The secretaries of defense and state will play key roles in U.S. policy on Israel, but Hegseth and Rubio faced little scrutiny on Palestinian suffering.

Several nominees face critical tests in the U.S. Senate before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House on Monday. Here’s a look at what Americans said in this latest poll.

"The best news about these hearings is we finally found the dumbest person in the senate and his name is Markwayne," the late night host says

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees for the Department of Justice, State Department and more sat for Senate confirmation hearings throughout the day Wednesday.

Senator Marco Rubio warned of China’s growing threat, and he backed NATO but said Europe needed to do more to help protect itself. His friendly, five-hour confirmation hearing seemed to all but guarantee he would be the next secretary of state.

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – It’s the second day of confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees on Capitol Hill. Secretary of State nominee Florida Senator Marco Rubio and the nominee for attorney general Pam Bondi are scheduled Wednesday.

Some are expected to have smooth confirmation paths, like Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, while others, like defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth, face headwinds.

Republicans will hold confirmation hearings this week for more than a dozen high-profile administration picks for President-elect Trump’s next term, including those for Pete Hegseth, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Kristi Noem, R-S.D.

This week in politics, President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address, the Senate conducted confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's nominees, the Supreme Court upheld the looming TikTok ban, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, Trump's inauguration was moved indoors and more.

Donald Trump may find himself sitting on pins and needles waiting for the Senate to vote on his Cabinet nominees because Senate Democrats are still seething over how Republicans treated President Joe Biden's selections four years ago.

While Trump's Cabinet nominees play to their audience of one, it’s Democrats’ responsibility to play to the audience that really matters here: the American people.