Trump’s Cabinet Comes Together

Matthew Willar

News Editor

Since the moment President Trump took his oath of office on Jan. 20, the Republican-led Senate has been working around the clock to confirm his nominees for his cabinet. Despite a slew of controversy surrounding many, Republicans in the Senate have remained nearly united on getting them through the confirmation process, even with many receiving little Democratic support.

Marco Rubio 

The former Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio was confirmed unanimously by the Senate, 99-0, to become the Secretary of State. With over 10 years of experience in the Senate, Rubio was able to earn the support of all Democrats, earning praise for his hawkish views on China. Rubio was confirmed on Jan. 20 just hours after Trump was inaugurated and is the first Hispanic to serve in the role.

Scott Bessent 

One of the largest donors to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, Scott Bessent was confirmed 68-29 by the Senate on Jan. 27. The founder and CEO of Key Square Group and a former partner of the Soros Fund Management, Bessent became an ally to Trump as one of his economic advisers. With his confirmation, Bessent became just the second openly gay person to serve in a President’s cabinet and the highest-ranking openly gay person in American history, being the fifth in the presidential line of succession.

Pete Hegseth 

Perhaps the most controversial nominee to serve in Trump’s cabinet, Pete Hegseth is the only nominee thus far that required a tie-breaking vote for his confirmation. A former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, Hegseth did not receive the support to be Secretary of Defense from three Republican senators, Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, and Lisa Murkowski, who cited his lack of experience, allegations of sexual assault, and comments on women serving in combat, as just some of their reasoning for voting against his confirmation. Hegseth was confirmed 51-50 as the Secretary of Defense on Jan. 24 after Vice President J.D. Vance broke a 50-50 tie, making him just the second cabinet nominee in U.S. history to require a tie-breaking vote to be confirmed.

Pam Bondi 

The former Attorney General of Florida, Pam Bondi received praise from both Republicans and Democrats for her experience working in law enforcement. However, she only received one Democrat vote, that of Senator John Fetterman, when she was confirmed on Feb. 4 in a 54-46 vote. Democrats cited her support of Trump’s false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election and her inability to say that Trump lost that election as their biggest reason for voting against her confirmation, despite acknowledging her wealth of experience.

Doug Burgum 

The former Governor of North Dakota and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, Doug Burgum received a majority of Democratic support in his confirmation to be the Secretary of the Interior on Jan. 30, where he was confirmed 80-17. Burgum was one of the first withdrawn candidates from the 2024 Republican presidential primaries to endorse Trump and was on the shortlist to be his Vice President until Trump ultimately chose Vance.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

Former Democrat turned Independent presidential candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is known for his conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine rhetoric, was confirmed by the Senate 52-48 on Feb. 13 as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, who was polling between 5% and 10% against Trump and then President Biden, withdrew from the race in July and endorsed Trump. His movement, “MAHA,” a spin on Trump’s “MAGA” movement, drew support from many Republicans, who despite having concerns over his stances on vaccines, all except one voted in favor of his confirmation. The sole opposition to Kennedy was McConnell, who cited his personal experience with polio and how vaccines were instrumental to his recovery. Kennedy is the only member of Trump’s cabinet who is not a registered Republican.

Kristi Noem 

Another former red state Governor, Kristi Noem of South Dakota was confirmed by the Senate 59-34 on Jan. 25 to be the Secretary of Homeland Security. Noem, who drew controversy for sharing the story of killing her dog in her recent book, and being banned from some tribal lands in her home state of South Dakota, is a key member of Trump’s cabinet as she is tasked with overseeing his immigration policies, one of the biggest issues he campaigned on.

Russell Vought 

One of the key players of Project 2025, an initiative that Trump has distanced himself from, Russell Vought was confirmed by the Senate 53-47 on Feb. 5 to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought, who describes himself as a Christian nationalist, has advocated for taking over the federal government through presidential power. Vought previously served in the same position in Trump’s first administration.

Lee Zeldin 

Former congressmen and New York gubernatorial candidate who came within single digits of defeating incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul in a deep blue state, Lee Zeldin was confirmed 56-42 on Jan. 29 to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin has earned praise from both moderate Republicans and more conservative Republicans, who both agree with his views on dealing with climate change.

Tulsi Gabbard 

Former Democratic congresswoman turned Republican, Tulsi Gabbard, was confirmed 52-48 on Feb. 10 to be the Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard is one of Trump’s most controversial cabinet members, having previously refused to label Edward Snowden as a traitor to the U.S. and for her meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad where she praised his remarks over those of the U.S. Those remarks were later confirmed to be aligned with Russian narratives. McConnell was the lone Senator to vote against Gabbard.

John Ratcliffe 

Former Director of National Intelligence in Trump’s first term, John Raticlife, was confirmed by the Senate 74-25 on Jan. 23. Ratcliffe, who now leads a position that was elevated to cabinet level during Trump’s first term, has been praised for his ability to rein in intelligence agencies.

Some other cabinet members who have been confirmed with little opposition or controversy include Doug Collins as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Sean Duffy as the Secretary of Transportation, Brooke Rollins as the Secretary of Agriculture, Scott Turner as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Chris Wright as the Secretary of Energy.

Six of Trump’s nominees have yet to be confirmed: Lori Chavez-DeRemer to be the Secretary of Labor, Jamieson Greer to be the U.S. Trade Representative, Kelly Loeffler to be the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Howard Lutnick to be the Secretary of Commerce, Linda McMahon to be the Secretary of Education, and Elise Stefanik to be the Ambassador to the United Nations.