Did GOP senator just signal Trump picks Gaetz, RFK Jr., Gabbard are in trouble?

A Senate Republican just signaled that confirming President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his cabinet may not be a walk in the park.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told CNN’s Manu Raju on Wednesday that he is not in support of recess appointments for Cabinet-level positions—a procedural move that Trump has called on Senate Republicans to back. A clause in the Constitution allows the president to fill out their administration when the Senate is in recess, but that process is typically just used for lower-level positions.
Tillis said he supports recess appointments for lower-level positions, but “not for a cabinet level position, that should be absolutely off the table.”
“And quite honestly, any serious candidate for cabinet level position, I would have to really wonder if they would want it or be willing to accept it under a recess appointment. These positions are too important and carry too much weight internationally,” he added.
Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this month that the next GOP Senate Majority Leader should agree to recess appointments in the upper chamber. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) committed to allowing for recess appointments before Republicans elected him to lead the Senate earlier this month.
In the days since winning the White House, Trump has announced his picks for his Cabinet and other positions in his administration. Many of his picks were seen as controversial, including choosing former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for Attorney General and choosing former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. Many Republicans have expressed concerns with these picks as they have vowed to let Trump’s candidates make their cases.
Getting Gaetz confirmed could be an uphill battle in the Senate, with many GOP senators calling on the House Ethics Committee to release its report of the Florida Republican.
The committee was looking into allegations that Gaetz was involved in sexual misconduct, including allegedly having sex with a minor, and engaged in illicit drug use. It’s not clear with the committee will release the report now that Gaetz has resigned from the House. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged by the Justice Department in connection to the accusations.
Recess appointments for Cabinet-level positions could allow Trump to quickly put controversial picks in his administration by bypassing Senate confirmation. While it’s not clear yet whether Republican senators would go along with his plan to appoint important positions with the upper chamber in recess, it’s rare to see GOP members defy Trump.
The Senate, as set up by the U.S. Constitution, holds an important role in confirming — or rejecting — high-level officials like Cabinet positions, judges and ambassadors. It’s part of the government’s checks and balances that ensures the president does not get to unilaterally rule. However, there is a clause in the Constitution that allows presidents to fill out their administrations while the Senate is in recess.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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