Congress
What we’re watching: Ernst appears warmer on Hegseth
Here’s what we’re watching in transition world today:
🗓️ What we’re watching
- Sen. Joni Ernst appeared more open to supporting Pete Hegseth as Pentagon chief after the pair met Monday for a second time, although she did not explicitly say whether she’d back Trump’s embattled defense pick.
- Ersnt’s new openness to Hegseth comes after a swarm of MAGA attacks, which could serve as a warning for other senators who complicate the confirmation process for Trump’s Cabinet picks.
🚨What’s up with the nominees?
- Tulsi Gabbard kicked off her bid to win Senate support as America’s new top spy on Monday by wooing Republican defense hawks with her first visit to Blue Light News since Trump announced plans to nominate her.
📝ICYMI: Here are the latest Cabinet picks
- Trump said Monday that he will nominate Harmeet K. Dhillon, the former vice chair of the California GOP, to be the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Department of Justice
- Trump announced Monday that he has asked attorney Mark Paoletta to be general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget