Key takeaways as Trump's nominees face US Senate confirmation | Donald Trump News

For the second day in a row, the US Senate considered the nominees for key positions in the Cabinet of President-elect Donald Trump, discussing their backgrounds and qualifications.

Wednesday was a busy day for the Senate, as it held hearings for six of Trump's nominees, including hard-hitters like Senator Marco Rubio — his choice for secretary of state — and Pam Bondi, the attorney general's pick.

The talks come as Republican leaders in Congress hope to give Trump a strong start to his second term, which begins Monday.

Top Cabinet positions require Senate approval, with Republicans holding 53 seats to Democrats' 45.

However, controversial nominees will need the entire vote to win their nomination. Wednesday's hearing, for example, was preceded by a fiery trial the previous day, as senators pressed Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defense secretary, over allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct.

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

Rubio flashes a hawkish streak

During his testimony, Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida, promised to put America's interests “before anything else and everything else” if he is named secretary of state.

Rubio also showed his stripes as a foreign policy hawk, criticizing China as the “greatest threat” the US faces in the 21st century.

“If we don't change course, we will live in a world where much of what matters to us every day – from security to our health – will depend on whether or not the Chinese allow us to have it.” ,” Rubio said.

He added that China “oppressed and lied and cheated and robbed and stole.” [its] entered the status of a global superpower”.

Wednesday's remarks were in line with Rubio's record of taking an anti-American stance.

Still, he praised US partnerships like NATO, providing a counterpoint to Trump's own aggressive stance.

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

“Without the NATO alliance, the Cold War does not end. In fact, without the NATO alliance, it is possible that much of what we know today as Europe would be a victim of atrocities.”

But he echoed Trump's view that other NATO allies “need to contribute more to their defense” and rely less on US support.

Ratcliffe pledges to remain politically neutral

During one of the hearings, John Ratcliffe, Trump's nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), assured lawmakers that they would not prosecute members of the intelligence community for insufficient loyalty to Trump.

“We will produce insightful, objective, well-sourced analysis, not allowing political or personal bias to cloud our judgment or infect our products,” Ratcliffe said of his goals as CIA director.

A former federal prosecutor, Ratcliffe served as director of national intelligence (DNI) during Trump's first term in office, from 2017 to 2021.

Like Rubio, Ratcliffe is expected to sail through the confirmation process. But senators have expressed concern that Trump's picks for top legislative roles may seek to use their power for political purposes.

Ratcliffe had previously pledged to “clean up bad actors to protect our country and our intelligence services”.

On Wednesday, he faced direct questions about whether the plan would alienate workers politically.

“Would you or one of your staff impose a political litmus test on CIA employees?” Senator Angus King asked.

“No,” replied Ratcliffe. He emphasized that removing employees because of their opinions is “something I will not do”.

Bondi dodges questions from Smith's investigation

Trump's nomination for attorney general is expected to be among the most controversial, given the president-elect's long record of prosecuting political opponents during his second term in office.

That put Bondi under the microscope during his Senate hearing on Wednesday.

He tried to ease those concerns with some of his statements, insisting that “politics must be removed from this process”.

“No one should be persecuted for political purposes,” he added. As head of the Department of Justice, he will be the federal government's chief prosecutor.

But when pressed on whether he would open an investigation into certain figures such as former Special Counsel Jack Smith, Bondi refused to give specific answers.

“It would be remiss of me to take responsibility for anything,” he said when asked about Smith, who led two criminal charges against Trump.

Bondi has gone along with Trump's false allegations that the 2020 election was rigged with massive voter fraud and irregularities.

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

Duffy will pursue accountability for Boeing

In a less-than-stellar testimony, Sean Duffy, Trump's nominee for transportation secretary, said he would look into ways to make electric vehicles (EVs) pay for road repairs largely funded by the fuel tax.

He also asserted that Boeing, the top US aircraft manufacturer, needs “tough love” to meet adequate safety standards.

“I think we have to make sure they use their safety system,” said Duffy, adding the aerospace company needed to “restore global confidence” in its product.

The comments come as Boeing has come under increasing scrutiny following the 2024 air safety scandal, as well as allegations of fraud.

“We have to push [Federal Aviation Administration] to make sure they use their safety plan,” said Duffy, a former lobbyist, former TV personality and member of the US House of Representatives.