After a flurry of announcements about appointments to President-elect Donald Trump’s next administration, the nomination process is now officially underway.
Senate hearings are scheduled this week on several of Trump’s Cabinet picks. Many met with senators individually. Now they will go before the committee that oversees the agency Trump wants to run.
Below is the Senate hearing schedule currently set for Eastern Time.
9 a.m.: Doug Collins, Veterans Affairs
The former Georgia congressman made his first appearance before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Collins is a Baptist minister, former U.S. Navy chaplain, and Air Force Reserve colonel. VA provides health care to former members of the United States Armed Forces.
9:30 a.m.: Pete Hegseth, Department of Defense
Existing ‘Fox’ & The Friends’ weekend host and Army National Guard combat veteran appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee after weeks of meetings in which some senators questioned his suitability for the role amid allegations of excessive drinking and sexual harassment. The Secretary of Defense’s authority over the U.S. military is second only to the President.
10 a.m.: Doug Burgum, Interiors Department
The former North Dakota governor and businessman will appear before members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider his nomination for Secretary of the Interior, the chief steward of America’s public lands. Burgum, who supported and campaigned for Trump after his own 2024 presidential bid, was also appointed to lead the National Energy Council. President Trump said the board would seek to establish America’s “energy dominance” globally.
9 a.m.: Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security
South Dakota’s governor is scheduled to appear before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The rancher and former congressman will take the helm of one of the government’s largest agencies, which is essential to President Trump’s pledge to secure the border and conduct a large-scale deportation operation.
9:30 a.m.: Pam Bondi, Justice.
The former Florida attorney general is making the first of two scheduled appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was nominated by Trump for attorney general hours after his first nominee, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration. Gaetz was facing questions about the federal sex trafficking investigation and the House Ethics Committee investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl.
Bondi has long been in Trump’s orbit. The attorney general will be one of the most closely watched Cabinet members, given concerns among Democrats that President Trump will seek to bend the Justice Department to his will.
10 a.m.: Sean Duffy, Department of Transport
The former Wisconsin lawmaker, who also co-hosts Fox Business, will be questioned by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The department also oversees funding for pipelines, railroads, automobiles, trucks, airlines, and public transportation systems, as well as highways.
10 AM: John Ratcliffe, CIA
Director of National Intelligence Ratcliffe appears before the Senate Intelligence Committee in the final months of Trump’s first term. The former Texas congressman is set to lead America’s top spy agency, responsible for overseas covert operations and data collection on America’s enemies.
10 a.m.: Marco Rubio, State Department
The Florida senator has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is considering a nomination for secretary of state. As head of the State Department, Rubio will oversee U.S. diplomatic operations, advise Trump on diplomatic appointments and negotiate with foreign leaders on behalf of the administration.
10 a.m.: Chris Wright, Department of Energy
A fossil fuel executive, one of the industry’s loudest voices opposing efforts to combat climate change, appeared before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Secretary oversees the generation and use of energy in the United States, as well as the United States’ nuclear weapons stockpile. Wright also joined Burgum at the National Energy Council.
1 p.m.: Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget.
Vought, who served as OMB director during Trump’s first term, will appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Bott was closely involved with Project 2025, Trump’s conservative blueprint for a second term, but the Republican candidate sought to distance himself from him during the campaign. The Director of the Budget oversees the preparation of the President’s budget and the review of proposed regulations.
10 a.m.: Scott Turner, Department of Housing and Urban Development.
A former NFL player who ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term appeared at a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing. Turner is a professional mentor, pastor, and former Texas House member. HUD is charged with addressing the nation’s housing needs and fair housing laws, and oversees housing for the poorest Americans.
10 a.m.: Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency.
The former New York State representative appears before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The agency is responsible for issues related to environmental protection, conducting assessments, research, education, and maintaining and enforcing national standards.
10:15 a.m.: Bondi, two days before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
10:30 a.m.: Scott Bessent, Treasury Department
A billionaire money manager from South Carolina is taking questions from members of the Senate Finance Committee. Bessent would be the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member confirmed by the Senate in a Republican administration. The Secretary of the Treasury sets fiscal, economic, and tax policies and helps manage public debt.
Hearings on all of Trump’s picks, including the most controversial ones, have not yet been scheduled.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Department of Labor
Office of the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Department of Health and Human Services
Howard Lutnick, Department of Commerce
Linda McMahon, Ministry of Education
Cash Patel, FBI
Brooke Rollins, Department of Agriculture
Ambassador to the United Nations Ellis Stefanik
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Kinnard reports from Chapin, South Carolina, and can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP.
