Summary
Senate Democrats who initially backed some of Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees now regret their votes, citing broken promises and controversial policies.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) apologized for supporting Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins after the administration terminated over 1,000 VA employees, including those at the Veterans Crisis Line.
Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) regretted confirming Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem due to aggressive immigration policies.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) expressed disappointment with Secretary of State Marco Rubio for actions undermining USAID.
When you are the leopard eating your own face?
Their votes and words in this case are purely symbolic and without any real power. Even if they voted against Rubio, Rubio would sill be confirmed. In fact, Hegseth got 0 Dem votes and also lost 3 R votes and was still confirmed.
Delaying and obstructing is not symbolic. Delaying and obstructing is how the Republicans fucking won.
You literally cannot filibuster a cabinet pick since 2013 and a SCOTUS pick since 2017, so they literally cannot delay or obstruct these particular votes.
Oh the democrats would let them. Some republican would say procedure requires 57 votes and they’d go OK.
Those votes approved and legitimised, even though the numbers would not have mattered.
Yes, it was purely symbolic, as is their regret.