It’s already shaping up to be a busy week on Capitol Hill, with Congress gearing up for over a dozen high-profile hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Lawmakers are eager to confirm these picks quickly after his inauguration on January 20, but the process could prove more challenging than anticipated.
Some of Trump’s nominees are expected to have an easier path to confirmation than others. For example, GOP Senator Marco Rubio is anticipated to sail through his confirmation hearing for secretary of state, while defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth may face a tougher road to securing the role.
Despite holding a Senate majority, Republicans, including Texas Senator John Cornyn, are bracing for a potentially contentious confirmation process. “We’re going to have a little bit of a train wreck next week with the confirmation hearings,” Cornyn told reporters last week. “But I’m glad we’re getting those done, and the FBI background checks will naturally be part of the process.”
Here’s the confirmation hearings schedule and what the actual confirmation process entails.
When do the confirmation hearings start and what’s the schedule?
The hearings are set to kick off on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 9:00 a.m. ET. Former Georgia Rep. Doug Collins is up first, followed by Hegseth. Then former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, for secretary of the interior, will round out the day’s proceedings.
On Wednesday, the hearings will feature Rubio and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was nominated by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Also on the agenda are South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who was selected to head the Department of Homeland Security, and former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, who was chosen to lead the CIA. Russell Vought, Trump’s former Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, has been tapped to reprise his role. Additionally, former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy is up for transportation secretary, while oil and gas industry executive Chris Wright has been nominated as energy secretary.
Thursday’s hearings will include another day of Bondi appearing before senators for questioning. (She’s expected to be among the most closely watched potential Cabinet members amid concerns over her loyalty to Trump and how that could impact the DOJ.)
Also on the list is former GOP Representative Lee Zeldin, Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, and hedge fund executive Scott Bessent, nominated for Treasury Secretary. Former NFL player Eric Scott Turner is set to appear as Trump’s choice for Housing and Urban Development Secretary.
Other hearings will be scheduled in the coming days and weeks, though some of the most contentious nominees have yet to be assigned dates. Among them is Robert Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, nominated to lead U.S. National Intelligence, also awaits her hearing. Reportedly, a “paperwork issue” with the Office of Government Ethics is causing delays in her appearance.
How does a nominee get confirmed?
Each pick’s confirmation will largely depend on how well they weather intense questioning from senators over their background, qualifications, and views.
For example, Democrats are expected to question Hegseth about past sexual assault allegations, which he has denied, as well as his previous statements opposing women in combat roles. Similarly, lawmakers from both parties are likely to press RFK Jr. on his controversial stances regarding abortion, vaccines, and food policy.
Some nominees that require security clearance could undergo additional vetting, including an FBI background check.
After these hearings are complete, members will decide whether to confirm them in a full Senate vote. Republicans hold 53 seats in the upper chamber, and nominations require a simple majority, meaning theoretically, most of Trump’s picks should be confirmed once Trump takes office next week.
Despite the anticipated drama, it’s rare for the Senate to reject a president’s nominee. In fact, the only instance in modern history occurred in 1989, when senators rejected then-President George H.W. Bush’s nominee for defense secretary, Senator John Tower. Former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was Trump’s initial AG pick, could have faced a similar fate if he hadn’t stepped down following a federal sex trafficking investigation.
Though one of Trump’s picks could still fail to get enough support, he’d likely pull the nomination before it gets to that point — either that or find a workaround. After all, the incoming president has already suggested bypassing the traditional confirmation process by using recess appointments.
Presidents like Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton utilized recess appointments, though these were typically reserved for lower-level positions rather than Cabinet roles. However, this approach comes with limitations — most notably, recess appointments are temporary and expire at the end of the next Senate session, usually aligning with the calendar year.
Trump may also appoint some as “acting” heads of agencies, a strategy he frequently employed during his first term. However, by law, these acting officials can only serve for a few months, potentially leading to another rotating cast of characters.
