Staff Reports
A liberal editorial board, perhaps realizing it needed a dose of reality, has endorsed 19 out of 23 of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees ahead of their Senate confirmation hearings. This unexpected move, reported by none other than The Washington Post, reveals that even some on the left can recognize capability when they see it, despite their usual blind adherence to party lines. Admitting that they wouldn’t have chosen these nominees themselves, the editorial board nonetheless relented to the idea that the man who decisively won the presidency ought to have some say in assembling his team. Apparently, good sense sometimes trumps stubborn ideology, at least for now.
Among the nominees receiving the liberal thumbs-up are some heavyweight contenders. Senator Marco Rubio is slated to become Secretary of State, and the editorial board couldn’t help but commend his diplomatic skills and understanding of America’s place on the world stage. Pam Bondi is returning to the Department of Justice, a move that has folks on the right cheering and is regarded as a smart pick by the liberals, who see her as a serious legal mind. Kristi Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, is expected to take the lead at Homeland Security, despite some past controversies. It seems even the left is acknowledging her experience trumps any ideological baggage.
Then there’s Scott Bessent, nominated for Treasury Secretary, who impressed the left with his commitment to reduce the deficit. The liberals also noticed Howard Lutnick’s longstanding connection to Trump and deemed him a natural fit for Commerce Secretary, which raises the question: is the left finally beginning to see the merit in Trump’s choices? However, not everyone made the cut in this endorsement bonanza. Pete Hegseth, for instance, known for his staunch patriotism, has found himself on the receiving end of some sharp critiques. The Post expressed concerns about his temperament and alleged controversial past, particularly concerning his influence on pardons given to veterans.
🚨 BREAKING: The Washington Post’s editorial board has just issued endorsements for 19 of President Trump’s Cavinet-level nominees.https://t.co/KsHhIdPIed
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) January 13, 2025
Robert Kennedy Jr., tapped to lead Health and Human Services, wasn’t as lucky either. The editorial board grumbled about his alleged promotion of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, showcasing an unusual alignment with conservative skepticism. The mention of Tulsi Gabbard and Russell Vought as unfit for their respective nominations of Director of National Intelligence and OMB further illustrates the board’s selective scrutiny. Gabbard may have once been a darling of the anti-war left, but her alleged sympathies towards foreign adversaries seem to have put her on thin ice. Vought’s past actions regarding congressional subpoenas have also raised eyebrows, which might hint that not all liberal critiques are politically motivated.
With confirmation hearings kicking off this week, all eyes will be on the Senate to see if these liberal endorsements translate into actual approval. The left may have found it in themselves to accept Trump’s picks on some level, but whether Senate Democrats will play ball remains uncertain. It’s notable that The Post’s decision to keep its endorsement powder dry during the election resulted in the loss of a whopping 250,000 subscribers. This could mean that even on the left, there are those who see the winds shifting. Amidst all the chaos and controversy, the liberal board’s surprising endorsement of Trump’s nominees might just signal a new era of bipartisan recognition of qualified candidates, even if it is begrudgingly met by the die-hards.
