"Trump Cabinet members have also started to draw a skeptical eye from some Republicans. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called for Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth to testify under oath over the operation that killed alleged drug smugglers, while Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) said that members on the of the House Armed Services Committee were "very concerned" by the strikes. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who has at times been more skeptical of Hegseth than other Republicans, called his tenure "bumpy" this week."
"Flashback: The opening months of Trump's term were defined by Congress' lax approach to checking and balancing the executive branch. None of his top-level nominees were rejected in Senate confirmation votes. Just 11 "no" votes from five senators were cast across the confirmation of 22 key nominations, according to a CBS News analysis. Congress was permissive as Trump entered uncharted territory in invoking "emergencies" to bypass legislative approval on tariffs, deportations and deployments of the National Guard."
"Within the Republican-controlled House, a fragile majority has grown more creaky and more at war with itself. Members are calling it quits at a record rate and leaving Republicans with less and less margin for error to keep power in 2026. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing a revolt from a number of his most vocal members, including from Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), a member of leadership who called Johnson a "political novice.""
Republicans have escalated scrutiny of multiple Trump Cabinet officials and House leadership amid policy and operational controversies. Lawmakers demanded answers about a Defense Department operation that killed alleged drug smugglers, with calls for sworn testimony and formal concern from armed services members. Criticism also targeted HHS leadership over vaccine policy. Early in the term, Congress confirmed top nominees with minimal opposition and allowed emergency actions that bypassed legislative approval. The Republican House majority is eroding as members resign and leadership faces internal revolts, reducing the party's margin to retain power in 2026.
Read at Axios
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