5 takeaways from the confirmation hearings for RFK Jr., Gabbard and Patel

.

The nominees for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Director of National Intelligence, and FBI Director have all faced controversy for a similar reason: Each nominee has made scathing criticisms of the very entities they've been picked to lead. President Trump is essentially gauging the Republican-controlled Senate to see where it will draw the line between introducing change and maintaining traditional norms.

Kennedy, Gabbard, and Patel all attempted to clarify or tone down past statements or comments that have caused them trouble with senators who will vote on whether to confirm them.

Here are five key points from the Senate committee hearings.

There is no text provided for me to paraphrase a Republican chairman's warning for Kennedy. Please provide the original text, and I'll paraphrase it in U.S. English.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the head of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, made some sharp comments at the end of the hearing, criticizing Kennedy for his long history of speaking out against vaccines. Cassidy, a doctor himself, said he agrees with Kennedy on issues like junk food and obesity, but that Kennedy has chosen some evidence to disagree with proven medical treatments.

"My concern is that if there's even a hint of misinformation about vaccines, a mom might lose trust in them, and as a result, another person will die from a preventable disease," Cassidy said.

"And that's why I'm struggling with this nomination," Cassidy said, emphasizing that he hasn't made a final decision on his vote and still has more questions for Kennedy - a rare stance for a Republican committee chair who is supporting a Trump nominee.

"You may be in touch with me over the weekend," Cassidy said to him.

For example, in a first-ever presentation of data concerning cancer risk in vaccines at congressional committee, Dr. Andrew, who serves as the country's chief medical expert, highlighted small but significant differences between rates of cancer.

A chaotic hearing that involved flailing arms, banging of the gavel, and heated arguments suddenly came to a stop when Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire spoke of her son who has cerebral palsy, with instant silence falling over the room.

Hassan got emotional when she thought about what she might have done during her pregnancy with him that "could have caused the hydrocephalus that has affected his life so much." She then strongly emphasized: "Please don't assume that no one in this legislature on either side of the aisle is interested in finding out the cause of autism," Hassan said to Kennedy.

It was one of several heated exchanges with Kennedy that took place on Thursday. Throughout the day, he was repeatedly given opportunities to dismiss the theory that vaccines cause autism, but he refused to do so.

however, this response is empty; I can assist you with rephrasing text provided to you.

Patel's appearance before the judiciary committee on Thursday caught some senators off guard by the extent to which it differed from the strong conservative stance he has publicly displayed for years on social media and right-wing talk shows.

Trump's perceived foes.

It left some members of the committee perplexed and puzzled.

There's an enormous distinction between the public image that this nominee presents today and his actual actions and words in real life when no one is watching him," said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. "Deeds reveal character. And looking back at history, you can see the threat that national security chiefs in authoritarian governments pose when they become instruments of political power. Typically, they exhibit traits such as a desire for revenge, arrogance, a lack of temperance, partisanship, blind loyalty, servitude, and a refusal to say no.

Rishi Sunak breaks with Donald Trump on January 6 pardons

On his decision to issue pardons or commutations to over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 attacks, including those who admitted to assaulting law enforcement officers, Patel stated that some violent offenders did not deserve leniency.

I have consistently opposed all forms of violence against law enforcement, and I want to emphasize that I specifically condemned any violence against law enforcement on January 6th. Furthermore, I strongly disagree with the commutation of any sentence given to individuals who committed violence against law enforcement.

Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina who supported Patel and defended him during the hearing, also disagreed with Trump's decision to pardon the rioters involved in the violence: "I've been thanking these Capitol police officers, and I actually told them that I thought the pardons of those who harmed police officers were a bad idea," he said.

There was a question about Edward Snowden posed to Tulsi Gabbard.

Supervise a U.S. intelligence system that she has openly denounced and taken a firm stance against on key matters for years.

She was bombarded with questions from multiple Republican senators about her past endorsements of Edward Snowden, who leaked a large amount of classified information before fleeing to Russia, calling him a "brave whistleblower".

Gabbard's response stopped short of removing her previous statements, or labeling him as a "traitor" like many committee members have, instead saying only that he "broke the law" while exposing important facts.

"He broke the law, but he exposed really wrong and oppressive government programs that were against the law and our Constitution," Gabbard said.

Gabbard was also questioned about her shifting views on allowing surveillance on foreign targets without a warrant under FISA Section 702. At one point, she advocated for repealing it, but recently stated her support for it. She explained that her previous opposition during congressional reauthorization was motivated by highlighting "serious civil liberties violations that were taking place at that time" under the program.

When Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, asked Gabbard if Russia gets a "free pass" in her mind or heart, she responded, saying, "Senator, I am offended by that question because my sole focus, commitment, and responsibility is about our own nation, our own security and the interests of the American people."

This article was originally published in