In less than two weeks, Donald Trump’s inauguration will take place in Washington. Shortly after, the U.S. Senate will begin the work of reviewing Trump’s Cabinet nominees and those seeking other important posts within the new administration.
By the time Trump is sworn in, Republicans will hold a 53-47 majority over the Democrats, whose caucus also includes two independent Senators. The GOP majority should bode well for Trump’s nominees. However, it would only take a couple of Republicans to show concern over a pick for that nomination to be derailed.
Ahead of the confirmation process, BetOhio.com developed exclusive odds projecting which of some of the most controversial cabinet members will get confirmed – or not. These odds will not be available at any licensed Ohio sports betting operator, such as FanDuel or Caesars. They might, however, be available at such futures exchanges as Kalshi and PredictIt.
Outcome | Odds | Percent Chance |
Yes | -350 | 77.8% |
No | +350 | 22.2% |
The Senate has the power of advice and consent several presidential nominations, which also includes ambassadors and Supreme Court justices. It’s part of the checks and balances the framers wrote into the Constitution to ensure that none of the three branches of government were superior to the others.
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, faced concerns shortly after his nomination became public. Some critics have questioned whether the former national guardsman and television pundit has the necessary experience to lead such a vital agency, and others have expressed alarm over allegations of misconduct. Despite that, Trump remains behind his pick, who will likely be confirmed.
Outcome | Odds | Percent Chance |
No | -150 | 60% |
Yes | +150 | 40% |
Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate, switched parties last year and began supporting Trump. Shortly after his win in November, he announced her as his nominee to be the next Director of National Intelligence.
Like Hegseth, there have been concerns raised whether Gabbard has the experience and qualifications for such a high-profile position. Her stances on Russia, particularly on the invasion in Ukraine, have raised eyebrows.
Republicans are pushing for a speedy confirmation process for Gabbard, and those hearings will be crucial to her chances for confirmation. Only three times in the past 100 years has the Senate rejected a presidential nominee. Most embattled nominees withdrew their bids earlier in process.
Outcome | Odds | Percent Chance |
Yes | -400 | 80% |
No | +400 | 20% |
Kash Patel, who was a federal prosecutor, is Trump’s pick to lead the FBI. He served in the previous Trump administration as the chief of staff for then-acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller and as a senior advisor to National Intelligence Director Richard Grenell.
Outcome | Odds | Percent Chance |
Yes | -900 | 90% |
No | +900 | 10% |
Perhaps the most high-profile Trump’s Cabinet nominees, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., dropped his third-party presidential bid last summer and endorsed Trump. As the nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, he could make radical changes to healthcare policy in the country, including vaccines and medications.
Outcome | Odds | Percent Chance |
Yes | -1150 | 92% |
No | +1150 | 8% |
Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, likely lost her chance to be the vice-presidential pick last year after she described in her book how she killed a hunting dog and goat on her farm. Now she’s up for Secretary of Homeland Security. She does not have law enforcement experience, but she has overseen her state’s disaster management services and pushed to make her state a leader in cybersecurity.
Outcome | Odds | Percent Chance |
Yes | -550 | 84.6% |
No | +550 | 15.4% |
Linda McMahon ran the Small Business Administration for Trump during his first term in office and is now Trump’s Cabinet nominee for Secretary of Education. McMahon is better known for her involvement in WWE, which she co-founded with husband Vince McMahon (from whom she is currently separated). She also chairs the America First Policy Institute, a think tank that promotes and supports Trump’s agenda.
USA Today Network photo by Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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