WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump, who views his 2024 triumph as confirmation of a voter yearning for disruption, is set to begin his second term by presenting an unusual slate of nominations to the Senate for influential executive branch jobs.
However, what level of disturbance will America’s cooling saucer accept?
By successfully blocking Trump’s nomination of far-right former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general because to claims of sexual misconduct and doubts about his qualifications, the soon-to-be Republican-led chamber is already demonstrating its limitations.
Republicans can lose no more than three votes to confirm nominees without needing some bipartisan support because the Senate will be divided between 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats in the upcoming session. Vice President-elect JD Vance can break a 50/50 tie.
These nine senators are important to keep an eye on throughout the nomination contests.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine
The only other Republican senator from a blue state is the centrist Republican, who has served five terms. Because of her willingness to occasionally defy her party, such as when she voted to convict Trump on impeachment accusations of instigating an insurgency on January 6, 2021, she has managed to survive politically.
Collins is anticipated to be a prominent Democratic target because she plans to compete for re-election in 2026 in a state that Trump recently defeated by 7 points. Collins will have the chance to show off her independence if she votes against some of Trump’s more radical or contentious cabinet choices.
Collins will soon be the chair of the influential Appropriations Committee, which adds another dimension to her role. In addition to providing her with a chance to reach bipartisan agreements on government spending legislation, it may strengthen her loyalty to the party that is giving her that desired position.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska
Murkowski, a member of the rare species known as moderate Republicans, is expected to have a big say in Senate votes on some of Trump’s most contentious choices and initiatives. Murkowski has already demonstrated her willingness to speak out against Trump’s cabinet choices by telling reporters, “I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for the attorney general,” regarding the Gaetz pick. Lisa Murkowski holds that opinion.
Murkowski’s votes on health care-related appointments and a possible new Supreme Court vacancy may be influenced by the fact that she is one of the few Republicans who favors restoring the abortion-right safeguards found in Roe v. Wade. In deep-red Alaska, she won’t be running for reelection until 2028.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.
No one considers the new majority leader to be an ultra-MAGA Republican, but he knows that his job is to further the Trump agenda. Thune will need to strike a balance between that and his institutionalist tendencies, which have won him admiration from all parties.
The first significant test of his leadership style will be the nominations. Where does he show Trump deference? At what point does he stop? Does he decide to act as a heat shield for members who wish to oppose Trump in private but not in public? What is his approach to handling his connection with Trump?
The responses will establish the tone for the Senate GOP’s eagerly anticipated new era.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
After a record 18 years, McConnell resigns as Senate Republican leader, making him the ultimate free agent. His disputes and arguments with Trump are widely known. McConnell’s approach as the head of the Republican Party was to read and follow the political currents in his party. He doesn’t have to now. He has two more years left on his Senate tenure and will turn 83 in a few months. He might use the cabinet nominees as a chance to show off his strength and influence Trump’s agenda with his vote.
Will McConnell reject certain Trump picks by using his influence and caucus goodwill reservoir? Or will he take the risk of complying with the MAGA leader’s requests? So far, he has provided one hint: At least five Republican senators, including Collins and Murkowski, privately stated that they would not support Gaetz for AG, although McConnell remained silent on the matter.
An outspoken Russia hawk who supports NATO and the post-World War II order, McConnell has indicated that he intends to fight the isolationist tendencies that have taken root in Trump’s America First program for the next several years. For instance, how would he react to former Representative Tulsi Gabbard’s pro-Russia stance as Trump’s choice for national intelligence director?
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.
After won his first two elections by fewer than two points, Tillis will be up for reelection in 2026. In a year with scant Senate pickup possibilities, he will surely be a target for Democrats. Even for a Republican, North Carolina is a challenging state; he will need to be renominated by a GOP base that can draw far-right individuals while balancing that with appealing to the purple state’s general vote.
In a cycle where the president-elect won’t be on the ballot to support him like he did in 2020, how closely does Tillis adhere to Trump? The clue will come from the nominations.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.
Cassidy will likely be in the spotlight as the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee going into a Trump administration. Although the Senate Finance Committee will be responsible for reporting the nominee to the entire Senate, his committee is anticipated to investigate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as the Health and Human Services Secretary. Additionally, Cassidy, a doctor himself, has kept his feelings regarding the vaccine skeptic under wraps.
Cassidy will also be deeply involved in any conversations regarding the future of health care policy, including Medicare and Medicaid, in his capacity as chairman of HELP.
His vote to convict Trump in his impeachment trial for inciting an uprising, along with any disagreement over candidates, might influence Trump’s decision to back Cassidy or a possible primary opponent when he runs for reelection in 2026.
Sen.-elect John Curtis, R-Utah
Many are unsure if Curtis, who is taking over the position left empty by outgoing Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney, would be more like his predecessor, the institutionalist, or fellow Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee, a hard-righter who has turned into a Trump buddy. Something in the center could be the answer.
He is neither Donald Trump nor Mitt Romney. Former Florida GOP Representative Carlos Curbelo recently told NBC News that he has his own brand and was very open about it throughout both his primary and general election campaigns.
Curtis said of Trump, “I’m not going to give him an unconditional yes to anything that he wants,” during his June primary debate.
By joining the private resistance to Gaetz, Curtis has already made his presence known. However, Gaetz was only the first significant test for Senate Republicans in a second Trump administration, which begs the question: Will Curtis be as much of a check on Trump as Romney was on policy and nominees?
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.
In the Capitol’s corridors, Fetterman has established a reputation for his direct, blunt communication style (as well as his attire). However, Fetterman has also distinguished himself by defying the left wing of his party with his unwavering support for Israel in spite of the civilian deaths brought on by its military war in Gaza and his claim that Democrats had lost their way on important matters like immigration.
For Democrats, Fetterman’s voice might be crucial in a party that is currently going through some introspection. and has stated that he is prepared to back some of Trump’s Cabinet appointments, such as Mehmet Oz, his former 2022 opponent, to lead Medicare and Medicaid.
Fetterman told NBC News, “He’s going to choose people who will disagree with me and they won’t be my first choice.” “Well, that’s just the way democracy tends to operate. I refuse to join in on the group freakouts.
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga.
In a state where Trump just ended a Democratic winning streak that began with the first-term senator’s victory in the 2020 election, Ossoff is up for reelection in 2026. Next cycle, he will most likely be a major GOP target for defeat. He may have some chances to demonstrate his nonpartisan credentials through the executive nominees, at least in regards to Trump’s more popular choices.
The confirmation battles will also provide some early hints as to how Ossoff is planning to position himself ahead of an undoubtedly difficult re-election bid in Georgia, where Democrats will seek to prove that their victories in 2020 and 2022 were not a fluke.
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