Washington – newly elected President Donald Trump Nominees for top posts His administration is preparing for the Senate confirmation process, which begins this week, with more than a dozen confirmation hearings in the coming days.
Republican senators are working to appoint the president-elect's team as quickly as possible, with Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 and GOP majorities in the House and Senate eager to get to work on his policy agenda.
Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, and require a simple majority for the nomination, meaning most of Trump's picks should be easily confirmed. If only a handful of GOP senators oppose his nomination, others may face an uphill battle.
In order of appearance, the week's hearing schedule is as follows:
Doug Collins
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images
Former Rep. Doug Collins, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, is set to appear before Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Tuesday, January 14 at 9am
The 58-year-old Georgia Republican served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 and defended Trump during his first impeachment hearing as the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee. Collins, an Air Force Reserve chaplain and Iraq War veteran, made an unsuccessful bid to represent Georgia in the Senate in 2020.
pete hegseth
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
pete hegsethTrump's pick for defense secretary is set to appear before senate armed services The committee meets on Tuesday, January 14 at 9:30 a.m. in what may be the most controversial hearing on the schedule.
The 44-year-old former Fox News host and Army combat veteran has faced intense scrutiny over sexual harassment allegations, which he has denied, as well as controversial comments he made about women in combat roles. He is also expected to face questions about his qualifications to lead the country's largest workforce at the Defense Department.
Doug Burgum
Brian Dozier/Variety via Getty Images
Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump's choice for Interior secretary, is expected to appear before Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Tuesday, January 14 at 10 am
Burgum, a successful businessman who founded a software and venture capital company before entering public office, ran against Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, financing most of it himself. CampaignThe 68-year-old was on the shortlist to become Trump's running mate before he was selected to lead the Interior Department, which oversees federal lands and natural resources.
Kristi Noem
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, is expected to appear Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday, January 15 at 9 am
The 53-year-old was elected governor in 2018 after representing the state in the House for eight years. Noem was considered a contender to be Trump's running mate early in the campaign.
palm bondi
Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Trump's pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, is expected to appear. Senate Judiciary Committee Twice: first on Wednesday, January 15 at 9:30 a.m., and again on Thursday at 10:15 a.m.
Bondy, 59, served as Florida's attorney general before working at the right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute. Bondy was selected for the role after Trump's first choice for attorney general, former Representative Matt Gaetz, withdrew following intense criticism.
marco rubio
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Senator Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for secretary of state, is set to appear before the senate foreign relations Committee on Wednesday, January 15 at 10 a.m.
The 53-year-old has represented Florida in the Senate since 2011 and faced off against Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries. In 2024, Rubio was on the shortlist to become Trump's running mate. The Florida Republican, a China veteran with extensive foreign policy experience, is expected to have the easiest path to confirmation in the upper chamber.
John Ratcliffe
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Trump's choice for CIA director, former Rep. John Ratcliffe, is set to appear before Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, January 15 at 10 a.m.
Ratcliff, 59, represented Texas in the House from 2015 to 2020 and served as director of national intelligence in Trump's first term.
sean duffy
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Trump's pick for Secretary of Transportation, former Rep. Sean Duffy, will appear Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Wednesday, January 15 at 10 am
The 53-year-old represented Wisconsin in the House from 2011 to 2019. After leaving Congress, he joined Fox News as a contributor and now co-hosts a show on Fox Business.
chris wright
Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Trump's choice for Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, is scheduled to appear before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, January 15 at 10 a.m.
The 59-year-old Liberty Energy CEO has been a vocal supporter of oil and gas development, including fracking, and has expressed disapproval of climate-focused, clean-energy policies.
Russell Watt
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images
Russell Vought, Trump's pick for director of the Office of Management and Budget, is set to appear before Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday, January 15 at 1 p.m.
Watt, 48, previously held the role during the latter part of the Trump administration. He was involved in writing the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 and served as policy director for the 2024 Republican National Committee's Platform Committee.
lee zeldin
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, Trump's pick for Environmental Protection Agency administrator, is set to appear before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Thursday, January 16 at 10 am
Zeldin, 44, represented New York in the House from 2015 to 2023. He ran unsuccessfully for Governor of New York in 2022.
scott turner
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Trump's pick for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is expected to present Scott Turner Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee Thursday, January 16 at 10 am
The 52-year-old former NFL player served as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in Trump's first administration.
Scott Besant
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Trump's choice for Treasury Secretary Scott Besant is set to appear senate finance committee Thursday, January 16 at 10:30 am
Besant, 62, is the founder of Connecticut-based hedge fund Square Group. Besant would be the first Senate-confirmed openly gay Cabinet member of a Republican administration.
Other Trump picks
Trump's picks for other top administration posts, including robert f kennedy jr for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Kash Patel for Director of the FBI and Representative Elise Stefanik for Ambassador to the United Nations – all expected to appear before Senate committees at a later date, though His hearing has yet to be scheduled or announced publicly.