Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker of New Jersey voted against the Senate’s approval of two of President Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet nominees this week: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
Former Democrats Kennedy and Gabbard, who turned became Trump’s loyal supporters throughout the 2024 presidential race, were viewed as two of the most difficult candidates to pass the Senate. Ultimately, however, both were adopted 52-48, with all Senate Republicans voting in favor save former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky).
Kim, who had the chance to question Kennedy during a hearing of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, gave a speech on the Senate floor yesterday outlining his reasons for thinking the Kennedy family scion was unsuited to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
In order to ensure that Americans are eating healthily, I am in favor of initiatives to reform the country’s overly processed food supply, Kim stated. However, I also want someone who won’t propagate false information and shoot from the hip.
Early in the confirmation process, Booker—a committed vegan who has prioritized nutrition and access to healthful foods during his time in the Senate—was mentioned as a potential swing vote for Kennedy, who has also advocated for reforming America’s harmful consumption patterns. At one point, the senator told reporters that he and Kennedy were discussing food reform problems from the same script.
However, Booker’s no vote was not surprising given the broad Democratic opposition to Kennedy’s vaccination beliefs and inexperience in administration.
Regarding Gabbard, Kim expressed his deep mistrust of Gabbard’s support for some of America’s foreign enemies, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“I cannot vote to place our nation’s trust in Tulsi Gabbard as someone who has worked in national security, including directly with the Director of National Intelligence,” he stated in a statement. Ms. Gabbard is ineligible due to her prior actions of meeting with and spreading misinformation from our enemies. The president should appoint someone who has demonstrated that they prioritize the interests of the United States. I vehemently disagree with this appointment, which is incorrect.
Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is another controversial nominee that is expected to shortly appear on the Senate floor. Booker has taken the lead in challenging Patel on his allegiance to Trump and his involvement in the firings of FBI agents and inspectors general. The Judiciary Committee approved Patel’s nomination this morning.
Kash Patel is unqualified, dangerous, and dishonest. In a lengthy social media thread yesterday, Booker stated, “I am calling for President Trump to withdraw his nomination to be the Director of the FBI, and if his nomination is brought to the Senate floor, I will vote NO.” Both the nation and the rule of law are under peril because of Kash Patel. The FBI headquarters is not the place for him to enter.
Booker has backed four of the 16 Trump candidates who have appeared before the Senate thus far, while Kim has backed three. Both Kim and Booker voted for CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Kim backed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, while Booker backed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who was approved today.
Though one, former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration as attorney general when his nomination came under intense bipartisan criticism, no Trump nominee has failed on the Senate floor.
