Schumer directs Dems to to put pressure on Trump nominees ahead of confirmation hearings

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is urging his caucus to not hold back during confirmation hearings for President-elect Trump’s nominees for top roles. Schumer sees these hearings as an opportunity to grill Trump’s choices and ask them tough questions about the incoming president’s agenda. He instructed his party to press nominees on how they will specifically help carry out Trump’s campaign promises.
Schumer believes that the confirmation hearings are a chance to put Trump’s selections on the record on crucial issues that matter to working-class Americans, who have been key deciding votes in recent elections. Democrats plan to question nominees on their backgrounds and use this time to lay the groundwork for any future missteps from Trump appointees.
Confirmation hearings will kick off with Doug Collins for secretary of Veterans Affairs and Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary. Other nominees facing hearings this week include Gov. Kristi Noem for Homeland Security, Chris Wright for Energy Secretary, and Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State.
Despite Republicans holding a majority in the Senate, Democrats have the opportunity to influence the confirmation process through questioning nominees. Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren have expressed concerns about nominees like Hegseth, questioning their qualifications and behavior.
While some Democrats plan to support certain nominees like Rubio, the party as a whole is gearing up to pressure Trump’s picks and hold them accountable during the confirmation process. The hearings are expected to be rigorous, with Democrats aiming to thoroughly question nominees on a range of issues.
Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, is leading coverage of the U.S. Senate and will be closely following the confirmation hearings. Follow Julia’s reporting on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.