On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump’s selected team for his upcoming administration began to take center stage during several Senate confirmation hearings, featuring spirited debates and instances of bipartisan agreement.

After a heated hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, Pam Bondi, nominated for Attorney General, faced intense scrutiny. In contrast, Marco Rubio, nominated for Secretary of State, won praise from Democrats.

Other nominees that appeared before Senate committees on Wednesday included Chris Wright for Energy Secretary, John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, Sean Duffy for Transportation Secretary, and Russell Vought for OMB Director.

The nominees closely aligned with Trump, with Bondi not admitting that the president-elect lost the 2020 election. They answered questions concerning various issues, from Ukraine to Project 2025 and the independence of the Department of Justice.

Here are some key points.

Alignment with Trump

During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump often had disagreements with key figures in his administration.

Now, he is nominating individuals who are closely aligned with him and less likely to challenge his views.

Democrats repeatedly questioned Bondi during her Attorney General hearing about whether Trump lost the 2020 election. She would not confirm this, stating only that she recognized Joe Biden as president.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, expressed concern, saying, “It’s troubling that you can’t acknowledge that reality.”

When asked about a supposed enemies list, an allusion to a book by Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI Director, Bondi asserted, “The Department of Justice will never maintain an enemies list.” Similarly, Ratcliffe stated that he wouldn’t make hiring or firing decisions based on political affiliation.

When asked about fears that Trump would target his political opponents, Bondi claimed it was Democrats who were politicizing the DOJ and promised to maintain its neutrality. Ratcliffe emphasized the need for significant reforms at the CIA, an agency often criticized by Trump.

Democratic Concern Continues

Many Democrats are worried about Trump’s potential retribution agenda through the DOJ and pressed Bondi on this topic during her hearing.

Bondi, a close ally of Trump and former attorney general of Florida, had previously defended him during his first impeachment and appeared in Pennsylvania shortly after the 2020 election, asserting Trump had won while votes were still being counted.

While Democrats acknowledged Bondi’s qualifications, they raised concerns about her ability to run the DOJ impartially and resist any political interference in prosecutions.

Bondi had tense exchanges with California Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, assertively telling Padilla, “I will not be bullied by you.”

Despite the heated moments, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina predicted Bondi would easily get confirmed, possibly with some Democratic support.

Democrats are trying to navigate the new Trump era after experiencing defeats in various swing states and the overall popular vote, trying to determine how aggressively they want to confront Trump and his nominees.

While the resistance that Trump faced during his first term may not be as strong, the tough questioning directed at Hegseth and Bondi indicates that it persists.

Positive Reception for Some Nominees

While Trump’s more controversial Cabinet selections have garnered significant attention, some nominees have found themselves enjoying a smoother confirmation process.

Rubio was met with a warm welcome from Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he previously served. New Hampshire’s Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the committee, complimented Rubio, stating, “You have the qualifications and skills to be an effective Secretary of State.” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., also praised Rubio, saying, “The president made a wise choice in selecting you. You are a thought leader in foreign policy.”

Both Duffy and Ratcliffe had relatively straightforward hearings on Wednesday, receiving accolades from both parties. Ratcliffe, having previously served as the director of national intelligence under Trump and on the House Intelligence Committee, was recognized as well-qualified.

Support from MAGA Activists

Republicans appear to be rallying behind Trump’s nominees, even those facing criticism.

MAGA supporters have initiated a vigorous campaign, reaching out to senators’ offices in support of the nominees and warning of primary challenges for GOP lawmakers who do not align with them.

Mike Davis, leader of The Article III Project, stated that his organization facilitated thousands of volunteer contacts with senators backing Hegseth for Defense Secretary, and another 40,000 for Patel as FBI Director.

GOP senators warmly welcomed Hegseth on Tuesday, including Iowa’s Joni Ernst, a crucial swing vote, who pledged her support for Hegseth.

Republicans continued to unite behind Trump’s picks on Wednesday, particularly Bondi.

While Democrats fear Bondi would pursue a retribution agenda for Trump, Republicans believe she is precisely the person the DOJ requires.

“Ms. Bondi, your testimony is music to my ears,” remarked John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., stated that Bondi’s close relationship with Trump is an asset. “A trusting relationship with the president is a positive aspect,” Graham noted.

Anticipation of Change

Trump’s aggressive campaign promised significant alterations to military, federal law enforcement, and immigration policies.

He has now appointed individuals to key roles who are seen as loyal supporters passionate about his agenda. It is clear that they plan to advance Trump’s disruptive promises in the coming days.

Hegseth labeled himself a “change agent” during his opening remarks. He criticized military clean energy initiatives, suggesting they could be reversed along with diversity programs.

“If confirmed, my Secretary of the Navy will not prioritize climate change,” Hegseth stated.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., described Hegseth as a refreshing change, saying, “This election was about disruptors versus the establishment.”

Running as a candidate of change is a familiar tactic, successfully used by former President Barack Obama as a Democrat.

Trump’s agenda signifies a desire for an overhaul of various federal agencies. He has been particularly vocal in his criticism of federal law enforcement and intelligence officials.

Bondi’s hearing frequently addressed the topic of DOJ independence, which Trump has accused of being “weaponized” against him, even as he threatens to pursue his political adversaries.

Bondi commented on Wednesday that the DOJ has many dedicated individuals, but reforms are crucial. “We need to eliminate politics from the system. This department has been weaponized for far too long, and that must come to an end,” she stated.

Project 2025’s Unwelcome Shadow

Project 2025, a strategic outline for a second Trump term compiled by the conservative Heritage Foundation, haunted the president-elect throughout his campaign.

Democrats scrutinized the document for its controversial elements, continuously challenging Trump until he distanced himself from it.

Trump expressed to Time Magazine that Heritage “complicated my election” by publishing the plan, yet he brought some of its creators into his new administration, including Russell Vought as head of OMB.

The implications of the document emerged during Vought’s confirmation hearing.

“Mr. Vought, you are one of the authors of Project 2025, which outlines unlawful and hazardous plans for this new administration,” Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., remarked during Wednesday’s session.

Peters continued, stating, “I have serious doubts about whether you can be trusted to implement the laws established by Congress.”

Project 2025 also surfaced during Duffy’s hearing for Transportation Secretary, where he brushed off concerns from Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., regarding its implications for consumer projections.

“I have not read Project 2025,” Duffy claimed. “Therefore, I am not aware of its contents, but the president will determine policy, and he selected me as Secretary… The President has distanced himself from it; it does not form part of his agenda.”

Contributors: Josh Meyer, Aysha Bagchi, Bart Jansen, Savannah Kuchar, and Sudiksha Kochi.