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Sen. Tammy Duckworth Opposes Trump’s Cabinet Nominees Amid Rising Tensions
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has announced her decision to vote against all of President Trump’s remaining Cabinet nominees as a demonstration of protest against the administration’s recent aggressive actions. Her statement, made public on Thursday, marks a notable shift in her stance, reflecting the growing discontent among Democrats in the Senate.
Initially, Duckworth supported the confirmation of Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the early hours of Trump’s administration, showcasing a willingness for bipartisan cooperation. However, this goodwill has quickly deteriorated as the political landscape has shifted.
In a recent turn of events, Duckworth changed her vote from “yes” to “no” on Trump’s nominees for Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, and Veterans Affairs Secretary, Doug Collins. This move highlights her deepening resistance to the president’s administration.
Currently, Trump has had 12 Cabinet nominees confirmed, with at least 10 more awaiting Senate floor votes. Despite Duckworth’s opposition, her stance is not expected to significantly influence the confirmation process, given the Republican majority in the 53-seat Senate. However, it underscores the increasing polarization between the two parties, as Democrats express outrage over the rapid approval of controversial nominees and policies.
In her statement, Duckworth emphasized, “Until Donald Trump and unelected billionaire Elon Musk end their unauthorized power grabs that are hurting the middle class and threatening our national security, I will be voting no on all remaining top-level cabinet nominees.” This firm declaration is part of broader allegations from Democrats that Musk and his associates are engaging in a hostile takeover of federal operations and misusing congressional funds.
Despite their grievances, Democrats face significant limitations in their ability to counter Trump’s agenda, holding only 47 seats in the chamber, which includes two independents who align with them. Many Senate Democrats, including Duckworth, have shifted from supporting nominees to opposing them as a protest strategy.
Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) also indicated they would place holds on all Trump State Department nominees, a tactic that can effectively stall confirmation votes indefinitely. This approach reveals that Democrats are seeking various ways to challenge Trump’s policies, both large and small.
Duckworth’s announcement follows a recent all-night protest staged by Democrats to postpone the vote on Russell Vought, Trump’s candidate for director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) articulated that the caucus’s opposition to Vought stems from an OMB memorandum that had temporarily halted all federal funding, which, although later rescinded, heightened concerns about the administration’s fiscal management and broader policy decisions.
In light of Trump’s controversial actions—including the initial suspension of foreign assistance, the restructuring of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Machinations related to classified information—Democrats are growing increasingly vocal about their dissent. Duckworth encapsulated this sentiment with her statement: “I refuse to aid and abet these illegal and harmful power grabs by voting for any of this Administration’s remaining cabinet-level nominees.”
Source
thehill.com