As mostly fake controversies are ginned up about Trump’s nominees, his team said senators who reject his nominees will be primaried.
This from independentsentinel.com.
As controversy continues to cloud some of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, his team has an ominous warning for Republicans who do not fall in line behind his nominees.
ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl reported that one senior Trump adviser said the message to lawmakers is:
The president gets to decide his Cabinet. No one else.
Further:
If you are on the wrong side of the vote, you’re buying yourself a primary.
And:
That is all.
[T]here’s a guy named Elon Musk who is going to finance it.
The threat came as Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth (tapped for attorney general and defense secretary, respectively) made the rounds on Capitol Hill this week to shore up support. They were escorted by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, the junior senator from Ohio.
Gaetz announced Thursday afternoon he was withdrawing his name from consideration, stating his confirmation bid was “unfairly becoming a distraction.”
Trump stood firm with the selections, and said it was ultimately Gaetz’s choice to withdraw.
Trump previously made a demand for Republican leadership to back so-called “recess appointments” to skirt the traditional confirmation process.
But his demand is being met with some resistance from some Senate Republicans.
Sen. Thom Tillis, a senior Republican and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said recess appointments for Cabinet posts should be “absolutely off the table.”
Further:
[Q]uite honestly, any serious candidate for Cabinet-level position, I would really have to wonder if they would want it or be willing to accept it under a recess.
And:
These positions are too important. They carry too much weight internationally to take a short cut.
Several senators have said they want the full “process” and vetting of candidates to play out.
Sen. Josh Hawley said on Wednesday his intention is to vote for all nominees.
Longtime Senate RINO Leader Mitch McConnell, who recently stepped down from the role, said:
The Constitution gives us a role in personnel called advice and consent.
Further:
My view is that’s exactly what will unfold here when these nominees are actually sent forward, and we’ll treat them like we’ve treated all others with the proper vetting.
Potential Problem Senators:
- Bill Cassidy (LA)
- Susan Collins (ME)
- John Cornyn (TX)
- John Curtis (UT)
- Joni Ernst (IA)
- Mitch McConnell (KY)
- Markwayne Mullin (OK)
- Lisa Murkowski (AK)
- Todd Young (IN)
