During Senate confirmation hearings on Thursday, three of President Donald Trump’s appointees faced rigorous questioning from Democrats, as well as some skepticism from their fellow Republicans, showcasing the mixed feelings within Trump’s party regarding his unconventional choices.

Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana challenged Robert F. Kennedy Jr., chosen by Trump as the health secretary, particularly on Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance. Cassidy expressed difficulty in supporting Kennedy, especially due to his previously debunked assertions that vaccines can cause autism.

Republican senators also grilled Tulsi Gabbard, nominated as director of national intelligence, about her views on Edward Snowden, the former NSA employee who leaked classified information. Gabbard notably refrained from labeling Snowden a traitor, which frustrated several of the questioning senators.

Kash Patel, nominated for the position of FBI director, revealed his disagreement with Trump regarding the presidential clemency given to supporters involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.

In other news, a Senate committee moved forward with the nomination of Russell Vought to head the Office of Management and Budget amid some controversies related to halting federal funding.

Kennedy, Gabbard, and Patel have been under significant scrutiny regarding their qualifications and past actions. All three faced intense questioning from Democrats during emotional hearings.

The dissent from Republican senators poses a greater challenge for Trump. He previously required Vice President J.D. Vance to cast a tie-breaking vote for the confirmation of his Defense nominee after three Republicans opposed the selection.

Here’s a rundown of the key takeaways from this significant day of hearings.

Cassidy’s Concerns About Kennedy

Senator Cassidy, who practices gastroenterology, has previously stated that he believes Kennedy is misinformed about vaccines. As a potential swing vote, Cassidy expressed his doubts clearly during the hearings.

Opening the session for Kennedy’s second day of confirmation, Cassidy asked whether Kennedy could definitively reassure Americans—especially mothers—that vaccines do not lead to autism.

Kennedy responded affirmatively, having been presented with supportive data. Still, Cassidy reiterated his concerns, pointing out that this data has existed for quite some time.

Other Republican senators, such as Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Susan Collins from Maine, also pressed Kennedy about his previous anti-vaccine statements. Notably, both had previously voted against Trump’s Defense nominee.

Using his medical expertise, Cassidy emphasized the importance of maintaining trust in vaccines, worrying that any misrepresentation could have fatal consequences. He questioned whether someone like Kennedy, who has long been critical of vaccines and financially linked to vaccine litigation, could effectively shift his views to benefit public health.

Cassidy articulated his struggle with Kennedy’s nomination, stating, “That is why I have been struggling with your nomination,” and told Kennedy he might reach out over the weekend regarding his final decision.

Having a legacy as an attorney, activist, author, and member of a prominent American political family, Kennedy aimed for the presidency in 2024—first as a Democrat, later transitioning to an independent before ultimately endorsing Trump, who then nominated him to head health agencies he has long criticized.

Gabbard Interrogated on Snowden

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate who supported Trump in 2024, has a controversial record that has raised eyebrows among some party members. Her past remarks sympathetic to leaders like Russia’s Putin and her critiques of U.S. intelligence agencies have come under scrutiny.

During the hearing, Gabbard attempted to distance herself from her earlier support for Snowden, who leaked over a million documents related to U.S. intelligence operations.

Multiple Republican senators challenged Gabbard on her stance, labeling Snowden a traitor for jeopardizing U.S. national security, in contrast to her past claims of him being a patriotic whistleblower.

Senator Collins criticized Gabbard’s 2020 bill, the “Protect Brave Whistleblowers Act,” asserting it could hinder the prosecution of those who leak classified information to adversaries.

Gabbard repeatedly acknowledged that Snowden “broke the law” but hesitated to label him as a traitor, which became a hot topic of contention among various senators.

Senator Young raised concerns about Gabbard’s reluctance to admit that Snowden had harmed national security, implying that such a stance may affect her perception among intelligence community members.

With his voice escalating, Senator Bennet pressed Gabbard directly, stating, “Is Edward Snowden a traitor? That is not a hard question to answer when the stakes are this high.” Gabbard’s deflection led to visible frustration from Bennet, highlighting the tension in their exchange.

Senator Moran confronted Gabbard about her views on Russia, seeking assurances that no nation would be spared in her policies. Gabbard defended herself, ensuring no country would receive preferential treatment if confirmed in her role.

The Senate still contains several Republicans with hawkish national security perspectives, and Gabbard’s nomination may test their willingness to stand by Trump’s choices.

Patel’s Break from Trump’s Stance on January 6

Kash Patel’s nomination has elicited worries among critics who perceive him as a loyalist likely to pursue vendettas against political adversaries of the president.

Yet, it emerged as significant that Patel expressed a difference of opinion with Trump regarding the handling of individuals involved in the January 6 incident who harmed police officers.

In response to a query from Senator Dick Durbin regarding whether Trump erred in extending clemency to these individuals, Patel acknowledged that while it is within Trump’s authority to do so, he disagrees with that approach.

During the hearing, when Durbin pressed Patel further, Patel stated that he has always condemned violence against law enforcement, including during the notorious January 6th attack on the Capitol in 2021.

“I do not support the commutation of any sentence for individuals who committed acts of violence against law enforcement,” Patel mentioned.

However, Patel did not refute Trump’s unfounded allegations that the 2020 election was fraudulent. When Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, asked Patel if Trump lost the 2020 election, insisting on a straightforward answer, Patel chose not to respond directly but acknowledged that Joe Biden became the president.

“President Biden’s election was certified. He was inaugurated and has served as the president of the United States,” Patel stated.

In response, Hirono remarked, “Once again, those completely loyal to President Trump can’t provide a clear answer to that question.”

Democrats criticized Patel right from the beginning of the hearing. Durbin claimed that he “lacks the experience, temperament, and judgment” needed to lead the FBI.

On the other hand, Republicans praised Patel. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, remarked that Patel’s career has been a testament to fighting for difficult yet just causes, exposing corruption, and prioritizing America’s interests.

Grassley commenced the hearing by expressing that the FBI has suffered from “abuse” and “weaponization,” losing the public’s confidence. However, later, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., advised Patel to focus on rebuilding the FBI rather than tearing it down. “Don’t go in there and destroy that agency. Elevate it. Clean it up, but do so respecting due process and the rule of law,” Kennedy said.

Democrats boycott as Vought advances to Senate floor

The Senate Budget Committee voted on Thursday to advance Russell Vought, Trump’s nominee for the Office of Management and Budget, for a full Senate vote. This vote, where all senators will determine whether to officially confirm Vought, is likely to occur next week. According to Reuters, Democrats on the Senate budget and appropriations committees attempted to delay the Thursday vote following a temporary halt on certain federal expenditures ordered by the Trump administration, but their attempt was unsuccessful.

This spending pause triggered significant backlash, resulting in a federal judge temporarily blocking it, and the White House later withdrew the OMB memo that initiated the controversy. The Budget Committee Democrats ultimately boycotted the vote, stating on X, previously known as Twitter, that “We will not support someone clearly unqualified for the position.” Additionally, Vought has faced scrutiny from Democrats regarding his connections to Project 2025, a comprehensive 920-page plan crafted by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, aimed at overhauling the federal government. He authored the chapter on executive power within Project 2025.