BEND, Ore. — While most of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees are expected to pass easily through the Senate, the confirmation process has sparked strong reactions from Oregon’s two Democratic senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. Both have expressed concerns about several nominees’ qualifications, but they’ve also signaled support for a select few individuals, showing a willingness to support competent nominees, regardless of political affiliation.
During a recent hearing for Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent, Senator Ron Wyden did not hold back his criticism. Wyden accused Bessent of having discrepancies in his tax filings, citing allegations that the nominee had failed to pay his fair share of Medicare taxes, a claim Bessent denied. Wyden’s comments highlighted his deep concerns about Bessent’s qualifications for the high-profile position.
“This nominee is not square on his taxes. Like others on Wall Street, he has opted out of paying his fair share of his Medicare taxes,” Wyden said in the hearing.
Senator Jeff Merkley also voiced his concerns, expressing his unease about several of Trump’s Cabinet choices. Merkley singled out Tulsi Gabbard, who was nominated for Director of National Intelligence, as well as Pete Hegseth, who was likely to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense. Merkley criticized Gabbard for her controversial meetings with the head of Syria and questioned Hegseth’s qualifications for the role.
“We have a lot of really scary people who have been nominated,” Merkley said. “Like Tulsi Gabbard, who went off and did secret meetings with the head of Syria. And then there’s Pete Hegseth. Pete Hegseth is not qualified in any possible way.”
Despite their opposition to many of Trump’s picks, both Wyden and Merkley have signaled support for a few nominees they view as competent and qualified.
One of those nominees is former Senator Marco Rubio, nominated for Secretary of State. Although Merkley disagrees with Rubio on various foreign policy issues, he praised the former senator’s knowledge and competence, particularly on matters related to China. Merkley emphasized that Rubio’s qualifications made him a suitable candidate for the position.
“You know, I worked very closely with Marco Rubio on China, so we had a lot of common viewpoints, and he’s certainly knowledgeable and capable,” Merkley said. “I disagree with him on some other foreign policies, but I think that he was a competent individual for Trump to nominate.”
Another nominee that Merkley plans to support is former Congresswoman Lori Chavez-Deremer, who was tapped to serve as Secretary of Labor. Chavez-Deremer, a Republican, has garnered significant support from labor unions, a notable distinction for a member of her party. Merkley praised her stance on labor rights, particularly her backing of the PRO Act, which enhances workers’ ability to organize.
“She was one of two Republicans who backed the PRO Act, which enhances the ability of workers to organize,” Merkley said. “She’s absolutely kind of a mainstream, competent individual, and I will support her.”
While Wyden and Merkley remain largely opposed to most of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, their willingness to support individuals they view as qualified and competent reflects a pragmatic approach to the confirmation process. In a highly polarized political climate, these senators’ decisions to set aside partisan differences for the sake of effective governance highlight their focus on ensuring qualified individuals take on key roles in the administration.
As the confirmation process moves forward, it remains to be seen how many of Trump’s nominees will face significant opposition, and whether more senators, including Democrats, will follow Wyden and Merkley’s lead in offering support to nominees who align with their views of competence and capability.
