Democrats have made it clear they want Donald Trump’s nominees to pay the price of the president’s federal aid freeze. Billionaire Howard Lutnick, the pick to lead the Commerce Department, had his turn on Wednesday.
Democratic senators on the typically bipartisan Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology had a nearly singular focus on the issue, asking Lutnick if he’d obey orders that defy the law. The freeze caused widespread backlash and was seemingly rescinded by the White House during Lutnick’s confirmation hearing.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) asked Lutnick if he thought Trump’s move was legal. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) asked him if he’d stop infrastructure money passed by Congress if he was ordered to. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) pressed if he would heed an unconstitutional order from Trump.“We’re asking simple questions. We had an incredible conversation in the office … a very respectful one,” a visibly frustrated Luján said. “It’s not just that you work for Donald Trump. Sir, you work for the American people.”
Lutnick, for his part, largely demurred. He replied that if Trump’s advisers said the move was legal, then he believed them. And he said Trump would not ask him to do something unconstitutional.
Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) also came to Lutnick’s defense.
“I do not recall a single Cabinet nominee for Joe Biden testifying that he would defy an order from President Joe Biden,” Cruz said. “It’s unsurprising that President Trump’s Cabinet nominees are not interested in testifying that they intend to defy orders from President Trump.”
Cruz wasn’t the only Republican seemingly frustrated with Democrats’ focus on Lutnick’s loyalty to Trump. GOP members of the panel had more softball questions, focusing on bolstering American science and technology, leading Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) to deem the hearing a “lovefest.” Lutnick largely appears poised for confirmation, despite Democratic skepticism.
Democrats did have some questions on other subjects. They also zeroed in on the Trump administration’s plans for across-the-board tariffs, which they argued could hit consumers’ pocketbooks in the form of higher costs for some goods.
Lutnick acknowledged that the tariffs could raise prices but dismissed widespread economist arguments that they could cause inflation.
“The two top countries with tariffs, India and China, do have the most tariffs and no inflation. It is just nonsense that tariffs cause inflation. It is nonsense,” Lutnick said.
Democrats also questioned how Lutnick’s business dealings and ties to special interests could undermine his ability to lead the agency responsible for helping Trump implement his controversial trade agenda.
Lutnick, a longtime friend of Trump who co-chaired the president’s 2024 transition team and rebuilt the financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, reiterated his pledge to divest from his core business interests.
“I’ve made enough money in my life,” Lutnick said.
