Trump’s Handpicked Nominees To Face Potentially Damaging Confirmation Hearing

A number of cabinet appointments made by president-elect Donald Trump are set to hit a road block this week as Democrats mount an aggressive effort to block these nominations. Many of those appointed to assume important positions in Trump administration, including Jeff Sessions and Steven Mnuchin, will soon face confirmation hearings before the Senate.

Sessions, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, has been accused of racial discrimination. Those opposing his appointment have said that he “has a 30-year record of racial insensitivity, bias against immigrants, disregard for the rule of law and hostility to the protection of civil rights.”

Commenting on the issue on Monday, the president-elect had said that he was not concerned about Sessions’ chances, and called him a “high-quality man. Confirmation is going great. I think they’ll all pass … they’re all at the highest level”, he said.

Rex Tillerson, nominated to the office of the secretary of state, faces most danger as he has developed a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and may not have the support of all Republicans.

Steven Mnuchin, Trump's choice for treasury secretary, will also face a confirmation hearing before the Senate. He has remained under fire for his role with mortgage company OneWest, once investigated for potential violations of foreclosure laws.

According to NewsWeek, nine of Trump’s picks will face Senate questioning this week, including secretary of state, treasury, education, labour and health and human services. It is highly unlikely that Democrats will successfully block any of Trump’s picks as they are in minority. Republicans will need a majority of 51 votes to confirm appointments made by Trump and have 52 seats currently. Hearings are scheduled to begin on Wednesday (11 December).