The following confirmation hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
9:00 a.m. – Kristi Noem – Homeland Security Department
Governor of South Dakota, rancher and former congresswoman. Her claim to fame lately has been her admitted shooting of her puppy because he wouldn’t do what he was asked. Hmmm – maybe Defense is better suited for the gun happy lady!
She will appear before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. This is one of the biggest governmental agencies and covers border security and immigration. Should be an interesting hearing.
9:30 a.m. – Pam Bondi – Justice Department (Attorney General)
Former Florida attorney general, she served on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment and currently leads the legal arm of the America First Policy Institute.
Ms. Bondi will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee. This position will be one of the most closely watched Cabinet members, given the concern that Trump will look to bend the Justice Department to his will. This hearing is currently scheduled over two days.
10:00 a.m. – Sean Duffy – Transportation
Former Wisconsin congressman who was also a co-host on Fox Business.
He will appear before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The department oversees pipelines, railroads, cars, trucks, airlines and mass transit systesm, as well as funding for highways.
10:00 a.m. – John Ratcliffe – CIA
Ratcliffe was the director of national intelligence for the final months of Trump’s first term. He’s a former Texas congressman.
He goes before the Senate Intelligence Committee. He will lead the nation’s premier spy agency, responsible for foreign covert operations and collecting data on US adversaries.
10:00 a.m. – Marco Rubio – State Department
Florida senator has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering his nomination.
As head of the State Department, Rubio would oversee the US foreign service, advise Trump of diplomatic appointments and conduct negotiations with foreign leaders on behalf of the administration.
10:00 a.m. – Chris Wright – Energy Department
Fossil fuel executive, Wright has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change.
He will appear before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The secretary oversees energy generation and use in the US as well as the nation’s nuclear weapon stockpile. He would also join Burgum on the National Energy Council.
1:00 p.m. – Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget
OMB director during Trump’s first administration. He goes before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, the conservative blueprint for Trump’s up-coming second term. Trump tried to distance himself from this plan during the presidential campaign.
The budget director oversees the building of the president’s budget and review of proposed regulations.
Of the hearings held on Wednesday, the easiest to pass should be Marco Rubio, who does bring experience to the role of Secretary of State.
The hearings that bear watching are possibly Pam Bondi’s, Chris Write, and Russell Vought. Will Pam Bondi be able to withstand Trump’s pressure to go after his political opponents? Wright brings a background adverse to environmental protection. With the background of the CA wildfires, this could present a contentious hearing. Mr. Vought brings his own problems, most notably his connection to Project 2025.
Again, Bondi’s hearing is schedule to last 2 days – Wednesday and Thursday. The others are not currently schedule over multiple days.
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In My Humble Opinion 