Trump’s Cabinet picks are set for Senate hearings. Here’s the schedule
After the initial massive personnel announcements for the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, the nomination process now officially begins.
Senate hearings are scheduled for next week for several of Trump’s Cabinet picks. Many met with senators individually. Now they will appear before the committees that oversee the agencies Trump wants them to run.
Here’s a look at the schedule for Senate hearings so far, in eastern time:
9:00 am: Doug CollinsDepartment of Veterans Affairs
The former Georgia congressman is up first, before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Collins is a Baptist minister, former U.S. Navy chaplain and Air Force Reserve colonel. The VA provides health care to former members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
9:30 am: Piet HegsethMinistry of Defense
The former “Vos & Friends’ weekend host and Army National Guard combat veteran goes before the Senate Armed Services Committee after weeks of meetings in which some senators have questioned his suitability for the role amid allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. The Pentagon chief’s authority over the US military is second only to that of the president.
10:00 am: Doug BurgumDepartment of the Interior
The former North Dakota governor and businessman is appearing before members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who will consider his nomination to become Secretary of the Interior, the top steward of America’s public lands. Burgum, who endorsed Trump after ending his own presidential bid in 2024 and campaigned for Trump, has also been tapped to take charge. National Energy Council. Trump has said the council will seek to establish American “energy dominance” around the world.
9:00 am: Kristi NoemDepartment of Homeland Security
The governor of South Dakota will appear before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The farmer and former congressman is poised to lead one of the government’s largest agencies, an integral part of Trump’s pledge to secure the border and carry out a massive deportation operation.
9:30 am: Pam BondiMinistry of Justice
Florida’s former attorney general is making the first of two scheduled appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was Trump’s choice for attorney general, hours after his first choice, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration. Gaetz faced questions about a federal investigation into sex trafficking and a Investigation by the House of Representatives Ethics Committee in allegations that he paid for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl.
Bondi has been a fixture in Trump’s circle for years. The attorney general will be one of the most closely watched Cabinet members, given concerns among Democrats that Trump will try to bend the Justice Department to his will.
10:00 am: Sean DuffyDepartment of Transport
The former Wisconsin congressman, who also co-hosted Fox Business, will be questioned by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The department oversees pipelines, railroads, automobiles, trucks, airlines and mass transit systems, as well as highway financing.
10:00 am: John RatcliffeC.I.A
Ratcliffe, director of national intelligence for the final months of Trump’s first term, appears before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The former Texas congressman is poised to lead the nation’s top spy agency, responsible for covert foreign operations and collecting data on U.S. adversaries.
10:00 am: Marco RubioMinistry of Foreign Affairs
The Florida senator has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering his nomination for secretary of state. As head of the State Department, Rubio would oversee the U.S. Foreign Service, advise Trump on diplomatic appointments and conduct negotiations with foreign leaders on behalf of the administration.
10:00 am: Chris WrightEnergy Department
The fossil fuels executive, who has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to combat climate change, is appearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The secretary oversees energy generation and use in the United States, as well as the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. Wright would also join Burgum on the National Energy Council.
1:00 PM: Russell VoughtOffice of Management and Budget
Vought, OMB director during Trump’s first term, will go before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Vought was heavily involved Project 2025a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that the Republican candidate tried to distance himself from during the campaign. The budget director oversees the construction of the president’s budget and the review of proposed regulations.
10:00 am: Scott TurnerDepartment of Housing and Urban Development
The former NFL player who ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in Trump’s first term appears at a hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Turner is a professional mentor, pastor and former member of the Texas House. Charged with addressing the nation’s housing needs and fair housing laws, HUD oversees housing for the poorest Americans.
10:00 am: Lee ZeldinEnvironmental Protection Agency
The former New York congressman appears before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The agency is charged with matters related to environmental protection, conducting assessments, research, education, and maintaining and enforcing national standards.
10.15am: Bondi, Day 2 before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
10:30 am: Scott BessentMinistry of Finance
The billionaire money manager from South Carolina answers questions from members of the Senate Finance Committee. Bessent would be the first openly LGBTQ Senate-confirmed Cabinet member in a Republican administration. The head of the Ministry of Finance helps formulate financial, economic and fiscal policies and manage the national debt.
No hearings have yet been scheduled for all of Trump’s picks, including some of the most controversial:
Lori Chavez-DeRemerDepartment of Labor
Tulsi GabbardOffice of the Director of National Intelligence
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Department of Health and Human Services
Howard LutnickCommerce Department
Linda McMahonDepartment of Education
Kas PatelFBI
Brooke RollinsMinistry of Agriculture
Elise StefanikUN Ambassador
___
Kinnard reported from Chapin, South Carolina, and can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP.