A subdued but acrimonious partisan clash is unfolding on Capitol Hill over President-elect Donald J. Trump’s selections for key cabinet positions, as Republicans are under immense pressure to expedite confirmations, while Democrats accuse them of cutting corners on vetting for critical administration roles. The rift is reaching its climax with a packed schedule of confirmation hearings planned for next week, with over a dozen scheduled and more potentially ahead of Mr. Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Republican senators who attended a private planning session with Mr. Trump at the Capitol on Wednesday evening said that he encouraged them to stay united behind his picks, despite some Republicans voicing their own reservations about certain candidates. Some have even allied with Democrats in demanding that senators must be allowed to review FBI background checks and other relevant materials on the nominees before rendering a verdict. Those at the Republican meeting mentioned that Mr. Trump made a special appeal for Pete Hegseth, his pick for defense secretary, who is set to appear before the Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. They said he singled out Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and military veteran, by name, indicating the importance he attaches to the confirmation. However, Democrats on the committee have begun raising objections about the potential lack of access to background materials such as an FBI report on Hegseth, who settled a civil case with a woman who accused him of sexual assault, and has faced allegations of sexual harassment, drinking on the job, and financial mismanagement. Democrats contend that the FBI report on Hegseth might be shared only with the top Republican and Democrat on the panel, a departure from the usual procedures where committee members generally have access to such reports. Some have also demanded to see financial and other records for veterans advocacy groups that Hegseth was overseeing when they encountered financial trouble, raising questions about his management skills as he is poised to head a department with an $849 billion budget and nearly three million employees.
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