calls himself secure Gates is confirmed.
These efforts have been successful in several ways. Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin endorsed Gaetz, even though he has historically been critical of candidates.
“The president wants to put a hammer down on the Justice Department, and I think he sees Matt Gaetz as that hammer,” Mullin said. said He said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday.
“His selection was probably unconventional, but we had an unconventional president,” Marin continued. “That's what the American people wanted. They don't want politics as usual. They want someone who shakes up Washington, D.C..”
Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, an ally of President Trump, warned at his conference against voting against candidates like Gates.
“Republicans: If you're not on the team, stay out of the way,” Tuberville said After being nominated by Gates.
“If you want to interfere, fine. But if you try, we're going to kick you out of the Senate, too,” Tuberville continued.
Trump's transition team has faced uphill battles with some candidates, but the president-elect hasn't daunted.
Mr Trump is asked At a SpaceX presentation in Texas on Tuesday, a reporter spoke about whether the company is reconsidering Gates' nomination.
President Trump's answer was a simple “no.”
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