Thune Declares ‘All The Options’ Are On The Table To Confirm Trump’s Cabinet Picks [WATCH]

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., indicated Thursday that “all the options” are being considered to ensure President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees are confirmed despite anticipated challenges in the Senate.

WOW! John Thune just said recess appointments are on the table if the Senate REFUSES to confirm Trump’s nominees

“All options are on the table, including recess appointments. Hopefully it doesn’t get to that.”

LET’S GO! pic.twitter.com/Cyss5mARm4

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 14, 2024

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Trump recently announced a series of high-profile nominations, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, Matt Gaetz for attorney general, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary.

Speaking with Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Special Report, Thune emphasized that Senate Republicans are committed to advancing Trump’s agenda by expediting the confirmation process.

“We’re going to work with President Trump to see that he gets his team installed as quickly as possible so he can implement his agenda,” Thune stated.

Acknowledging the constitutional “advice and consent” role of the Senate, Thune noted, “We take that role seriously. But we also are not going to allow the Democrats to obstruct or block President Trump and the will of the American people.”

Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz for attorney general has drawn bipartisan scrutiny.

Gaetz, who recently resigned from Congress, is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct and drug use—allegations he denies.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, expressed skepticism about Gaetz’s suitability for the role, describing the nomination as “not a serious choice.” Murkowski added, “We need to have a serious attorney general, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious.”

Despite the controversy, Thune defended the confirmation process, stating that each nominee deserves a fair hearing. “These nominees deserve their day in court. They deserve a hearing, a confirmation hearing, an opportunity to be vetted,” Thune said.

Baier asked Thune about the possibility of using “recess appointments” to bypass Senate hurdles. Under this procedure, a president can fill vacancies while the Senate is in recess.

Thune acknowledged that while the option is on the table, it presents procedural challenges. “You have to have all Republicans vote to recess as well,” Thune explained. “So the same Republicans that might have a problem voting for somebody under regular order probably also have a problem voting to put the Senate into recess.”

He added, “There’s a process. All this is a process. But I don’t think any of those things are necessarily off the table.”

Thune reiterated that the confirmation process would likely face significant challenges but underscored the importance of honoring the electoral mandate.

“The American people gave President Trump a mandate for change with his Electoral College and popular vote wins,” Thune said. “The people in this country want change. He wants to bring that about.”

Thune concluded by stressing the Senate’s duty to thoroughly vet nominees while respecting the president’s choices.

“I always believe that you defer to a president when it comes to the people they want in their Cabinet. But obviously, there is a process where we scrub all these nominees and figure out whether or not they’re qualified and fit to hold these offices.”

The confirmation process for Trump’s Cabinet is expected to dominate early legislative proceedings in the new Congress as Republicans aim to secure key positions necessary to advance the president-elect’s agenda.

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