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Some of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees are experiencing turbulence in the nomination process, which has led two to drop out, one to be moved, and another to fight for enough votes from GOP senators to secure his position.

One of Trump’s Cabinet nominees has dropped out of the nomination process, while another is defending himself against multiple allegations. Meanwhile, Trump said he pulled another nominee from consideration and also re-assigned a White House position, in less than seven weeks before the inauguration.

The challenge to nominees is nothing new. There have been failed Cabinet nominees in each of the last six administrations, including President Joe Biden’s. From President John Adams to Biden, there have been 29 challenges in total. Before President George H. W. Bush, the last president to have a failed Cabinet nominee was Lyndon B. Johnson.

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who was nominated by Trump for attorney general on Nov. 13, was the first nominee for Trump’s second administration to withdraw on Nov. 21.

Distraction

“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many,” Gaetz posted on X. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.”

“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General,” he continued. “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”

Trump responded to Gaetz’s decision on Truth Social the same day.

“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General,” Trump posted. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”

Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump named him as his choice for the post and before the House Ethics Committee was to release a report of its investigation into the congressman. Two women accusing Gaetz of paying for sexual favors testified before the House Ethics Committee in the panel’s investigation. Their attorney said they support the release of the report but they won’t testify publicly.

Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and a separate Justice Department investigation into the allegations last year did not result in any criminal charges. House Democrats have introduced privileged resolutions that would force a vote on the release of the House Ethics Committee’s report on Thursday.

Another Trump nominee has withdrawn his name from consideration.

Covid lockdown a poison pill

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister on Tuesday withdrew from the nomination for Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) administrator amid concerns over his COVID-19 lockdown and vaccine policies. The DEA administrator is not a Cabinet position but still requires confirmation by the Senate. Trump had nominated Chronister on Saturday, which the sheriff promptly accepted.

“To have been nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote in a statement on his withdrawal.

“There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.”

Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that he had pulled Chronister as his DEA nominee.

“The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more obnoxious and unreadable. Today’s main headline is: ‘Trump’s DEA Pick Pulls Out In Latest Setback.’ With all that’s happening in the World, this is their Number One story of the day. Besides, he didn’t pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters,” Trump wrote.

Also on Wednesday, Trump moved William McGinley from White House counsel to counsel for the Department of Government Efficiency, which is to be led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump announced that David Warrington, his personal attorney and presidential campaign general counsel, would be White House counsel.

“I am proud to announce the appointment of David A. Warrington to serve as Assistant to the President and Counsel to the President. Dave will lead the Office of White House Counsel, and serve as the top attorney in the White House. Dave has represented me well as my personal attorney, and as General Counsel for my Presidential Campaign. He is an esteemed lawyer and Conservative leader. Dave is currently a Partner at the Dhillon Law Group, and a former President of the Republican National Lawyers Association,” Trump wrote.

DOGE appointments

“Additionally, I have asked William Joseph McGinley to serve as Counsel to the Department of Government Efficiency (‘DOGE’), something he is very passionate about. Bill will work with Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and their team of incredible pioneers at DOGE, to rebuild a U.S. Government that truly serves the People,” Trump added.

“Bill will play a crucial role in liberating our Economy from burdensome Regulations, excess spending, and Government waste. He will partner with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to provide advice and guidance to end the bloated Federal Bureaucracy. Bill is a great addition to a stellar team that is focused on making life better for all Americans. He will be at the forefront of my Administration’s efforts to make our Government more efficient and more accountable.”

Trump had originally announced on Nov. 12 that McGinley would serve as White House counsel. Additionally, there are media reports that Trump may replace his Department of Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) amid prior sexual misconduct allegations.

However, The Federalist CEO Sean Davis posted on X on Tuesday, disputing that reporting.

“Sources with direct knowledge tell me this story is nonsense and indicate they’ve had enough with games being played on Hegseth’s Defense nomination by Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina,” Davis wrote.

Also, the Trump-Vance transition team on Wednesday shared Hegseth’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, where the nominee defended himself and said he would continue the nomination process. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, was nominated by Trump on Nov. 12. The DOD nominee is facing allegations of excessive drinking, sexual misconduct and the financial mismanagement of organizations he led, which he has consistently denied.

Hegseth was accused of sexual assault in 2017 but reached a settlement with the woman who accused him and was never charged. He has also denied the allegation.

“Hyenas in the hallway”

On Wednesday, Hegseth said, “I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said, ‘keep going, keep fighting.’” Hegseth met with multiple Republican senators on Wednesday as he has sought to gain a majority of votes in the Senate for confirmation.

The Trump War Room account on X posted a clip of Hegseth’s interview on Wednesday with former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, where the DOD nominee said regarding his nomination process, “I don’t answer these questions to the hyenas in the hallway trying to chirp at my wife and I as we walk down the hallway. I don’t owe them an answer. I owe an answer to the members of the United States Senate, who are going to vote for a confirmation hearing — and my meetings with them have been fantastic.”