When Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton speaks, people listen. Whether those “listeners” are Republicans, Democrats, or members of the media, Cotton’s words carry weight.
This is not to suggest that “all of the above” agree with the Arkansas senator, but they do know that he’s a no-nonsense, bottom-line guy. So when Cotton posted to X (formerly, Twitter) that he suspects that all of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees will be confirmed by the GOP-controlled Senate, chances are he had already done his homework before making such a statement.
I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) December 9, 2024
In a subsequent tweet, Cotton said that no one should be surprised that the Senate will confirm all of Trump’s nominees while also including a bit of a history lesson.
Of the 72 cabinet secretary nominees since the Clinton transition, only 2 nominees have ever received NO votes from the president-elect’s party.
No one should be surprised that the Republican Senate will confirm President Trump’s nominees.
The word “resolute” comes to mind.
Of the 72 cabinet secretary nominees since the Clinton transition, only 2 nominees have ever received NO votes from the president-elect’s party.
No one should be surprised that the Republican Senate will confirm President Trump’s nominees.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) December 9, 2024
Cotton was elected in November as the Senate Republican Conference chair, the third most senior role in the chamber. His bold prediction is the strongest indication yet that congressional Republicans — at least in the Senate — are ready to get down to work and hit the ground running when Trump is sworn in.
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Perhaps Trump’s most controversial nominee (which is nonsense, re: controversial) is former “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Pete Hegseth, who the president-elect chose to become his Secretary of Defense. Hegseth has faced stiff opposition, including from several congressional Republicans, mostly notably Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst.
Trump posted his continuing support for Hegseth on Truth Social Friday.
Pete Hegseth is doing very well. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
Trump also told NBC’s “Meet the Press” in an interview recorded on Friday that he believes Hegseth will be confirmed and that he still has confidence in him.
RELATED: OPINION: Pete Hegseth Is on the Path to Confirmation
Among other Trump nominees, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary for Health and Human Services, Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, and Kash Patel as the Director of the FBI have faced opposition, as well.
It’s also worth noting that former Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz “voluntarily withdrew” as Trump’s choice for U.S. Attorney General after several Republican senators indicated they wouldn’t support his confirmation.
Still, now that the Gaetz dust has settled, I’ll go out on a limb and predict that Cotton will be proved right.
