This week marks the start of confirmation hearings for over a dozen key figures nominated by President-elect Trump for his upcoming administration. Among those facing scrutiny are Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for Secretary of State, and Governor Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) for Secretary of Homeland Security.

Hegseth's hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Noem will appear before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Wednesday at 9 a.m., followed by Rubio's appearance before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations at 10 a.m.

Tuesday's hearings also include Doug Collins for Secretary of Veterans Affairs and former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum for Secretary of the Interior. Wednesday will see hearings for Pam Bondi, nominated for Attorney General, John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, Russell Vought for OMB Director, Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation, and Chris Wright for Secretary of Energy.

Hearings for Eric Turner, nominated for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Scott Bessent, the nominee for Treasury Secretary, are scheduled for Thursday.

Republicans are aiming for swift confirmation of these nominees. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) expressed his hope for quick approvals, particularly for key national security positions, ideally on or shortly after Inauguration Day.

The urgency surrounding these confirmations is underscored by the recent terror attack in New Orleans, which resulted in 14 fatalities and 35 injuries, emphasizing the need for a fully staffed national security team.