{"id":2378270,"date":"2024-12-10T04:21:02","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T09:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-takes-questions-about-his-nominees-in-stride-for-now-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-12-10T04:25:10","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T09:25:10","slug":"trump-takes-questions-about-his-nominees-in-stride-for-now-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-takes-questions-about-his-nominees-in-stride-for-now-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump takes questions about his nominees in stride, for now &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-takes-questions-about-his-nominees-in-stride-for-now-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2378270&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article\u2062 discusses President-elect\u200b Donald Trump&#8217;s approach\u2064 to securing support for \u2063his Cabinet nominees, amidst some hesitations from Republican senators.\u2064 Notably, Senator Joni Ernst has shown potential backing for Pete Hegseth, Trump&#8217;s controversial choice for Secretary of Defense, indicating that resistance \u200cto his\u2063 confirmation may be diminishing. Despite an early expectation that Trump\u2063 might attempt to bypass the Senate\u200c to install his Cabinet, he seems to be allowing his nominees to engage directly with senators ahead of confirmation hearings.<\/p>\n<p>Trump&#8217;s allies have suggested that\u200d Republican senators\u2062 who oppose his nominees could face \u2063primary challenges, yet Trump has largely refrained from publicly intervening. \u200cHe has traditionally communicated his preferences through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-this-average-american-is-voting-for-donald-trump\/\" title=\"Why This Average American Is Voting for Donald Trump\">social media<\/a>, which has produced mixed outcomes. Ther are lingering concerns regarding his more contentious picks and the \u2064dynamics \u200bof\u200c their confirmations. \u200cHowever, many \u200cof his nominees \u200care likely to receive confirmation without significant issues, as Trump adopts\u2064 a more hands-off strategy for the moment. <\/p>\n<p>The piece highlights the delicate balance of power within the Republican party and trump&#8217;s potential for a sudden shift in tactic, suggesting that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">future social \u2064media\u2062 posts<\/a>\u200b could significantly impact his \u2062nomination strategy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump takes questions about his nominees in stride, for now<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1903465\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President-elect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a> has so far been relatively quiet as Republican senators have been slow to show their support for some of his Cabinet nominees.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joni-ernst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Joni Ernst<\/a> (R-IA) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3255169\/joni-ernst-opens-door-supporting-pete-hegseth-nomination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">opened the door<\/a> to backing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pete Hegseth<\/a>, Trump&rsquo;s embattled nominee to lead the Pentagon, in the latest sign Republican opposition to his confirmation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/3253259\/has-hegseth-turned-a-corner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">may be softening<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s allies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3251955\/trump-allies-threaten-senate-gop-fail-back-nominees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">had signaled<\/a> that Ernst and others could face Republican primary challenges if they didn&rsquo;t get on board with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-cant-deny-responsibility-for-our-so-so-divided-nation\/\" title=\"Biden Can\u2019t Deny Responsibility For Our \u2018So, So Divided\u2019 Nation\">president-elect&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s nominees. Trump himself has largely stayed above the fray.<\/p>\n<p>When Trump was elected, there was widespread speculation he would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3230811\/trumps-demand-recess-appointments-faces-headwinds-controversial-cabinet-picks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">seek to sidestep the Senate<\/a> as much as constitutionally possible while installing his Cabinet, even though Republicans will take control of the chamber in January. During the Senate Republican leadership elections, he took to social media to urge the winner to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3230247\/recess-appointments-trump-skip-senate-confirmations-fill-cabinet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">allow recess appointments<\/a> for his nominees. During his first term, Trump often issued directives to Republican leaders on the website then known as Twitter, with decidedly mixed results.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3223892\/president-elect-donald-trump-cabinet-picks-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>TRUMP CABINET PICKS: WHO&rsquo;S BEEN TAPPED TO SERVE IN THE PRESIDENT-ELECT&rsquo;S ADMINISTRATION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But Trump has since dispatched two of his more controversial nominees to meet with Republican senators weeks ahead of any possible confirmation hearings. The meetings have reportedly gone well for Hegseth, who has also enjoyed strong support on television, radio, and social media in attempting to salvage his endangered nomination. The meetings appeared to go less well for former Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/matt-gaetz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Matt Gaetz<\/a>, with the Florida Republican since withdrawing from consideration to be the next attorney general.<\/p>\n<p>Predictions that Trump will change his tactics or tone rarely pan out. It is possible his red line on Cabinet nominees will be Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the secretary of health and human services or former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for the director of national intelligence. Both are recent ex-Democrats and progressives, yet they were arguably more important to Trump building a winning coalition than Hegseth or Gaetz.<\/p>\n<p>All it takes is one late-night or early-morning Truth Social post from Trump to signal a change in direction or a return to his more bellicose form.<\/p>\n<p>But Trump has thus far been content to let his lieutenants, and the nominees themselves, do the fighting for him. And many of his nominees should be confirmed easily.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If you go back 32 years, there are only two nominees out of 72 Cabinet secretary nominees in which senators of the president-elect&rsquo;s party voted against them,&rdquo; Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) told Fox News on Monday. &ldquo;Nobody should be surprised that a Republican Senate is gonna confirm the Republican president-elect&rsquo;s Cabinet secretaries.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Donald Trump Jr. <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DonaldJTrumpJr\/status\/1864686299300454403\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">posted<\/a> last week, &ldquo;If you&rsquo;re a GOP Senator who voted for Lloyd Austin but criticize Pete Hegseth then maybe you&rsquo;re in the wrong political party!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, a Republican, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.breitbart.com\/politics\/2024\/12\/06\/exclusive-iowa-ag-brenna-bird-iowans-made-their-voice-clear-the-senate-must-confirm-trumps-cabinet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">penned an article<\/a> arguing her constituents wanted Trump&rsquo;s Cabinet picks confirmed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Iowans delivered Trump the largest margin of victory in the Hawkeye State since 1972, even after being told by the fools&rsquo; &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/co-secretary-of-state-posts-voting-passwords-online\/\" title=\"CO Secretary Of State Posts Voting Passwords Online\">gold standard&#038;rsquo<\/a>; pollster that Trump would lose the state,&rdquo; Bird wrote, referring to a <em>Des Moines Register <\/em>poll that showed Vice President Kamala Harris ahead the weekend before the election. &ldquo;It was as clear of a message as possible, or so I thought. In recent days, it&rsquo;s become clear that D.C. politicians think they can ignore the voices of their constituents and entertain smears from the same outlets that have pushed out lies for years.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Bird did not mention Ernst by name. But Trump ally Charlie Kirk did.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;People in Iowa have a well<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-allies-threaten-primary-challenges-against-gop-senators-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump allies threaten primary challenges against GOP senators - Washington Examiner\">-funded primary challenger ready<\/a> against her,&rdquo; Kirk <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/charliekirk11\/status\/1864776462710247886\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">wrote<\/a> on X, the Elon Musk-owned social media platform formerly known as Twitter. &ldquo;Her political career is in serious jeopardy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Republicans are totally behind [Trump&rsquo;s] agenda and are totally supportive of him putting the right people in place so he can solve the country&rsquo;s problems,&rdquo; Trump pollster John McLaughlin <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolitics.com\/articles\/2024\/12\/05\/exclusive_joni_ernst_i_dont_have_a_campaign_against_pete_hegseth_152050.html\">told<\/a> <em>RealClearPolitics<\/em>. &ldquo;If certain Republican senators side with the Democrats, they do so at their own peril.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>So Trumpworld isn&rsquo;t exactly taking Republican intransigence lying down. But one troubled Trump nominee has already been pulled, and the other has been encouraged to make the case to Republican senators that he should be confirmed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had a lot of senators call me up, saying that he&rsquo;s fantastic,&rdquo; Trump told NBC&rsquo;s <em>Meet the Press<\/em> when asked if he had received assurances from Senate Republicans that Hegseth would be confirmed.<\/p>\n<p>Trump stopped short of saying he had gotten such assurances but reiterated his confidence in both Hegseth&rsquo;s ability to do the job and the likelihood that he would be confirmed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1903465\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1903465\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump remains calm about his nominees as GOP support wavers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2659,"featured_media":2378271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/trump_nominees.webp.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[8163,5894,4245,3634,32076],"class_list":["post-2378270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-nominees","tag-politics","tag-questions","tag-trump","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/trump_nominees.webp.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2378270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2378270"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2378270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2378274,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2378270\/revisions\/2378274"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2378271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2378270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2378270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2378270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}