‘You frighten people’: Top 5 most memorable moments from Wednesday’s Trump nominee hearings

The recent confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees were filled with intense exchanges, interruptions from protesters, and heartfelt testimonies as the Senate continues to work on filling out the administration.

One of the nominees facing tough questions was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated for secretary of Health and Human Services. During his hearing, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse expressed concerns about Kennedy’s stance on vaccines, stating that he frightens people with his views. Kennedy defended himself by noting that all of his children are vaccinated, pushing back against claims that he is anti-vaccine.

Protesters also disrupted Kennedy’s hearing, with one individual shouting “You lie” after Kennedy reiterated his support for vaccines.

Another emotional moment came during Howard Lutnick’s confirmation hearing for the Department of Commerce. Lutnick shared a heartbreaking story about his brother’s tragic death during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He spoke about how his brother, along with 657 friends from their financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald, perished in the World Trade Center. Lutnick emotionally described how he narrowly escaped death that day by taking his son to kindergarten.

During the hearings, there were also fiery exchanges between nominees and lawmakers. Senator Raphael Warnock accused Kennedy of comparing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to “Nazi death camps,” a claim that Kennedy vehemently refuted. He clarified that his intention was to empower scientists, not dismantle the CDC.

Additionally, Small Business Administration (SBA) nominee Kelly Loeffler defended President Trump against accusations of illegal actions. Senator Ed Markey claimed that Trump had acted illegally by firing inspectors general and freezing funding, but Loeffler argued that these actions were within the president’s rights and not illegal.

Overall, the confirmation hearings provided a platform for nominees to address tough questions and defend their qualifications for key positions in the Trump administration. The emotional testimonies, fiery exchanges, and interruptions from protesters added drama to the proceedings, highlighting the importance of thorough vetting and scrutiny in the confirmation process.