Washington Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. all flocked to Capitol Hill on Thursday for confirmation hearings, marking a pivotal day for President Donald Trump’s candidates.
The contenders for the positions of director of national intelligence, secretary of health and human services, and director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation have all caused controversy for the same reason: they have all made scathing attacks on the organizations they have been selected to head. Trump is trying to find out where the Republican-controlled Senate will draw the line between institutionalism and disruption.
Kennedy, Gabbard, and Patel all attempted to explain or minimize previous positions or statements that have caused them to upset senators who will determine their confirmation.
These are five things to remember from the Senate committee hearings that day.
A Republican chairman’s warning for Kennedy
At the conclusion of the hearing, Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., the chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, made some scathing comments about Kennedy’s lengthy history of anti-vaccine advocacy. Despite using “selected evidence to cast doubt” on proven treatments, Cassidy, a physician, said he agreed with Kennedy on concerns like processed foods and obesity.
“My concern is that if there is any false note, any undermining of a mama s trust in vaccines, another person will die from a vaccine-preventable disease,” Cassidy stated.
Cassidy stated, “And that is why I have been struggling with your nomination,” indicating that he has not yet decided how to vote and still has concerns for Kennedy, which is unusual for a Republican committee chair who has a Trump nominee.
Cassidy informed him that he might hear from him over the weekend.
Senator gets personal with Kennedy on autism
When Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., mentioned her son, who has cerebral palsy, the raucous hearing—which had included shouting battles, flailing arms, and a pounding gavel—came to a screeching halt.
As she talked about not having a go-by, Hassan became tearful. She asked herself, “What did I do when I was pregnant that might have caused the hydrocephalus that has so impacted his life?” Hassan then became adamant, telling Kennedy, “Please do not imply that anybody in this body of either political party does not want to know what the cause of autism is.”
It was one of several heated discussions that took place with Kennedy on Thursday. Kennedy was offered many opportunities to refute the idea that vaccines caused autism, but he refused.
Patel seeks distance from MAGA persona
Some senators were taken aback by how much Patel’s formulaic presentation before the Judiciary Committee on Thursday deviated from the MAGA flamethrower persona he has displayed on right-wing shows and social media for years.
He now claims that senior officials’ failure to deploy the national guard was the reason why “cowards in uniform” broke the “chain of command” during the response to January 6. He told senators that it was a “partial quotation” and advocated for targeting those “in the media,” either “criminally or civilly.” Even though Patel had previously stated his intention to punish Trump’s alleged enemies, he assured senators that the FBI would not pursue “no retributive actions” while he was in charge.
Some committee members were left perplexed by it.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., stated, “There is an incomprehensible difference between what this nominee has done and said in real life when left to his own devices and the seeming façade that is being built around him here today.” “Character is demonstrated by behavior. History also shows how dangerous it is for security chiefs in totalitarian governments to become into political power brokers. Vengeful, pompous, intemperate, partisan, and blindly devoted are some of the traits they frequently display. They are also submissive and resistant to criticism.
Patel breaks with Trump on Jan. 6 pardons
During intense interrogation, Patel broke with Trump over his decision to pardon or commute the sentences of some 1,500 criminal offenders, including those who admitted to attacking police officers on January 6. Patel maintained that some violent criminals should not be given a pass.
“I have always rejected any violence against law enforcement, and I have including in that group specifically addressed any violence against law enforcement on Jan. 6,” he stated. “And I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement.”
Trump’s decision to pardon the violent rioters is something he also opposes, according to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who introduced Patel and supported him during the hearing: “I’ve been thanking these Capitol police officers, and I told them I actually thought that the pardons of people who did harm to police officers sucked,” Tillis said.
Gabbard grilled on Edward Snowden
Gabbard, a Republican and former Democratic representative from Hawaii, was questioned about her capacity to navigate a U.S. intelligence system that she has long criticized and disagreed with on fundamental issues while serving as the DNI nominee.
Several Republican senators barraged her with questions over her prior endorsement of Edward Snowden, the former intelligence contractor who fled to Russia as a courageous whistleblower after leaking a wealth of sensitive material.
Gabbard stated that he “broke the law” and disclosed crucial information in the process, but she refrained from denying her earlier statements or labeling him a “traitor” as some committee members have done.
“Even as he broke the law, he released information that exposed egregious, illegal and unconstitutional programs that are happening within our government that led to serious reforms,” added Gabbard.
In addition, Gabbard was questioned on her changing views on FISA Section 702 warrantless surveillance of foreign targets. She had previously called for its repeal but had lately stated that she now supports it. She explained that she had previously opposed the program during congressional reauthorization because she wanted to draw attention to “egregious civil liberties violations that were occurring at that time” under it.
Separately, Gabbard responded, “Senator, I am offended by the question because my sole focus, commitment, and responsibility is about our own nation, our own security, and the interests of the American people,” in response to Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, who asked if Russia receives “a pass in either your mind or your heart.”