This week, the Senate initiated the confirmation process for President Trump’s Cabinet nominees with RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel all taking the stand. RFK Jr., slated for health secretary, endured grilling over his past statements on vaccinations, while Gabbard, proposed director of national intelligence, was urged to denounce Edward Snowden as a traitor, a stance she refused to adopt. Patel, on the other hand, nominated for FBI director, faced scrutiny over his commentary on right-wing issues, including his support of QAnon influencers and admiration of the Jan. 6 rioters.
Senator Bill Cassidy voiced his concern over RFK Jr.’s history of sowing vaccine doubt through misleading arguments. He expressed his apprehensions candidly, admitting that he is still unsure about how he will vote. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who has evolved into a MAGA figure, was put under pressure by both Democrats and Republicans. Intelligence Committee members, however, will have the chance to question Gabbard privately, and her confirmation vote will also take place behind closed doors.
Patel seems to have the most Republican backing, or at the very least, the least resistance from within the party. His past remarks, particularly his endorsement of Jan. 6 rioters and QAnon influencers, raised eyebrows among the Democrats. In response to these concerns, he assured that there will be no politicization or retributive actions at the FBI under his watch.
Commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, was also in the hot seat this week. Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, confirmed his firm’s connection to cryptocurrency company Tether. This marks the first public acknowledgment of this relationship. He also pledged to sell all his assets and business interests if confirmed for the position.
Democrats, including Senators Maria Cantwell and John Hickenlooper, raised concerns about the reserves of Tether and its potential misuse by nefarious actors. Lutnick defended the cryptocurrency, asserting that its transactions are easier to track due to the public nature of the blockchain.
The Republicans’ 53-47 majority means they cannot afford more than three dissenting votes on any confirmation if all Democrats oppose Trump’s picks. As well as the confirmation hearings, the Senate is set to address the cryptocurrency industry’s major concern – debanking, in an upcoming Banking Committee hearing.
The House’s Financial Services Committee is also set to host a hearing on “Operation Choke Point 2.0,” dubbed as the alleged targeted attack on crypto companies’ access to banking services. The witness list for these hearings is yet to be released.
In these politically charged times, it is advisable to unplug this weekend because the coming week promises an abundance of political drama. Stay informed, stay engaged.
