'Reject the political hacks': Columnist urges Senate to 'demand better choices' from Trump

Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard wouldn't stand a chance in Senate confirmation hearings if David Firestone had his way. The deputy editor of The New York Times Editorial Board used Thursday's column to implore senators to "reject the political hacks" nominated by President-elect Donald Trump lest more attacks like the New Year's Eve mayhem in New Orleans and Las Vegas are allowed to multiply. Two other Trump nominees caused a stir for ethics concerns having to do with prostitution, drugs, and alcohol when Trump nominated them; former Rep. Matt Gaetz dropped out of contention for attorney general altogether after admitting he became a "distraction," but Pete Hegseth continues to soldier on for the defense secretary post. On Thursday, Democrats announced that incoming senator Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Dick Durbin will be part of the Senate Judiciary Committee members probing Trump's nominees. "Many of the nation’s best case officers and special agents would probably walk out the door rather than work for these kinds of leaders, making the nation even more vulnerable to attack," Firestone wrote of Trump's nominees.