Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has hinted at significant resistance from Senate Republicans to some of President-elect Donald Trump’s most controversial Cabinet nominees. Thune’s comments suggest a brewing intra-party battle, with moderate and anti-Trump Republicans—often labeled as RINOs (Republicans in Name Only)—potentially standing in the way of confirmations for figures like Matt Gaetz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Speaking with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Thursday, Thune acknowledged Trump’s strong electoral mandate but tempered expectations about the ease of confirming his chosen Cabinet.
“President Trump had a huge mandate from the American people,” Thune said. “I always believe that you defer to a president when it comes to the people they want in their Cabinet.”
Despite this, Thune was quick to emphasize the Senate’s constitutional role in vetting nominees.
“Obviously, there is a process whereby we get down and scrub all these nominees and figure out whether or not, one, are they qualified and are they people fit to hold these offices,” Thune continued.
His comments suggest that the Senate GOP may not give Trump carte blanche in assembling his team. Thune specifically mentioned Matt Gaetz, Trump’s pick for Attorney General, as a nominee who could face heightened scrutiny.
“The ethics report on Gaetz will likely end up ‘out there’ at some point,” Thune hinted, referring to lingering controversies surrounding the Florida congressman.
Key moderate Republicans have already signaled resistance. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) expressed surprise and concern over the Gaetz nomination, while Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) emphasized the Senate’s “advice and consent” role in confirming Cabinet picks.
Murkowski pointed to the necessity of careful vetting:
“The Senate’s role is not just a rubber stamp. We have a responsibility to ensure these nominees are fit for the positions they’re entrusted with.”
Their comments suggest a growing coalition within the GOP that may work to derail Trump’s more polarizing choices.
Anticipating potential delays, Trump has advocated for the use of recess appointments to bypass Senate obstruction. Before Thune’s selection as Majority Leader, Trump issued a stark warning:
“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments… without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner.”
Recess appointments would allow Trump to temporarily install his nominees without Senate confirmation. However, this strategy requires the Senate to officially adjourn—a move that Thune suggests may also face resistance from within the GOP.
“You have to have all Republicans vote to recess,” Thune explained. “The same Republicans that might have a problem voting for somebody under regular order probably also have a problem voting to put the Senate in recess.”
Thune’s rise to Majority Leader follows the tenure of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who often clashed with Trump. While McConnell’s leadership was marked by judicial confirmations and legislative victories, Trump frequently criticized him for failing to move his agenda quickly enough, particularly during the early days of his first term.
Thune, seen by some as a more moderate successor, faces pressure to align with Trump’s priorities while managing internal divisions.
Trump’s Cabinet picks reflect his determination to shake up Washington, with figures like Gaetz and Kennedy promising bold, and in some cases controversial, leadership. Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally, has vowed to overhaul the Department of Justice, while Kennedy, known for his unorthodox views, would bring a unique perspective to any Cabinet post.
The potential resistance from Senate Republicans could significantly impact the administration’s ability to implement its agenda swiftly. Prolonged confirmation battles would not only delay critical appointments but could also set the tone for a contentious relationship between the White House and the Senate GOP.
Thune’s leadership will be tested in the coming weeks as he navigates the confirmation process. His challenge lies in balancing the demands of Trump’s base, who expect loyalty and action, with the concerns of more moderate senators wary of controversial appointments.
Whether Thune can unify the Republican caucus remains to be seen. His recent comments suggest he is preparing for a complex and potentially divisive confirmation process, one that could define the early days of Trump’s second term.
As the Senate gears up for what promises to be a contentious session, the battle lines are already being drawn. For Trump, securing his Cabinet picks will be a fight not just against Democrats but within his own party. For Thune, it will be a test of his ability to lead—and to survive—in a deeply divided Senate.
I think that We The People should have a say in who should be the Speaker of the House, Thune is already showing his loyalty to the Communist Democrats and he will be not only a thorn in President Trump’s side but Thune will give the Communist Democrats what they want in backroom deals.
As far as the rest of the Rinos, I wouldn’t allow them in on any of President Trump’s meetings or the Communist Democrats, just like they’ve done with the Republicans.
Get Thune the Hell out NOW.!!!
Agree
Roger that! However, Thune is in the Senate, not the House. I believe he is nothing much more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Like his joined at the hip Democrat ‘friends,’ he speaks with ‘forked tongue.’ Never Trumpers rarely change their spots, Greg Gutfeld a light in the darkness!
Thume was/is McConnell’s protege. His whole life has been political. Check it out. I did . He couldn’t hold a real job if he tried. As far as the two ladies, used loosely, they come from left leaning states and have been in office to long. We need term limits in both the House and Senate rather than the demise of the filibuster. Maybe there are more RINOs that need ousting as soon as possible.
I don’t see the Senate being deeply divided? What with the usually suspects: Collins and Murkowski who got re-elected again? God help ME & AK! Where have these 2 ladies been for the past 4 yrs they’ve seen Gaetz in action he accomplished more than Collins or Murkowski who just seem to be on the fence in most hearing turning into career old RINOS and they are going to vet him? Thats how come the gov’t makes the process look like a Joke. “We the People” voted to turn the page! Out with the usual swamp methods!! Mind you that don’t work!
I knew this might happen. You can’t replace a Rino with another Rino. We have to fight it and get President Trump’s agenda through.
Yes, definitely!
“Key moderate Republicans have already signaled resistance.” As noted, ‘The Usual Suspects!’ The GOP, Grand Old Putzes, are proficient at one thing only, COMPROMISING, a.k.a. CAVING to whatever their joined at the hip “friends” on the other side desire! History has proven that when given the reigns of POWER, those conflicted GOP people CANNOT govern. I have long maintained that America’s decline rests heavy on the heads of those TWO Parties that pretend to govern the nation. A major problem is America has a two Party system of governance, those being the ‘Democrat Party,’ and the ‘Democrat Lite Party,’ a.k.a. that GOP bunch! As John Stossel would say, “GIVE ME A BREAK.”
The American people spoke in this election. We are going to cut the heads off the snakes in the grass Rinos beware that the machetes are being sharpened. We are not going to sit back and have Rinos f-ck up Trumps and our agenda remember we the people chose we want major change don’t put your head in the grass chopping block. Americans mean business this time we stand with Trump if you don’t get the f-in out now. Trump is going to drain this cesspool government with the help of us outsiders voters.
Thune is a GOP RINO McConnell clone. Now the Fk’in GOP RINO’s voting with the Senate Democrats will deny Trump’s appointments in the Senate.
When Senator Scott was not selected I knew that would happen.
If that does not work the Deep State will try to kill him again!
It’s always Collins and Murkowski. Why they have the nerve to call themselves
Republicans, who knows. Doesn’t speak much for the GOP in their states.
Exactly what we knew would happen, if RINO was the senate leader.
The Communist Democrats are planning on total destruction.
Democrat governors just announced they are forming an “alliance” of governors to oppose the policies of President-elect Trump, especially on life.
Evil will not stop but will become more aggressive.
At the national level, U.S. senators are speaking up in favor of abandoning the filibuster to pass extreme bills before Trump takes office. This would override every state law with abortion up to birth, impose the LGBTQ agenda on everyone, and push election fraud that bans voter ID.
Democrat Senator Peter Welch (VT) said, “There’s risk in having a Senate that’s more dedicated to rules and procedures than it is to getting things done. It’s very dangerous for the Senate as an institution to simply not address extraordinarily important issues like reproductive freedom, like voting rights.”
To some in Congress, this move is being described as “worth the risk.”
Democrats are not hiding why they want to abolish the 60-vote filibuster rule in the Senate. Their number one priority is HR 12, the “Women’s Health Protection Act.” HR 12 is the most extreme abortion bill imaginable.
This push to blow up the Senate filibuster rule to pass abortion, LGBTQ, and election fraud is coming from Kamala Harris.
Communist Democrats’ top priorities are election fraud, murder, and the LGBTQ agenda! Abolishing the 60-vote filibuster rule requires a mere majority vote. Remember, Kamala Harris can break a tie. That means the filibuster is hanging by a thread. If the filibuster is abolished, every extreme agenda item will pass before the end of the year. Everything that we know and love about our nation would be lost.
These newborn babies will pay the ultimate price. America will not survive this tidal wave of blood. Liberty Counsel Action worked in Florida and beyond to stop the extreme abortion amendments.
But if the Senate abolishes the 60-vote filibuster rule. Not only will HR 12 pass, but so will HR 15 (“Equality Act”) and several bills that will foster voter fraud. Congress needs to hear from you NOW demanding they hold the line against Planned Parenthood and its baby-killing schemes. Fax Congress now to Protect Life, HR 12, and preserve the 60-vote filibuster rule.
HR 12 will prevent states from setting reasonable health and safety standards — standards designed to protect health such as the use of oxygen and sterile medical devices, doctor licenses, and other basic regulations.
When the Dobbs ruling overturned Roe v. Wade, we knew the abortion cult would not go away. We have been fighting Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Soros-funded Open Society on their march of death.
The beliefs of the Communist Democrat-backed HR 12 abortion bill is shocking.
Section 2.8 asserts that abortion creates “better maternal bonding.” How is it possible for mothers to bond “better” with a dead child?
Sections 2.17 claims that abortion bans cause a loss of “liberty, dignity, bodily autonomy, equality, due process, privacy, health, and freedom from cruel and inhumane treatment.” Yet all of this ignores the most gruesome and cruel treatment of these little children.
Section 2.20 states, “Abortion is one of the safest medical procedures in the United States.” But abortion is NEVER safe for the child, and often causes serious injury to the mother — including sterility. With each abortion performed, at least one person winds up dying.
But perhaps most eye popping of all of the federal abortion bill’s demonstrably false claims is found in Sections 2.12 and 2.13. In those sections, the abortion advocates claim that abortion bans are racist and primarily hurt minorities.
Ref vetting and RFK–Y’all did such a great job vetting “Rachell” Levine.
I saw this coming after Thune was elected in the secret meeting and Scott was not!
The GOP Senate RINO’s outnumber the GOP MAGA patriots 4 to 1. They will work with the Democrats to sabotage and replace all of Trump’s cabinet picks with RINO’s.
Ja gotta remove all the Senate Marxists and RINO Sycophants …FIRST!
Don’t much care how!
Put him in prison for already sabotaging what the people voted for Trump to drain the swamp. People like him and McDonald
Need to be indicated and sent to prison