Backbones are good. Excellent, in fact. See these nine senators:
Bowers News Media reports: “Here is a list of possible Republicans dissenters on these nominations, based in part on two articles from The Hill (see here and here):”
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Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who voted to impeach Trump, and as such is obviously not just going to roll over and give Trump whatever he wants;
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Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, who already sounds like he is a “no” on Hegseth;
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Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who voted to impeach Trump, represents a state Harris won, often bucks her own party, and is potentially vulnerable for re-election in 2026;
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Senator-elect John Curtis of Utah, who voiced support for censuring Trump in 2021, and has been vocal about the Senate defending its constitutional prerogatives;
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Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who is potentially vulnerable for re-election in 2026, and who, based on her background, votes and comments, might have a big problem with nominees like Hegseth who have been accused of sexual assault and who are opposed to women serving in combat roles;
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who also voted to impeach Trump, did not vote for Trump in 2024, and often bucks her own party;
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Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who obviously hates Trump, has demonstrated a repeated willingness to stand up to Trump, and who is also a defender of Senate prerogatives;
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Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is legitimately vulnerable for re-election in 2026;
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Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, who did not endorse Trump for president in 2024.
The Senate has 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, plus VP JD Vance (remember him?) can use his veto power, so do the math: It will take four of these Senators (or others) to join Democrats to stop Trump’s appointees from being confirmed. We’ll report more details in our next writings, but so far, Trump’s appointees who have made the most egregious shocking list include:
- Matt Gaetz as Attorney General — who has already been knocked off the list
- Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense — completely unqualified, accused of sexual assault, has Hitler’s tattoos on his chest, failed security clearance in the past, and most recently, admitted to five affairs in his first 5-year marriage. (As someone recently asked, “How did he have any time for his wife?” … Well, I guess that’s why he is divorced. Just a truly bad guy.
- RFK Jr., for Secretary of Health and Human Services, opposed so many kinds of medical research that I’ve lost count.
- Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence who has a reputation of standing with Putin and also Syria’s dictator.
- Kash Patel for FBI Director who has a long career centered on grievances, not justice.
We’ll report the details on each over the next few days and, if each makes it to confirmation, report on the confirmation hearings.