Staff Reports
Senator John Thune, the incoming Senate majority leader, finds himself in a delightful conundrum as President-elect Donald Trump’s eyebrow-raising Cabinet nominees take center stage. With nominees like Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the table, Thune has his work cut out for him. A GOP majority in the Senate should offer a cakewalk in the confirmation process, but Trump’s desire for immediate action could throw a wrench in the works.
Trump is ready to whip out the recess appointment option if he doesn’t get what he wants, a move that might make some Republicans’ heads spin. The thought of cabinet picks rushing through without the Senate performing its so-called “advise and consent” role has some Republicans shaking in their loafers. Meanwhile, Democrats, freshly booted from their Senate throne, seem rather gleeful about the whole spectacle, likely seeing it as an opportunity to nibble away at Republican unity. It’s like watching a cat toy with a mouse—exciting but with the potential for catastrophe.
Say what you will about Senator John Thune, but this is about as steady a hand you could hope for at the wheel of the Senate GOP Conference.
Not known to be a hyper-partisan, a father of young women, and someone who believes words matter.
He was always the heir apparent. pic.twitter.com/urVoAfZWol
— Rina Shah (@RinainDC) November 13, 2024
Thune, while demonstrating that he’s not a total Goonie, is also finding his way around his new responsibilities. He has made a point of saying he prefers to follow the rules and give Democrats a chance to engage in the process instead of bending to the whims of the Trump train. However, he isn’t blind to the reality that if push comes to shove, recess appointments might be on the table. He insists that all Republicans need to be on board for that to happen, and if trust issues pop up, so might the headache.
Gaetz has added a twist by unexpectedly resigning amid ethical cloud cover, making speculation about his potential nomination a dicey venture. With the Justice Department having dropped investigations against him, many won’t be crying salty tears, but Thune still faces the challenge of securing solid support for Trump’s most controversial picks. The senators in the GOP need to play the long game; if they can’t stand firm on appointments now, how will they grapple with the big issues of the future, especially if they want to keep some semblance of coherence in their party?
As Thune scrambles to navigate these turbulent waters, his colleagues are not exactly easing his load. With a few individuals already sounding the alarm that some nominees may flop, the Senate’s upcoming showdowns promise to be a true circus. It seems that Republican senators are wary that they could get stuck with the short end of the stick if Trump decides to shake things up without sufficient ground support first. Instead of a smooth confirmation experience, the GOP may find itself tumbling down a rabbit hole of divisive politics, reminiscent of a reality show where not everyone gets to leave with their pride intact.
