The 2024 election is over and Donald Trump has been re-elected president. While many are concerned about the course his leadership will take, there is a greater question to be answered on the other side of Capitol Hill.

Republicans have regained the majority in the Senate affording them the power to control the direction of much of the federal government. This also imposes on them the constitutional responsibility to serve as a check on the executive branch and to give “advice and consent” to presidential appointments.

Will these Republican senators have the fortitude to stand up to an individual who has conveyed his desire to be a dictator or will they acquiesce and kneel to his authoritarianism? This will be answered in the coming weeks as they are faced with confirming Trump’s cabinet appointments.

Thus far, the president-elect has nominated several individuals for critical government positions who are clearly unfit and/or totally unqualified to hold office, and who likely would never even be considered for employment in the private sector; (e.g. Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert Kennedy, Jr.) He has also made clear that he wants these nominees installed in one way or another.

Will our senators fulfill their obligation to honestly evaluate and confirm or reject these nominees based on their character and qualifications? Or will they accede to the demands of the self-proclaimed emperor that these individuals simply be given cabinet positions?

Will they honor their oath to “support and defend the Constitution,” or will they abandon their responsibility in the desire to remain in power? Only time will tell.

DAVID B. KYLE

New Columbia

Submitted by email