With Gabbard’s Confirmation and Kennedy’s Advancement, Trump’s Most Controversial Nominees Get Their Senate Blessing

Kennedy’s confirmation vote will be on Thursday, after Democrats hold a 30-hour marathon of speeches to delay the process.

AP
Tulsi Gabbard, then Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, left, pictured January 30, 2025, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, pictured January 29, 2025, at their confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill at Washington. AP

Despite months of hand-ringing about the possibility of defections from Senate Republicans on his most controversial nominees, every member of President Trump’s Cabinet is on track to win their confirmations following the Senate’s support of Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, and their decision to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the secretary of health and human services. 

Until recently, around half-a-dozen key senators were silent on how they felt about both Ms. Gabbard and Mr. Kennedy, though lawmakers apparently thought both nominees held their own in their respecting confirmation hearings despite some tough questioning. On Wednesday, Ms. Gabbard won her Senate confirmation vote with 52 votes in favor, and 48 votes against. 

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