Hegseth’s Narrow Confirmation Could Pave Way for RFK Jr., Gabbard: Report
The Republican Party’s newfound majority in the Senate, secured after the 2024 elections, is already proving pivotal as the chamber navigates contentious confirmation battles for President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Despite a larger majority than the Democrats previously held, the GOP faced internal divisions during the confirmation of former Fox News host and combat veteran Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.
The confirmation process highlighted a potential fault line within the Republican caucus, as Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) voted against Hegseth’s nomination. Ultimately, the tie-breaking vote of Vice President JD Vance secured the nomination, delivering Trump a significant victory as he moves to solidify his administration.
Hegseth’s confirmation is seen as a litmus test for the GOP’s ability to rally around Trump’s agenda, particularly as the Senate braces for even more contentious hearings. High-profile nominees such as Democrat-turned-independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, now a registered Republican, are expected to face rigorous scrutiny.
Kennedy, nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services, has drawn criticism for his past controversial stances on vaccine efficacy and reproductive rights, though he has since moderated his positions. Meanwhile, Gabbard, Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence, is likely to encounter pushback over her visits to Syria and her stance on limiting U.S. aid to Ukraine—a position aligned with Trump but not widely embraced in Congress.
Hegseth’s confirmation, despite a media storm and partisan attacks, could pave the way for smoother proceedings for Kennedy, Gabbard, and other nominees. According to a Senate aide quoted by UnHerd, “The Hegseth vote was a way to see which GOP Senators are ready to lead, follow, or get out of the way of President Trump’s agenda—and which ones are looking to sabotage it.”
Hegseth’s supporters compared the contentious process to Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation battle, framing the media’s scrutiny as a politically motivated smear campaign. Joni Ernst (R-IA), a fellow combat veteran, initially expressed reservations but later voiced support, underscoring the GOP’s broader efforts to rally behind Trump’s picks.
“This is Kavanaugh 2.0,” said Mark Lucas, a close friend of Hegseth, in an interview with UnHerd.
Observers suggest Hegseth’s confirmation may embolden Republicans to back other controversial nominees, including Gabbard and Kennedy. “Hegseth’s confirmation will make it that much easier for Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and others to survive,” one source told UnHerd.
Trump’s administration has wasted no time advancing its agenda, issuing a series of executive orders in his first week. While these efforts have energized the GOP, some warn against overreach in the face of heightened partisanship and culture war debates.
“This is an interesting lesson for Republicans and Democrats alike in the frenzied culture wars of 2025,” UnHerd noted. “Does overreach on #MeToo make it easier for real abusers to skate? Will supporting unconventional leaders make unconventional causes with legitimate aims less serious?”
For now, the GOP appears confident that its focus on unconventional leadership will resonate with voters and bolster Trump’s momentum. As the Senate prepares for the next round of confirmation hearings, the stakes—and the spotlight—remain high.