A small number of Democrats have approached Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be confirmed as secretary of state, but others remain skeptical of some Cabinet appointments by President-elect Donald Trump.
“I think Marco Rubio is extremely qualified for the job he has been appointed to,” said Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California. NBC’s “Meet the Press”“I still want to ask the question. Even he’s not going to completely pre-judge, but he’s definitely qualified.”
President Trump has made a series of Cabinet reshuffles over the past two weeks, naming all 15 secretaries of the executive branch. All eyes are now on whether the U.S. Senate will approve the nominee.
Trump allies say Rubio is considered one of the “less MAGA” options in Trump’s circle. NBC News earlier this monthin another statement, said he was “more aligned with the president on issues related to tariffs.”
Trump campaigned in favor of universal tariffs in the 2024 election cycle, particularly steep 60% tariffs on goods from China.
Mr. Rubio is famously tough on China, and has strongly advocated for the demonetization of TikTok, the social media platform owned by China’s ByteDance, in the United States. He is also hawkish on Iran, but remains vague about his support for Ukraine.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, also said in an interview on Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday” that he is a “fan” of Rubio and plans to vote to confirm him.
Fetterman told House members he might “enthusiastically vote yes.” Elise Stefanik He will serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and serve as a pro-labor lawmaker. Lori Chavez Delemer As Secretary of Labor.
Fetterman also said he remains open to other candidates, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, his former rival for a Pennsylvania state Senate seat. Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“I’m not going to be averse to this up front. I’m going to have an open conversation with anyone who is open to being part of that conversation,” Fetterman said.
Democratic Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth said she has a “friendship” with Rubio and looks forward to discussing his policies.
Duckworth, a wounded Iraq veteran, also weighed in on Trump’s defense and veterans affairs in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday morning. The senator said he was open to dialogue with Republican Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, whom President Trump nominated to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, while Fox News host Pete Hegseth It was determined that he was “not qualified” for the post of chief minister.
“He’s never commanded a company, let alone a battalion or a brigade or an entire army,” Duckworth said of Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran.
“There are ways to be a disruptor without appointing someone as secretary of defense who has never actually run an organization larger than a platoon,” Duckworth continued, adding that Collins would be a good example. “The Veterans Administration has terrible problems with their electronic medical records program. I hope Doug Collins steps in and disrupts it.”
Hegseth is also under fire in a 2017 police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at a California hotel.
Another name drawing significant criticism from the Senate is former Democratic Rep. John Lorenzo. Tulsi Gabbard President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence.
Sen.-elect Schiff said Gabbard lacks experience on the House Intelligence Committee. Her ties to the Kremlinworry about him.
Senator Duckworth claims Gabbard is “at risk” and fears the former congressman will not be able to pass a background check.
“I think she’s someone who will be fully supportive and supportive.” [Russian President Vladimir Putin]And I’m concerned that she doesn’t have America’s interests at heart,” Duckworth said.
But some Republicans dispute the claim that Duckworth is a Russian asset.
“I think this is insulting. It’s frankly a slander,” Republican Sen. Eric Schmidt of Missouri said Sunday on NBC.meet the press. ”
On the other hand, HR McMaster, who served as President Trump’s National Security Advisor during his first term, said that Sebastian Gorka, President Trump’s former National Security Adviser, was in charge of national security during his second term. He said he did not consider him to be a suitable advisor.
“This is what the president thinks [and] Others who work with him will probably be quick to judge that,” McMaster said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
McMaster, who has publicly criticized some of Trump’s foreign policy agenda since taking office, has noted the tendency of some Republican officials to parrot talking points about Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also said he was concerned.
“They have to let go of their strange love for Vladimir Putin,” McMaster said.
In response to vocal opposition from Democrats in Congress, President Trump has raised the possibility of forcing the Senate into an extended recess in 2025 in order to bypass the confirmation process for cabinet appointments.
Tennessee Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty told ABC News’ “This Week” Sunday that recess appointments “are on the table and should be considered.”
“This is a tool available to us in the Constitution. What we hope is that the Democratic Party will cooperate with us. But if the resistance becomes as violent as it was… we will have a team around him.” It is necessary to put [Trump] To do that, we need every tool at our disposal,” Hagerty said.
