The Brew: RFK Jr. Goes for the Gold, Bondi’s Almost AG, Trump Meets Bibi, and GSU Gives Faith a Chance

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Director of National Intelligence, arrives to testify during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on January 30, 2025. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

By Gayle McQueary Published on February 5, 2025

Oh, what a week it’s been in the political circus that is Washington, and it’s only Wednesday! We’ve had more action than a three-ring show with senators juggling confirmation hearings and legislation votes, President Donald Trump playing host to international pals, and a sweet victory for free speech down in Georgia. Buckle up, because here’s the lowdown:

“Simply Put, He’s Winning”

Maybe Congress is listening to their constituents after all. Here we see CNN calling a spade a “spade” in admitting that Trump has made some excellent cabinet picks, and so far, they’re on track for a high rate of confirmation.

"Trump, simply put in a word, he's winning" when it comes to his Cabinet nominees. RFK Jr./Gabbard look like they'll get confirmed. Rest are all but assured.

At least so far, Trump is getting more of his picks through than the average president in the modern era (since 1993). pic.twitter.com/DDtU5Vlazd

— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) February 4, 2025

Why is this a victory?

RFK Jr. Confirmation Advances to Senate Floor

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is inching closer by the day to becoming the new U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and boy, have we been on a rollercoaster with those hearings! The Senate Finance Committee just gave him the green light to move to the big floor, where he’ll need all the Kennedy family charm (and maybe a bit of luck) to secure the position.

Despite opposition from Democrats, who have highlighted his anti-vaccine advocacy as a potential liability, Republican support was enough to see his nomination move forward. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican with a medical background, was pivotal in this decision, swayed by assurances from Kennedy that he is committed to following Trump’s directive to “Make America Healthy Again.”

Critics argue that allegations that Kennedy categorically opposes all vaccines could undermine public health initiatives. (For the record, Kennedy has only said that he supports informed consent for vaccines–not that he categorically opposes them.)Meanwhile, supporters applaud his potential to challenge established medical norms — such as blindly trusting “the science” where vaccines are concerned.

Not coincidentally, Moderna’s stock prices took a hit shortly after Kennedy’s nomination moved forward — and kept dropping throughout the day.

Pam Bondi Confirmed

After a procedural vote that had more drama than a soap opera, Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney General, was confirmed 54-46 late last evening.

Bondi, formerly the attorney general for Florida, has been both lauded for her prosecutorial experience and criticized for her staunch support of Trump — particularly her doubts about the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. Her confirmation signals a significant shift toward a more Trump-aligned Justice Department, potentially influencing legal actions and policy directions concerning Trump’s political adversaries.

This topic is of great concern to ranking Senate members, who have alleged all along that Trump would “weaponize” the U.S. Department of Justice to “persecute” his political enemies. It’s the same reason they fear Kash Patel becoming the next director of the FBI. They all seem to have developed collective amnesia about the last four years, when the DOJ was radically weaponized against Trump and all of Joe Biden’s political enemies … as well as citizens who proclaimed a pro-life point of view or stood up to radically woke, leftist school boards intent on grooming their children through salacious library books and other curricula.

Trump and Netanyahu’s Strategic Meeting

Amid these domestic political maneuvers, yesterday Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, marking the first official meeting with a foreign leader since Trump’s second inauguration. It comes while the Middle East peace process, particularly Israel’s recent ceasefire agreement with Gaza, remains a critical issue on the international stage.

Discussions reportedly focused on maintaining the ceasefire, the release of the hostages who are still held by Hamas, and the broader geopolitical implications of Israeli-Palestinian relations. Both leaders are known for their hardline stances, and this meeting could influence U.S. foreign policy in the region — especially with Trump’s administration looking to cement its influence in Middle Eastern politics.

Free Speech Victory at Georgia State University

Switching gears: Let’s hop over to Atlanta, where Georgia State University decided to play nice with free speech yesterday. Stephen Atkerson, a man on a mission to share his Christian faith, can now chat with students without the campus police swooping down on him. After First Liberty stepped in with a demand letter, GSU said, “Let’s talk it out,” and now Atkerson’s back, spreading the Gospel in peace.

“We’re thrilled the university got the First Amendment memo!” beamed attorney Nate Kellum. “It’s a win for everyone who believes in the right to speak your mind (or your faith)!”

Other Notable Events:

The Senate Intelligence Committee voted to advance Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. This advancement came as shock, since Gabbard risked it all by calling out Barack Obama for funding al-Qaeda.
Beyond high-profile nominations, the Senate has been busy with confirmations for lower-level positions and various committee votes. The confirmation of Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is one we’re particularly thrilled about: Collins, a former military chaplain and a Baptist minister, understands the important role faith plays in our nation’s military community.
In response to the tariffs imposed by Trump, China announced retaliatory tariffs on American products, signaling escalating trade tensions. This move could have significant implications for U.S. businesses and the global economy, with both sides digging in for a prolonged economic standoff.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that every decision, every vote, and every handshake could change the game. With Trump’s second term ramping up, it feels like we’re all aboard a ship navigating uncharted waters. But hey, that’s what makes it fun, right?

Along the Stream…

Attorney Daniel Schmid tells us why Liberty Counsel is “Putting Idaho on Guard” over its suppression of First Amendment rights and a “no Christians allowed” policy.

Meanwhile, contributor Joachim Osther breaks down some of the early findings about the crimes of USAID and why the Deep State has relied on it for so long in “The Lifeblood of the Deep State.”

Gayle McQueary is The Stream’s social media coordinator. She has a background in production and is a scary judge of public policy.