**Senator Lankford Vows Thorough Review of Trump's Cabinet Picks Amidst Concerns**

In a notable statement on Sunday, Republican Senator James Lankford assured that Congress would thoroughly scrutinize Donald Trump's cabinet nominees before giving any approvals, ensuring a rigorous confirmation process. This comes as Democrats, like Senator Tammy Duckworth, have begun challenging the suitability of some of Trump's choices for key positions.

Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman selected by Trump as the prospective director of national security for his upcoming administration, is expected to face tough questions from lawmakers. Lankford emphasized that every nominee would undergo a fair examination during the Senate's public hearings starting on January 3, prior to Trump's inauguration on January 20.

A contentious issue is Gabbard’s past behavior, including accusations of spreading Russian propaganda regarding the Ukraine conflict and her controversial visit to Syria to meet President Bashar al-Assad, who has been accused of war crimes. Lankford pointed out the need to understand the motivations behind her actions and comments. In an interview on CNN's State of the Union, Lankford mentioned, "She met with Bashar al-Assad, we'll want to know what the purpose was... We want to get a chance to talk about past comments she's made, and get them into full context."

The week's events also saw Matt Gaetz, Trump's initial pick for attorney general, stepping down due to sexual misconduct allegations. This led to Trump's subsequent nomination of Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, to the position. Lankford remarked on the importance of Bondi focusing on curbing crime if confirmed, stressing that the attorney general's role should serve the nation and not merely the president.

Other Trump nominees under scrutiny include Pete Hegseth, designated for defense secretary and previously investigated for sexual assault in 2017, and Robert F Kennedy Jr., chosen for health secretary, who is known for his controversial stance on vaccines.

Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, expressed strong objections to Hegseth and Gabbard on State of the Union, questioning their qualifications and loyalty. Duckworth cited Hegseth's lack of high-level command experience in the military and his stance against women in combat roles as significant concerns. She also voiced worries about Gabbard’s alleged connections with foreign adversaries, implying she might struggle to pass a security background check.

Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma’s other Republican senator and a staunch Trump supporter, voiced his full support for all of Trump's cabinet picks, highlighting the president's previous experience and the need for swift action to fulfill the administration’s mandate.

As the confirmation hearings approach, the differing viewpoints within the Senate signal a rigorous vetting process for Trump’s nominated officials.