Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) mentioned Saturday that congressional Democrats are ready to do “whatever it takes” in response to President-elect Trump’s Cupboard picks.
“The incoming Senate majority leader, John Thune, has said all options are on the table to get Trump the team he wants as quickly as possible, including, perhaps, recess appointment,” Rev. Al Sharpton requested Padilla on MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation.” “That would sidestep the confirmation process. What are Democrats prepared to do in response?”
“What are Democrats prepared to do in response? Whatever it takes, not just to uphold the Constitution of the United States, but you know … the interest of the people here,” Padilla mentioned in a clip highlighted by Mediaite.
“Donald Trump is way beyond making a mockery of what an incoming president should be [doing,] regardless of who’s in the majority of Congress,” Padilla mentioned.
“These are people who are far from being qualified to be in the position that Donald Trump wants them in,” he later added.
President Trump not too long ago introduced prime officers to serve in his administration together with Fox Information host Pete Hegseth for Protection secretary, former unbiased presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Well being and Human Providers secretary and former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for legal professional common, sparking backlash from congressional Democrats.
Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), who served within the Military, referred to as the selection of Hegseth to guide the Protection Division “not a serious pick.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) mentioned “we would be talking about going back to the, what, the 1700s, 1800s,” if Kennedy leads HHS.
“I was originally going to hold off on commenting on nominations at this stage but I cannot stay quiet here,” Senator-elect Andy Kim (D-N.J.) mentioned in a Wednesday put up on X. “I don’t need a confirmation hearing to know that Matt Gaetz is not qualified for Attorney General. I will not support his confirmation.”
The Hill has reached out to the Trump transition crew and Thune’s workplace for remark.
