Senate Leadership Race, Cabinet Picks, and a National Mandate: Lee Schalk on OAN’s Weekly Briefing

ALEC Vice President of Policy Lee Schalk appeared on One America News Network’s Weekly Briefing with John Hines last weekend to discuss the burning issues of the day, including President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, leadership shifts in the Senate, and the mandate Trump received from voters.

Schalk began by addressing the Senate leadership changes following the retirement announcement of Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell. With South Dakota Senator John Thune assuming the role of Majority Leader, Schalk noted the challenges ahead for the GOP.

“The GOP has 53 seats, not 60,” Schalk said, emphasizing that Thune’s primary role would be navigating the Senate’s dynamics while ensuring the party maintains its majority. “His job is to make sure that with their votes, they’re able to protect that majority and secure any sort of re-election in the future.”

Schalk also pointed to the importance of the first 100 days under a new administration. He stressed that it’s not just about internal Washington politics but about addressing the issues that matter most to the American people—specifically, securing the border and addressing high prices.

“What really matters are the issues for the American people, securing our border, high prices, so they’ve got to get to work right away,” Schalk remarked, underlining the urgency of action as the nation transitions to a new leadership.

A key topic of the discussion was Trump’s cabinet picks and his selection of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Schalk welcomed these unconventional choices, emphasizing Trump’s desire to “shake up Washington.” He further echoed Musk’s sentiment that the goal isn’t to threaten democracy but to challenge the entrenched bureaucracy.

“We spent $1 trillion on interest payments last year,” Schalk noted, adding that federal spending of $6.75 trillion in 2024 demands a more disciplined approach.

Schalk also pointed out a generational shift in leadership, with millennials like JD Vance, Elise Stefanik, Vivek Ramaswamy, and others playing significant roles in the administration, calling it “a seismic shift in generational changes.”

There was also discussion on President Trump’s pick of Tom Holman, former acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for the Department of Homeland Security.

“Holman is committed to upholding the laws that we already have on the books,” Schalk said, referring to Trump’s continued focus on securing the U.S. border. He also lauded Noem’s ability to balance tough leadership with a state-focused perspective, noting her status as an ALEC alum.

In the end, Schalk’s appearance on Weekly Briefing underscored the importance of federalism, bold leadership, and fiscal responsibility at both the state and federal levels. He called for quick action on Trump’s priorities while stressing the importance of maintaining a focus on what truly matters to Americans.