Senate hearings are underway for President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his Cabinet. Many nominees have been meeting with senators individually. Now, they're going before the committees overseeing the agencies that Trump wants them to run. Watch a livestream of Scott Bessent's confirmation hearing in the video player aboveOn Thursday, attorney general nominee Pam Bondi returned for her second day before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Treasury secretary pick Scott Bessent and interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum had their own hearings Thursday morning. Here's a look at today's schedule:10 a.m.: Doug Burgum, Interior DepartmentThe former governor of North Dakota and businessman appeared before members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who are considering his nomination as interior secretary, the chief steward of U.S. public lands. Burgum, who endorsed Trump after ending his own 2024 presidential bid and campaigned for Trump, has also been tapped to lead the National Energy Council. Trump has said the council will seek to establish U.S. “energy dominance” around the world.10 a.m.: Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development DepartmentThe former NFL player who ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in Trump's first term appeared at a hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. 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 congressman appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The agency is tasked with matters pertaining to environmental protection, conducting assessments, research, education and maintaining and enforcing national standards.10:15 a.m.: Pam Bondi, Day 2 before the Senate Judiciary CommitteeThe former Florida attorney general made the second of two scheduled appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was Trump's pick for attorney general hours after his first choice, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration. Gaetz was facing questions about a federal sex trafficking investigation and a House Ethics Committee inquiry into allegations that he paid for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl.Bondi is a longtime fixture in Trump's orbit. The attorney general will be one of the most closely watched Cabinet members, given the concern among Democrats that Trump will look to bend the Justice Department to his will.10:30 a.m.: Scott Bessent, Treasury Department The billionaire money manager from South Carolina took questions from members of the Senate Finance Committee. Bessent would be the first openly LGBTQ Senate-confirmed Cabinet member in a Republican administration. The treasury chief helps formulate financial, economic, and tax policy, and manage the public debt.
WASHINGTON — Senate hearings are underway for President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his Cabinet. Many nominees have been meeting with senators individually. Now, they're going before the committees overseeing the agencies that Trump wants them to run.
Watch a livestream of Scott Bessent's confirmation hearing in the video player above
On Thursday, attorney general nominee Pam Bondi returned for her second day before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Treasury secretary pick Scott Bessent and interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum had their own hearings Thursday morning.
Here's a look at today's schedule:
10 a.m.: Doug Burgum, Interior Department
Andrew Harnik
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum walks onstage during preparations for the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The former governor of North Dakota and businessman appeared before members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who are considering his nomination as interior secretary, the chief steward of U.S. public lands. Burgum, who endorsed Trump after ending his own 2024 presidential bid and campaigned for Trump, has also been tapped to lead the National Energy Council. Trump has said the council will seek to establish U.S. “energy dominance” around the world.
10 a.m.: Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development Department
Evan Vucci
Scott Turner, the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, attends a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, May 18, 2020, in Washington.
The who ran the in Trump's first term appeared at a hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. 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
Matt Rourke
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., speaks at a rally in Concord, N.H., Jan. 19, 2024.
The former New York congressman appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The agency is tasked with matters pertaining to environmental protection, conducting assessments, research, education and maintaining and enforcing national standards.
10:15 a.m.: Pam Bondi, Day 2 before the Senate Judiciary Committee
Pool
Pam Bondi discusses pardons for Jan. 6 rioters during attorney general confirmation hearing
The former Florida attorney general made the second of two scheduled appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was Trump's pick for attorney general hours after his first choice, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration. Gaetz was facing questions about a federal sex trafficking investigation and a House Ethics Committee inquiry into allegations that he paid for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl.
Bondi is a longtime fixture in Trump's orbit. The attorney general will be one of the most closely watched Cabinet members, given the concern among Democrats that Trump will look to bend the Justice Department to his will.
10:30 a.m.: Scott Bessent, Treasury Department
Vincent Alban/Bloomberg/Getty Images via CNN Newsource
Scott Bessent, founder and chief executive officer of Key Square Group LP, at an interview during the Republican National Convention near the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 16.
The billionaire money manager from South Carolina took questions from members of the Senate Finance Committee. Bessent would be the first openly LGBTQ Senate-confirmed Cabinet member in a Republican administration. The treasury chief helps formulate financial, economic, and tax policy, and manage the public debt.
