In less than 24 hours, Donald Trump will be a former president. For as much as he’s consumed our lives the last four years, it will end with a whimper as retreats to Florida resort before noon tomorrow. He refused to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration and refused to accept the results of the election.
But already, Washington is moving on. Sure, there’s the impeachment trial in the Senate but its only useful purpose could be to insure Trump never serves as president again.
There are other matters that suddenly seem more important, such as confirming members of the Biden administration. Hearings are underway on Tuesday morning.
Four confirmation hearings are scheduled for today. Anthony Blinken for Secretary of State, Alejandro Mayorkas for Department of Homeland Security and Avril Haines for Director of National Intelligence. During her hearing Haines remarked, “When it comes to intelligence, there is simply no place for politics, ever,”
And Janet Yellen will be the first female Secretary of Treasury. During her opening statements she addressed the current economic crisis saying, “Without further action, we risk a longer, more painful recession now — and long-term scarring of the economy later”
Biden’s nominees are already well behind schedule, according to data compiled by James King, a professor of political science at the University of Wyoming. During previous transitions, Senate committees held hearings for most principal Cabinet nominees before Inauguration Day, clearing the way for the full Senate to vote on nominees shortly after the president was sworn in.
An impending impeachment trial could continue to slow down the process, but as NPR writes, “Biden has made it clear he believes the Senate can balance both the trial, confirmation votes and consideration of his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.”
