For the second day in a row, the United States Senate has been vetting President Donald Trump's nominees for office. cabinetinforming people about their background and qualifications.
Wednesday was a busy day in the Senate, as it held hearings for six of Trump's nominees, including heavy hitters like the Senator. Marco Rubio – his appointment as secretary of state – and Pam Bondi, was appointed attorney general.
The meetings come as Republican leaders in Congress hope to give Trump a strong start to his second term, which begins Monday.
Top positions require Senate confirmation, and Republicans hold 53 seats to Democrats' 45.
However, contested candidates need all the votes to win their nomination. For example, Wednesday's hearings were preceded by incendiary hearings the day before, when lawmakers impeached Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defense secretary, on drug and rape charges.
Here are some highlights from Wednesday's testimony before the Senate.
Rubio highlights hawkish lines
During his testimony, RubioThe United States Senator from Florida, has promised to put the interests of the US “first and foremost” if he is elected secretary of state.
Rubio also showed his stripes as a foreign diplomat, criticizing China as the “greatest threat” the US faces in the 21st century.
“If we don't change, we will live in a country where many things that affect us every day – from our security to our health – will depend on whether the Chinese allow us to have it or not,” said Rubio.
He added that China “oppressed and lied and stole and stole (its) to become a world power”.
Wednesday's remarks were in line with Rubio's record of taking action against those who are perceived as anti-U.S.
However, he praised US alliances like NATO, offering a counterpoint to Trump's own position.
“NATO is a very important alliance. I believe in that,” he said.
“Without the NATO alliance, the Cold War would not have ended. In fact, without the NATO alliance, it is possible that much of what we know today in Europe would have been abused.”
But he reiterated Trump's assertion that NATO allies “must contribute more to their defense” and rely on US aid.
Ratcliffe promises to be impartial
In another story, John RatcliffeTrump's choice to head the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), he assured lawmakers that he would not torture intelligence officials for not being sufficiently loyal to Trump.
“We will conduct an intelligent, objective, comprehensive analysis, without allowing political or personal bias to cloud our judgment or undermine our resources,” Ratcliffe said of his goals as CIA director.
A former attorney general, Ratcliffe previously served as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) during the first term of Trump's administration, from 2017 to 2021.
Like Rubio, Ratcliffe is expected to go through the confirmation process. But senators have expressed concern that Trump's top law enforcement pick may seek to use his political influence.
Ratcliffe has previously pledged to “clean up those who are corrupting our national security and intelligence”.
On Wednesday, he faced direct questions about whether this would alienate employees based on their preferences.
“Will you or any of your staff conduct political tests on CIA personnel?” Senator Angus King asked.
“No,” replied Ratcliffe. He insisted that removing people because of their views “is something I cannot do”.
Bondi evades Smith probe questions
Trump's nomination for attorney general is expected to be among the most controversial, given the president-elect's long-standing insistence that he will prosecute political rivals during his second term in office.
To put it there Bond under the microscope during his Senate session on Wednesday.
He tried to allay these concerns with his other words, insisting that “politics must be removed from this system”.
“No one should be accused of political crimes,” he added. As head of the Department of Justice, he will be the state's top prosecutor.
But when he was pressed to open investigations of other people such as the former Special Counsel Jack SmithBondi refused to give clear answers.
“It would be irresponsible of me to commit to anything,” he said when asked about Smith, who has led two impeachments against Trump.
Bondi has previously dismissed Trump's claim that the 2020 election was rigged as a result of massive fraud and voter manipulation.
On Wednesday, he said he will review the amnesty of those involved in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, “on a case by case basis”.
Duffy to follow up on Boeing's response
In a sobering testimony, Sean Duffy, Trump's pick for transportation secretary, said he would look at a way to develop electric vehicles (EVs) to pay for road improvements funded by fuel taxes.
He also said that Boeingthe largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States, needed “tough love” to meet the appropriate safety standards.
“I think we need to make sure they're using their safety plan,” Duffy said, adding the aerospace company needs to “restore global confidence” in its brand.
The comments come as Boeing faces continued scrutiny following the 2024 airspace security crisis, and fraud cases.
“We have to push the (Federal Aviation Administration) to make sure they are implementing their safety plan,” said Duffy, a former lobbyist, TV personality and member of the US House of Representatives.