How Minnesota’s lawmakers in D.C. will fit in to a second Trump presidency

NINA MOINI: Well, we're going to end the show with inauguration day that's just around the corner. President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office January 20. We're looking at how Minnesota fits into a second Trump presidency.

So, Brian, I want to start with our two US senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. They've been part of the majority for years, but Democrats in the Senate now are in the minority. So what's their role?

BRIAN BAKST: Yeah, it's a new reality. Instead of getting to control the agenda and have their bills naturally advance, they'll need to rely on Republicans to embrace their proposals. You know, Klobuchar has made a career out of the bipartisan bill, so it might be easier for her.

Smith's seat is on the ballot in 2026, so Republicans might not want to do her any favors. Given that she plans to run again. But remember that most things, not all, require 60 Senate votes to break a filibuster and move ahead. So there is some power for the minority.

Klobuchar, you know, she's moved up the ranks. At the start of her fourth term, she'll be the third ranking Senate Democrat. She's the lead on the Senate Agriculture Committee, the lead Democrat. And Smith is also on that panel. So out of the gate, Democrats could side with Republicans on some foreign policy, and we'll also be watching to see what they do on the confirmation of Trump appointees.

NINA MOINI: OK, and how about Minnesota's congressional delegation with our highest ranking House member who's a Republican, Tom Emmer? He's the GOP Whip. So what's that role?

BRIAN BAKST: Yeah, he's the chief vote counter for a very, very slim House Majority and just a couple of votes for his party to spare. And we've seen a lot of bills go down in the House over the years, given the factions within the Republican Party. And just before Christmas, we saw some brinksmanship over a must pass spending bill when Trump and businessman Elon Musk, who is a big Trump ally, helped sink one version. That could become the formula and make life tougher for Tom Emmer and GOP House leaders, I should note that President-elect Donald Trump endorsed Mike Johnson to have another role as speaker in this next term.

NINA MOINI: OK, but what's Emmer's relationship to Trump? They're pretty close.

BRIAN BAKST: Yeah, he's got a hot and cold relationship with Trump. He was one of the early Trump backers in 2016 in Minnesota, and Trump has supported Emmer in his prior runs. But Trump did tank Emmer's shortlived bid for House Speaker in 2023. Since then, the two have been on better terms, I guess.

NINA MOINI: OK, and how about our other members of Congress?

BRIAN BAKST: Yeah, so that's Tom Emmer, and Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach, and Pete Stauber make up the four Republicans. And they basically represent the greater Minnesota districts. For Democrats, Betty McCollum is returning as is Ilhan Omar, who attracts a fair amount of attention on the political left and derision from the right. And then there's Morrison, who we just heard from, and Angie Craig, who's taking on a new role as the top ranking Democratic member of the House Agriculture Committee.

And if you remember, we just talked about how Amy Klobuchar has that assignment in the Senate. So Minnesota will have a big role in shaping farm policy and nutrition programs. One other point of interest, Nina-- Minnesota has seven women and three men in the delegation. That's never happened before, and it's quite a sea change from the past.

NINA MOINI: Interesting. The highest ranking appointee to Donald Trump's cabinet is also from Minnesota, Pete Hegseth, and his nomination is to lead the Defense Department. Where does his confirmation stand, Brian?

BRIAN BAKST: Yeah, he's still searching for the votes. He appears to have calmed the feeding frenzy that had his nomination on shaky ground in November. There were concerns that the former Fox News host, military veteran, and Forest Lake Native didn't have the proper temperament. There were allegations of sexual misconduct, which he's denied, and problem drinking, which he says is behind him. He's also made controversial statements about the role of women and gay people in combat. We've seen former Senator Norm Coleman, a Republican, has been working alongside Hegseth to help him win over Senate Republicans, and all eyes will be on his first confirmation hearings on January 14.

NINA MOINI: Before, I let you go, Brian, what are you and the team going to be paying close attention to in the next year, in 2025?

BRIAN BAKST: Well, obviously, we'll be watching those lingering cases and those-- related to those elections. That one in Shakopee is still yet to come. Any day now, we'll hear about that and those special elections in the House and Senate, two of them, maybe three, possibly four, and how that closely divided legislature operates. And there's just a lot to keep track of. And of course, we have those mayoral races in Minneapolis and st. Paul this year.

NINA MOINI: Yeah, those always have an impact at the legislature, it seems, too. Well, Brian Bakst, I want to thank you so much for joining us this hour. Appreciate you and the whole team.

BRIAN BAKST: Glad to be here, and I'll do it again.