Natalie Kitroweth

Emily, thank you. Thank you. In a news conference on Thursday, President Trump suggested that efforts to diversify the ranks of the FAA and hire people with disabilities were to blame for the accident in Washington.

Emily, thank you. Thank you. In a news conference on Thursday, President Trump suggested that efforts to diversify the ranks of the FAA and hire people with disabilities were to blame for the accident in Washington.

When pushed on how he arrived at that conclusion, the president said he had no evidence but was relying on, quote, common sense. We'll be right back. Here's what else you need to know today. On Thursday, three of President Trump's cabinet nominees were questioned before the Senate.

When pushed on how he arrived at that conclusion, the president said he had no evidence but was relying on, quote, common sense. We'll be right back. Here's what else you need to know today. On Thursday, three of President Trump's cabinet nominees were questioned before the Senate.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, faced sharp questions about her stances on Syria and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, faced sharp questions about her stances on Syria and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

She refused to denounce Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information about government surveillance programs in 2013, eliciting concern from senators on both sides of the aisle.

She refused to denounce Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information about government surveillance programs in 2013, eliciting concern from senators on both sides of the aisle.

The tense hearing suggested Gabbard would face a challenging confirmation battle. In his hearing, Kash Patel, Trump's choice to run the FBI, tried to evade questions about whether he would investigate officials on a list of his perceived enemies and promised not to launch politically motivated investigations.

The tense hearing suggested Gabbard would face a challenging confirmation battle. In his hearing, Kash Patel, Trump's choice to run the FBI, tried to evade questions about whether he would investigate officials on a list of his perceived enemies and promised not to launch politically motivated investigations.

He sought to distance himself from Trump, going so far as to suggest that he disagreed with the president's decision to pardon the January 6th rioters.

He sought to distance himself from Trump, going so far as to suggest that he disagreed with the president's decision to pardon the January 6th rioters.

And in his second hearing for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his views on vaccinations in a tense session that featured shouting matches and a senator in tears.

And in his second hearing for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his views on vaccinations in a tense session that featured shouting matches and a senator in tears.

By the end, it was unclear whether Kennedy had persuaded one senator whose vote could be key to his future, the Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy.

By the end, it was unclear whether Kennedy had persuaded one senator whose vote could be key to his future, the Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy.

Cassidy's a doctor, and he expressed deep concern about what he called Kennedy's, quote, passive undermining confidence in vaccines. And he wondered whether Kennedy could change.

Cassidy's a doctor, and he expressed deep concern about what he called Kennedy's, quote, passive undermining confidence in vaccines. And he wondered whether Kennedy could change.

Kennedy can only afford to lose three Republican votes to win final confirmation. Later today, you can catch a new episode of The Daily right here. Michael Barbaro speaks with Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Swan, and Charlie Savage about President Trump's plan to make a more powerful presidency permanent. Today's episode was produced by Aastha Chaturvedi and Carlos Prieto.

Kennedy can only afford to lose three Republican votes to win final confirmation. Later today, you can catch a new episode of The Daily right here. Michael Barbaro speaks with Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Swan, and Charlie Savage about President Trump's plan to make a more powerful presidency permanent. Today's episode was produced by Aastha Chaturvedi and Carlos Prieto.