Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, has placed a “blanket hold” on President Donald Trump’s nominees for the State Department in protest of Trump’s adviser, Elon Musk, declaring the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which Schatz believes is illegal and dangerous. This move slows down Trump’s efforts to quickly install personnel in key positions within the State Department, as nominees now require a majority vote in the Senate. Schatz’s hold forces Republicans to spend more time and effort to confirm these nominees, potentially detracting from other priorities. Democratic lawmakers have gathered to denounce the shutdown of USAID and accuse Trump and Musk of circumventing Congress.
Holds on nominees have been used by both parties in the past to protest various policies. Republicans have used holds to delay military promotions and protest policies related to abortion and Afghanistan. The Trump administration has not yet nominated individuals for many vacant ambassadorships and assistant secretary positions, leaving career civil servants in acting roles. This limits their authority and effectiveness in these positions. There are currently almost 100 ambassadorships awaiting nominations, including key positions at the U.S. mission to the U.N.
Overall, Schatz’s hold on Trump’s State Department nominees is part of a broader effort by Democrats to push back against what they see as authoritarian actions by the administration and its advisers, particularly related to the shutdown of USAID. This move highlights the power dynamics in the Senate and the significance of the confirmation process for key government positions.
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