Former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro warned President-elect Donald Trump could end up with “pussies in the cabinet” if Republicans pick the wrong Senate leader this week.
During an appearance on NewsNation’s Dan Abrams Live on Tuesday, Navarro said that if Senate Republicans “choose the right majority leader,” Trump would “have a clear path to putting in place the people who will fulfill his election mandate.”
He then warned, “If that’s not happening tomorrow, if John Thune or John Cornyn get control of the Senate like Mitch McConnell did, we’re not gonna have a Trump cabinet.”
“Oh, come on,” replied NewsNation host and Mediaite founder Dan Abrams. “The idea that John Thune or Cornyn won’t support a Trump– they might say no to someone like Kash Patel. They might say no to someone like Ken Paxton. Do you think Ken Paxton should be attorney general? Really?”
Navarro responded:
Dan, okay, you have to do your homework here. There’s 4,000 appointments that have to be fulfilled. A thousand of those are Senate confirmed – a thousand – and four years of Mitch McConnell, who was just the puppeteer for Thune and Cornyn, we didn’t get half of those! And it took 100 days to get 80% of the Trump cabinet. Just the secretaries. We didn’t get our deputies, undersecretaries, assistants, and it’s a big deal, Dan. So don’t tell me democracy is working when the party that holds the Senate, our party, gets in the way of appointments.
Abrams shot back, “Because the Senate shouldn’t have a role, according to your democracy, even though that’s what it says in the Constitution. They should ignore their role. You asked me to do my homework? That’s one thing I kind of did my homework on.”
Navarro then argued:
The Senate majority leader should be somebody who supports the Trump landslide. Look, the people of America have spoken now. They want an end to inflation, they want secure borders, they want mass deportations, they want all of that. They’re not gonna get it if you put pussies in the cabinet!
Abrams laughed before concluding, “Putting that aside for a minute, you can pick people who aren’t the word you just used and still aren’t Ken Paxton.”
Navarro’s Outrageous Claims About the Trump Cabinet
Navarro’s outburst against the Republican Senators has sparked a fiery debate regarding the role of the Senate in confirming presidential appointments. His claims about a potential “Trump cabinet” not getting through the Senate if Republicans pick the wrong leader seem overblown and based on a selective interpretation of history. While it is true that Senate confirmation processes can be slow and sometimes contentious, the notion of a “Trump cabinet” being completely blocked due to political differences is highly improbable.
The Senate’s Constitutional Role in Confirmation
The Senate has a constitutional role to play in the appointment process. This role extends beyond simply rubber-stamping presidential nominations. The Senate is expected to scrutinize nominees, assess their qualifications, and ensure that they are fit for office. This includes assessing potential conflicts of interest, examining their past records, and holding confirmation hearings to allow for public input and debate. While it is fair to criticize the Senate confirmation process for sometimes being overly political, to suggest that the Senate should abandon its role in confirming presidential appointments is a dangerous proposition.
Navarro’s Election Denial and the Trump Cabinet Appointments
Navarro’s concerns about the Senate’s influence on Trump’s cabinet selections stem from his own past pronouncements about the 2020 election. Navarro, a vocal proponent of Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud, has been a persistent voice in denying the legitimacy of Joe Biden’s victory. While his views are not necessarily representative of the Republican Party as a whole, his continued insistence on election fraud does not foster an environment conducive to constructive dialogue about the Senate’s role in confirming presidential appointments.
The Importance of a Bipartisan Senate
The Senate’s role in confirming presidential appointments is a vital check on executive power. A bipartisan approach to confirmation hearings is crucial for ensuring that qualified individuals are selected for key positions in the government. When the Senate becomes overly partisan, it can hinder the efficient operation of the government. While it is necessary for the Senate to exercise its constitutional authority, it should also be mindful of the importance of ensuring that the government can function effectively.
Conclusion: A Necessary Reminder of the Senate’s Role
Navarro’s outburst about potential “pussies in the cabinet” may have been meant as a provocative statement to draw attention to his concerns about the Senate’s influence on Trump’s appointments. However, his words serve as a necessary reminder of the Senate’s constitutional role in confirming presidential appointments. This role is crucial for ensuring that the government operates effectively and that qualified individuals are selected for important positions.
The Senate’s role in confirmation should not be seen as an obstacle to presidential power but as a vital safeguard against abuse of power. While the Senate may sometimes delay or block appointments, this process is essential for ensuring that the government remains accountable to the people.
The debate surrounding Trump’s cabinet appointments and the Senate’s role in confirming them is a complex one that has no easy answers. However, Navarro’s inflammatory remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of finding a balance between the president’s authority and the Senate’s constitutional responsibility. The Senate has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the government functions effectively and that qualified individuals are appointed to key positions. This is a process that must be carefully considered and should not be taken lightly.
