This is why Democrats need to vote no on every Trump cabinet pick:

[intheflow]

Senator warns of national security risks after Elon Musk’s DOGE granted ‘full access’ to sensitive Treasury systems

Bessent was confirmed less than a week ago and immediately gave DOGE permission to do whatever the fuck they wanted to with OPM information, servers, and staff. When we scream into the void that Democrats need to do something, blocking all Trump nominations is ground zero of action, and the very least they can do. 16 Democratic senators voted for this tool!

On paper, he doesn’t look particularly extreme. He’s a married gay man and once worked for George Soros. But we need to assume everyone put up for confirmation has sworn loyalty to Trump over country. EVERY ONE.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. And he still would have been confirmed with a vote of 52 to 45.

[intheflow]

2. So what?

Voting records matter.

[TnDem]

5. votes

Voting on nominees, legislation, proclamations, etc. all boils down to a zero sum game.

You either win the vote or lose the vote. Voting record means squat when the nominee is in place with basically a party line vote.

[intheflow]

6. Okay. Why even vote, then?

“Ah, well. We’re going to lose anyway. Guess I’ll vote for the felon’s guy!” *whistles a cheerful tune as they walk away from their responsibility to their oaths of office*

[TnDem]

7. Votes are needed

Votes are wildly important when you can peel a couple of iffy Republicans away.

If all Democrats vote as a block and a few Republicans go our way, it matters greatly.,,,If the vote is whipped privately and the entire Senate knows it's going 100% party-line, it makes no difference.

[intheflow]

8. Again, why even vote?

Stay home that day if you’re not going to oppose fascism. Meanwhile, you’re implying that the majority of Democratic senators who voted against him were being performative instead of trying to establish a record of resistance to Project 2025.

I mean, listen to yourself! Are you not going to vote in 4 years if it looks like Trump/Musk will win? “Voting is pointless when you know you’re going to lose.”

Seriously:

[Renew Deal]

3. If they were chosen by Trump they are trusted by his team to do whatever he wants

So even if they aren’t crooks coming in, they are trusted by a crook and the expectations are obvious.

[Think. Again.]

4. Not to mention that a lot of Americans need to look up to their Democratic leaders right now.