President Trump on Friday blasted Senate Democrats for not yet confirming all of his administration’s Cabinet members, though the previous administration saw 99 days pass before its Cabinet was complete.
Trump’s remaining two nominees have not had confirmation hearings scheduled by GOP leadership. Former President Obama’s Cabinet wasn’t fully sworn in until more than three months into his first term.
The Senate confirmed two of Trump’s Cabinet members Thursday, starting with retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, the new secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
{mosads}Rick Perry was then confirmed, making the former GOP governor of Texas the Trump administration’s Energy secretary.
The two former presidential candidates were sworn in later Thursday afternoon.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Thursday the Senate has moved through all of Trump’s Cabinet officials so far.
Thursday’s votes leave two potential Cabinet members remaining: Labor Secretary nominee Alexander Acosta and Agriculture Secretary nominee Sonny Perdue both await confirmation hearings.
Two more Cabinet-level officials are also on the sidelines, with no confirmation hearings set for potential Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and would-be Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.
Democrats have repeatedly vowed to strenuously vet Trump’s Cabinet nominees, a process the president has criticized as too slow.