Tim Pierce

You know, John, Trump said he was going to hit the ground running on Inauguration Day. But with the slate of hearings we have, it seems like he's getting the ball rolling a week early. 13 of his 15 cabinet nominees have hearings scheduled this week. That's everybody except HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Labor Department pick Lori Chavez de Riemer, two of Trump's more controversial picks.

But that doesn't mean this week is going to be without controversy. Things are starting off on a relatively easy note at 9 a.m. when Veterans Affairs nominee Doug Collins meets with the Veterans Affairs Committee. But at 9.30, we have what will likely be the most watched hearing of the season as Pete Hegseth takes the hot seat before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

But that doesn't mean this week is going to be without controversy. Things are starting off on a relatively easy note at 9 a.m. when Veterans Affairs nominee Doug Collins meets with the Veterans Affairs Committee. But at 9.30, we have what will likely be the most watched hearing of the season as Pete Hegseth takes the hot seat before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Well, listeners may remember that there have been two main criticisms of Hegseth. The first is that he was unqualified for the job, which usually goes to a general or a top Pentagon official. Here's Wyoming Senator John Barrasso on that.

Well, listeners may remember that there have been two main criticisms of Hegseth. The first is that he was unqualified for the job, which usually goes to a general or a top Pentagon official. Here's Wyoming Senator John Barrasso on that.

But even more notable were the attacks on Hegseth's personal life. Reports surfaced that a woman accused him of sexual assault in 2017, and stories began circulating that Hegseth was often drunk at work at Fox. Hegseth says the 2017 encounter was consensual and a police investigation resulted in no charges being filed.

But even more notable were the attacks on Hegseth's personal life. Reports surfaced that a woman accused him of sexual assault in 2017, and stories began circulating that Hegseth was often drunk at work at Fox. Hegseth says the 2017 encounter was consensual and a police investigation resulted in no charges being filed.

And around a dozen of Hegseth's Fox co-workers dismissed the claims of him drinking as totally ludicrous. He later dismissed those claims in an interview with Megyn Kelly.

And around a dozen of Hegseth's Fox co-workers dismissed the claims of him drinking as totally ludicrous. He later dismissed those claims in an interview with Megyn Kelly.

Just yesterday, Punchbowl News reported that senators have been told Hegseth's FBI background check was, quote, unremarkable. So we should expect Republicans to lean heavily on that while Democrats keep up their same criticisms.

Just yesterday, Punchbowl News reported that senators have been told Hegseth's FBI background check was, quote, unremarkable. So we should expect Republicans to lean heavily on that while Democrats keep up their same criticisms.

Well, that one's going to be a lot less interesting, which is no doubt a relief for Collins. He's a veteran himself and a former congressman, and the VA is a historically troubled department. So senators are really just looking for someone with a proven commitment to helping vets, and they've got that in Collins. He's got tons of support from Republicans and not much pushback from Democrats.

Well, that one's going to be a lot less interesting, which is no doubt a relief for Collins. He's a veteran himself and a former congressman, and the VA is a historically troubled department. So senators are really just looking for someone with a proven commitment to helping vets, and they've got that in Collins. He's got tons of support from Republicans and not much pushback from Democrats.

So this is probably going to be one of the easier confirmation hearings.

So this is probably going to be one of the easier confirmation hearings.

Yeah, tomorrow's the big day with seven hearings scheduled. That includes Kristi Noem, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, and Marco Rubio, his choice for the State Department. Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi will have the first of two hearings tomorrow and will wrap up on Thursday when Treasury nominee Scott Besant and EPA pick Lee Zeldin will also take center stage.

Yeah, tomorrow's the big day with seven hearings scheduled. That includes Kristi Noem, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, and Marco Rubio, his choice for the State Department. Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi will have the first of two hearings tomorrow and will wrap up on Thursday when Treasury nominee Scott Besant and EPA pick Lee Zeldin will also take center stage.

Also appearing Thursday is North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, whose hearing was originally scheduled for today, but got pushed at the 11th hour. Now, you may think that will be another easy one. Burgum's pretty non-controversial, he was in the spotlight a lot during his presidential campaign, and the Department of the Interior just isn't something lawmakers tend to get excited about.

Also appearing Thursday is North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, whose hearing was originally scheduled for today, but got pushed at the 11th hour. Now, you may think that will be another easy one. Burgum's pretty non-controversial, he was in the spotlight a lot during his presidential campaign, and the Department of the Interior just isn't something lawmakers tend to get excited about.

But remember, Trump also tapped Burgum to lead the newly created National Energy Council, where he'll be in charge of bolstering fossil fuel production. So we're already hearing reports that Democrats are going to grill Burgum about that and try to get him to commit to protecting certain land from drilling.