Complicating the matter for senators is the Trump campaign’s decision to not engage, so far, in the traditional transition process, having declined to sign agreements with the federal government that would launch FBI background checks of nominees, among other standard steps before confirmation hearings.

The president-elect is testing the loyalty of Republican in Congress, leaving even his close allies nervous about the unpredictability and upheaval to come.

The first test of Donald Trump's effort to seize power over the federal government will be whether Senate Republicans bend to his will and rubber stamp his appointees no matter how unqualified they are.

Donald Trump has already queued up an uncomfortable loyalty test for Senate Republicans with a long string of controversial nominees even they would struggle to support, like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) for attorney general — and it remains to be seen whether there will be any serious resistance.