In response to growing resistance to several of Donald Trump’s key cabinet nominees, Mara Gay, a member of The New York Times editorial board, has suggested that GOP lawmakers are testing how far they can push back against the president-elect.
This resistance, particularly to figures like Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services, has raised concerns about whether the nominees will secure Senate approval.
As reported by MSNBC on Wednesday morning, Gabbard and RFK Jr. are facing significant opposition, with some lawmakers questioning their views, which could hinder their chances in a Senate vote. This growing pushback comes as Trump and his allies ramp up efforts to secure confirmation for all of his nominees.
In a segment on Morning Joe, co-host Joe Scarborough highlighted comments from Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), who criticized RFK Jr.’s ties to an attorney pushing to roll back the polio vaccine mandate. “I’ve got a completely open mind, but that kind of nonsense is not, it’s not helpful,” Kennedy said, adding, “He should fire his lawyer.”
Gay noted that the rising resistance to Trump’s nominations is a sign that some senators are trying to assert their influence. “There is a lot going on here,” she told the Morning Joe panel. “I think that, first of all, I do think these senators are trying to flex some power with Donald Trump because they don’t want to spend the next four years just being a rubberstamp.”
Gay suggested that GOP senators are testing their limits, seeing how far they can go in opposing Trump without facing significant repercussions. She further noted that RFK Jr., a former Democrat, is an easier target for criticism, allowing lawmakers to raise questions about his nomination with less political fallout.
“RFK is a decent target, considering the fact that he was a former Democrat. It is much easier for them to raise questions about this,” she explained. As the Senate nomination process continues, the resistance from within Trump’s own party raises questions about his ability to swiftly push through his cabinet picks.
