Staff ReportsThe Senate appears to be on the verge of confirming President Trump’s offbeat Cabinet picks without much resistance, leaving skeptics in the dust and Republicans uniting like never before. Just days ago, the air was thick with doubt about two particularly unconventional selections: Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary. However, with the backing of the GOP, these nominees seem set to glide through the confirmation process.
Gabbard, who once proudly served as a Democrat from Hawaii, made the switch to independent in 2022, then hopped on the Trump bandwagon in 2024. Meanwhile, Kennedy, a name synonymous with Democratic royalty, managed to abandon his party to pursue an independent presidential run before ultimately throwing his support behind Trump. Those two moves have evidently won the approval of a majority of Republicans who now appear ready to close ranks behind them.
Despite the predictable pushback from Democrats, who likely see this as a “this wasn’t in the playbook” moment, Gabbard and Kennedy have struck significant deals with hesitant Republicans to earn their votes. The fear that these nominees wouldn’t make it through the confirmation process has turned to laughter as Democrats realize there simply aren’t enough rogue Republicans left to derail either candidate. Perhaps they should have put their faith in party unity instead of wishing for a miracle.
Things got particularly interesting when Sen. Tom Cotton expressed delight in Gabbard’s expected contributions as director of national intelligence. Cotton hinted that working with Gabbard could lead to needed reforms, and although few Democrats lamented the choice, it was clear that they were biting their nails over the prospect of these unconventional picks flourishing in their positions.
As it stands, the three Republicans still holding out against Kennedy’s nomination are known for their less than steadfast allegiance to the party line: Senators Susan Collins from Maine, Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, and the always-controversial Mitch McConnell from Kentucky. But even Collins has now hopped on the Gabbard train, while Murkowski and McConnell’s support remains uncertain. In a twist of irony, even Democrats have surrendered, admitting that the hopes of defeating these “unqualified” nominees have vanished faster than a magician’s rabbit at a magic show.
GOP skepticism of Trump nominees abates as Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nominations advancehttps://t.co/6IUWN6rt37 pic.twitter.com/1CsY97fM8b
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 5, 2025
The drama surrounding Kennedy’s confirmation got a little more theatrical when Sen. Bill Cassidy delayed his support until the last possible moment, creating a mini-stir among political watchers. Despite prior concerns over Kennedy’s views on vaccines—something that would send many running for the hills—Cassidy was reportedly swayed by Trump’s administration and its commitment to collaboration on health matters. This dance of political maneuvering shows just how far some will go to align with the vast changes Trump is ushering in.
Now with Gabbard and Kennedy sailing smoothly toward confirmation, they plan to shake things up in their respective positions. Kennedy aims to overhaul the health landscape, targeting the cozy relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and the government. Meanwhile, Gabbard is taking a hard stance against intelligence leaks, which should be music to the ears of anyone concerned about national security. It looks like those who tried to stop this train are left grasping at straws, and as things progress, one thing is clear: change is coming, and it may just be the swing voters didn’t see it coming.
