The MAGA coalition had been holding its breath for nearly two months, anxious to see if Trump’s embattled cabinet picks, Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr., could make it through confirmation.
Then, in the span of a few hours on the first Tuesday of February, both picks’ confirmation chances went from possible to almost certain as two Republican hold-outs announced they would vote in favor.
The MAGA coalition could breathe again.
Republican senators Todd Young and Bill Cassidy announced their support of Gabbard and Kennedy, respectively, at the eleventh hour after weeks of hesitancy. It seemed something drastic had happened to change their minds. As observers sorted through clues as to what caused the sudden shift, one key factor emerged: Vice President JD Vance.
Young hinted that Vance had helped him through “extensive conversations” about confirming Gabbard to the director of…
