Senators That Could Have A Say In Trump Confirmations

It looks like President-elect Donald Trump may be gearing up for an early fight, but not the one people expect from Democrats—it’s coming from within his own party. While Trump’s election win in November seemed to cement his influence over the GOP, some of his Cabinet picks are already raising eyebrows. And not just among Democrats.

Four Republican senators are emerging as possible holdouts on his proposed lineup, specifically the nominations of former Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Pete Hegseth for defense secretary. Here’s a closer look at the “Fab Four” who might derail Trump’s Cabinet dreams.

First up is Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). Representing a swing state that’s been known to swing blue in non-presidential elections, Tillis is keeping an eye on his own political future, with reelection looming in 2026. He’s expressed a clear hesitation about supporting candidates with questionable track records.

"I will consider Matt Gaetz like I will anyone else," Tillis remarked, hinting at some skepticism. He’s made it clear that any nominee will have to present “a defensible resume and a really clean vetting” to secure his support. Gaetz, in particular, has reached out directly to Tillis, but it remains to be seen if this effort will sway the North Carolina senator.

Next, there’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a known centrist who’s frequently at odds with Trump. Murkowski isn’t shy about her stance, openly dismissing Gaetz as a “serious” candidate for attorney general.

In typically candid fashion, she quipped, “This one was not on my bingo card,” making it clear she’s skeptical of Trump’s pick. Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary didn’t fare much better in her eyes, as Murkowski expressed surprise that Hegseth’s name was even in the mix.

Then we have Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who has long been a prominent figure in the Senate. Though he publicly supported Trump’s 2024 run, insiders and a recent book have revealed deep-seated personal friction between him and Trump, dating back to the aftermath of the Jan. 6 events. McConnell was vocal about his disapproval of Trump’s behavior, remarking that it “underscores the good judgment of the American people” who voted him out in 2020.

While McConnell insists that the party stands united post-election, it’s unclear whether his private disdain will bleed into his stance on these controversial Cabinet nominees.

Finally, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) brings her complex history with Trump to the forefront. One of the few Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after Jan. 6, Collins has reservations about Gaetz, whose background is already under scrutiny due to an ongoing ethics investigation. While she hasn’t outright opposed Gaetz’s nomination, she pointedly noted that “background checks by the FBI and the advice and consent process in the Senate” are crucial, highlighting the role of public hearings in vetting high-profile nominees.