Meet leader John Thune’s all-star cabinet as Republicans take control of the Senate

FIRST ON FOX: Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has picked four top Republican allies as part of his unofficial Cabinet as he looks to make his own mark on the upper chamber after taking over the mantle from longtime GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R- Ky, has taken over.

The new Republican leader has tapped Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, to advise him in his new role and to represent at important leadership meetings.

McConnell had his own group of personally selected senators who accompanied him to meetings. At times, they included Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Deb Fischer, R-Neb.

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Thune succeeded McConnell as Republican leader. (Getty Images)

Weekly leadership meetings are also regularly attended by elected leaders of the conference, such as Senate President Pro-Tempore Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Senate Republican John Barrasso, R-Wyo, Senate Republican Conference Chairman Cotton, and the Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Republican Conference Vice Chairman James Lankford, R-Okla., and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman (NRSC) Tim Scott, RS.C.

Each member of Thune’s new informal team brings their own style and priorities.

Marsha Blackburn

Blackburn brings the advantage of her connections to President-elect Trump and his sphere of influence. The Tennessee Republican has her finger on the pulse of the “Make America Great Again” movement and in this role can help ensure that the leadership team remains as connected as possible.

She may also try to bridge any gaps between the group of conservative Republicans who have clashed with McConnell, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, since Blackburn has aligned with them on several issues.

In a statement, Blackburn told Fox News Digital: “My job supporting Leader Thune will be to advance the President’s nominations and ensure we champion the President’s agenda in the Senate to Make America Great Again.” “

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Each of Thune’s informal advisors brings different strengths to the table. (Reuters)

Steve Daines

Daines, fresh off a term as NRSC chairman in which he helped elect a Republican Senate majority, also brings to bear his great relationship with Trump and the team he brings to the White House. The senator also sits on the Finance Committee, which will take center stage during the tax debate, which Trump has made one of his top priorities. Republicans plan to extend key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as they expire this year. Daines will be a key person between the committee and leadership as they work to carry out Trump’s agenda.

The Montana Republican, who also sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), brings important knowledge of the intersection of politics and policy as Trump and Republicans have tried to do as much as they can in his first 100 days in office to achieve – including action on several global issues.

“Senate Republicans are ready to get to work implementing President Trump’s agenda for a secure border, lower taxes, safe cities, lower prices, affordable gasoline, an end to reckless spending and strong national security. I look forward to working with Leader Thune and the “I want to encourage the rest of our colleagues to deliver these successes to the American people,” Daines said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

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Mullin is a key Trump ally who is well-connected in both the House and Senate. (Markwayne Mullin for Senate)

Markwayne Mullin

Mullin has proven invaluable to his colleagues as a key link between Trump, the House and the Senate. He was the first senator to publicly endorse Thune for the leadership role and previously served as part of his deputy whip team. His solid relationship with Trump is expected to shape relations between the chamber and the new president. Notably, Mullin was one of Trump’s surrogates in the 2024 campaign, traveling with both President-elect and Vice President-elect JD Vance and supporting Republican Senate candidates across the country.

“It is an honor to sit at Senator Thune’s leadership table,” Mullin said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “From border security and reducing regulations to funding our military and expanding tax breaks, Leader Thune is the right person to lead the Senate’s efforts to implement President Donald J. Trump’s America First agenda. I’m proud to fight alongside him on this side.” As the leader often says: “When someone else is in a better position to take the shot, you always make the extra pass.” This is how we want to govern this majority. It’s all hands on deck to keep the American people safe, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve.

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John Cornyn

As a 22-year veteran senator and former leadership member, Cornyn brings critical experience to Thune’s leadership team. The Texas senator is a member of the all-important Budget Committee and in that role is expected to make passing a budget and reining in federal spending one of his priorities. He is also a member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus, which will help support the new advisory board announced by Trump. DOGE is led by billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Now at the helm of the Senate, House and presidency, Republicans have their best chance in years to dictate spending levels.

Cornyn has spent more than 22 years in the Senate. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In his recent remarks, Cornyn outlined his priorities for this Congress. “We have an opportunity to achieve great success for President Trump and especially for the American people, and that comes first through the budget reconciliation process. This is a unique opportunity,” he emphasized.

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“We cannot let this go to waste by not taking advantage of this opportunity to finally address our skyrocketing debt,” he said.

Cornyn concluded: “We still have a lot of work to do, but this is an incredible opportunity that I trust we will not pass up.”