U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan expressed concerns about some of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks during an economic forum on Monday. At her seventh annual Innovate NH forum, Hassan emphasized the importance of a strong economy rooted in freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, stating that free societies should not suppress creativity or allow businesses to be targeted by authoritarianism.
While she made these comments, Hassan clarified that they were not aimed directly at Trump’s incoming administration. She stressed that her remarks were focused on the core values that define the country.
However, Hassan did express doubts about some of Trump’s Cabinet choices, mentioning Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, and Robert Kennedy as individuals whose qualifications to lead certain agencies she questioned.
New Hampshire Republicans, including State Party Chairman Chris Ager, argued that Trump should be allowed to choose the team he believes is best suited for the job, given his electoral mandate.
Political analysts noted that Hassan and other U.S. Senate Democrats are positioning themselves as the opposition to Trump’s administration, with Hassan returning for a second term after serving through the first Trump administration.