Prominent Republican Senator James Lankford emphasized on Sunday that Congress will not automatically approve Donald Trump’s contentious cabinet appointments ahead of the Senate confirmation process. At the same time, leading Democrat Tammy Duckworth questioned the qualifications of several nominees.
Lankford, representing Oklahoma, anticipated rigorous scrutiny for Trump’s pick for director of national security, former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, he stressed the importance of public hearings, set to begin on January 3, ahead of Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
“Everyone will be given a fair chance,” Lankford said of the nominees, but he hinted at specific concerns regarding Gabbard. Her controversial actions, such as spreading Russian propaganda about Ukraine and her secretive meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad—accused of war crimes—are expected to dominate her Senate confirmation hearings. Critics have even suggested she could be a “Russian asset.”
“We’ll have plenty of questions,” Lankford said. “She met with Assad; we need to understand her intentions and actions as a member of Congress. We also want to clarify past statements she has made to get the full context.”
He further commented, “While some allegations are circulating, it’s essential to hear the complete story.”
Lankford’s remarks followed a turbulent week for Trump’s nominations, including the withdrawal of his initial attorney general pick, former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Several Republican senators expressed opposition, making his confirmation unlikely.
Other controversial nominees include Pete Hegseth, a Fox TV host nominated for defense secretary, who faced a 2017 sexual assault investigation, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic chosen for health secretary.
Lankford also addressed the nomination of Pam Bondi, Florida’s former attorney general, who replaced Gaetz as the attorney general nominee. He suggested Bondi should prioritize national concerns over political vendettas. “The role of attorney general is to serve as America’s lawyer, not the president’s personal attorney,” he said. “We need someone focused on reducing crime across the nation.”
In addition to public hearings, Lankford noted that senators would have opportunities for private meetings with the nominees.
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran, criticized Hegseth and Gabbard, deeming them unqualified. Regarding Hegseth, Duckworth said, “He never commanded a unit beyond a platoon. Managing the Department of Defense, a $900 billion organization with 3 million personnel, requires extensive leadership experience he simply does not have.”
She also condemned Hegseth’s stance against women serving in combat roles, calling it a setback for military equality. On Gabbard, Duckworth expressed grave concerns, stating, “There are troubling allegations about her connections to America’s adversaries. I fear she might fail a basic background check.”
Meanwhile, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin defended Trump’s picks without reservation. “The president knows exactly what he needs for his administration to fulfill the American people’s mandate,” Mullin stated. “These nominees are part of that vision.”
Separately, Republican Senator Rand Paul voiced opposition to Trump’s proposal to use the military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, calling it unlawful. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, Paul said, “Deploying the Army for domestic law enforcement is illegal and presents a disturbing image. I will firmly oppose such a measure.” By law, federal troops cannot engage in domestic law enforcement without Congressional authorization.
