These four senators can stop Donald Trump

Resistance to the president-elect’s nomination is growing.

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Things haven't moved forward since Matt Gaetz became attorney general. The representative from Florida was so hated in Congress, his record so abysmal, his sexual behavior so repulsive, that even senators from the big party objected to it. Gates had to quit.

A widely circulated theory is that it's all just a hoax. In a way, Gates is a sacrificial lamb, allowing Trump to implement his time-tested “drown everything with shushes” strategy. The respected senators dared no longer oppose his wishes.

Eliminated: Matt Gates.Image: trapezoid

The fact that Donald Trump actually announced some very controversial Cabinet nominations over the past few days supports this argument. But it remains to be seen whether Republican senators will hold their noses and let the bill pass. Here are the most notable unstable candidates:

Peter Heggs

Hegseth will become the new defense minister, making him the boss of some 3.2 million people. He largely lacks the qualifications to do so. Although he was a major in the National Guard and was active in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. But running the Pentagon, perhaps the world's most complex bureaucracy, as a major is another story. Having Heges at the head of the organization is like, if not worse than, promoting the UBS branch manager in Hinterpfgen to chairman of the board.

Not only does Hegseth lack management knowledge and experience, he has proven himself unable to do so in the past. The New Yorker magazine just revealed that he completely failed as the head of two veterans organizations. In 2016, he was forced to resign as CEO of the Koch brothers-funded Concerned Veterans of America. He has previously put the Veterans for Freedom movement in financial trouble.

New revelation: Pete Hegseth.Image: trapezoid

Hegseth left a tragic impression not only of an incompetent manager but also of a harasser of women and an alcoholic. According to several whistleblower accounts, he is said to have frequently abused his position by drinking heavily at strip clubs – which, of course, cost money. He is said to have divided his female subordinates into “party girls” and “work girls.” He is said to have attracted attention on several occasions for his rude behavior in public and that he was often drunk.

When it comes to women like Gates, he has a troubled, macho past. One woman even accused him of rape, but withdrew her complaint after receiving an undisclosed amount of money from Hegseth. He did not deny the payment but explained the sex was consensual.

However, this denial is not entirely credible. The New York Times published an email from his mother in which she accused her son of lying, cheating, having sex with numerous women and using them to gain power.

Kashi Patel

The FBI director's term is ten years. Director Christopher Wray, whom Trump appointed during his first term, would benefit from serving at least another two years. But the president-elect wanted to fire him and replace him with Kash Patel.

The fear of this nomination is as great as the fear of Gates and Hegseth. Patel was a ruthless, ambitious man who went above and beyond. Trump knows that, unlike other FBI directors, he will grant his every wish immediately and without resistance. Thus, Patel is an ideal figure to exact revenge on a so-called internal enemy.

Patel had previously announced that he would close the FBI headquarters in Washington on his first day in office and purge the organization. He wants all Trump critics, whether they be judges, politicians or journalists, prosecuted “criminally and civilly.”

Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard is a traitor, just like in the book. Just five years ago, a Democratic representative from Hawaii ran in the primary as a presidential candidate. At the time she insulted Donald Trump as a warmonger. Now, she's been nominated by him to head all intelligence agencies as Gabbard's political views undergo a complete about-face.

Windhals: Tulsi Gabbard.Image: trapezoid

Now, she appears regularly as a host on Fox News. Despite her military career, her ability to take on such an important role is questionable. The fact that Gabbard secretly visited Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and that she occasionally spreads Russian propaganda doesn't really increase trust in her.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The son of the legendary Robert F. Kennedy, like his brother John F. Kennedy, was the victim of an assassination attempt and was the black sheep of the family. He is considered a conspiracy theorist who has questioned vaccinations and recommended controversial drugs such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic.

Conspiracy Theorist: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Image: trapezoid

Kennedy initially ran as an independent, but to his family's dismay, he joined Trump over the summer. Many prominent scientists view conspiracy theorist JFK as a major threat to the U.S. health system.

Trump's calculation may work. Former Republican strategist Gregg Nunziata explained in the New York Times: “His nomination is extremely provocative and is clearly intended to test the Senate's ability and willingness, as well as its role as a check on the president. ”

But the president-elect is taking a risk. In order for his candidacy to be approved, he needs the approval of at least 50 senators. Republicans have a 53-vote majority. Four Republican votes could defeat Trump's plan. Here they are:

Mitch McConnell

Senate veterans will advance to the final round. The former majority leader has a conflicted relationship with Trump and has been repeatedly insulted by Trump as a RINO and a paper Republican. McConnell has nothing to lose and may become stubborn by the end of his term. He is said to be the driving force behind blocking Gates.

Senate veteran: Mitch McConnell.Image: trapezoid

Susan Collins

The Maine senator is known for not being a “MAGA” representative. She has repeatedly defied Trump's wishes in the past. She voted against repealing Obamacare and against the election of Amy Coney Barrett, who was forced into the Supreme Court at the last minute. However, Collins is also known for voting with the MAGA crowd.

Vote against repealing Obamacare: Susan Collins.Image: trapezoid

Lisa Murkowski

Like Collins, the Alaska senator has earned a reputation as a relatively independent politician who occasionally bucks Republican trends. For example, she voted against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The Republican Party that sometimes swims against the tide: Lisa Murkowski.Image: trapezoid

John Curtis

Curtis succeeded Mitt Romney as Utah senator. He remains little known. Like Romney, he is considered a moderate who supports fighting global warming and supports same-sex marriage. He also declined to endorse Trump in the 2024 primary.

Still little known: John Curtis.Image: trapezoid

There are other candidates who may refuse to endorse Trump. Other names include John Cornyn from Texas, Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, Todd Young from Indiana and Mike from Ohio State. · Mike DeWine. Republican campaign veteran Kevin Madden explained in the Financial Times that the uprising against Gates was no flash in the pan. “Congress has very little wiggle room. Institutional guardrails may still be in place.”