Sen. John Thune (R-S.D. The newly appointed Senate majority Leader, John Thune (R-S.D.), sought to dispel any doubts that there is “no daylight between him and President-elect Trump” in the hours leading up to his colleagues’ narrow vote for him to be their leader.

Thune’s greatest obstacle in succeeding Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky as Senate GOP leader was concerns from a number Republican senators that he would be able to work closely with Trump.

Thune, ahead of the final vote on Wednesday, 29-24, tried to dispel those doubts by highlighting the role he played in crafting Trump’s signature tax law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, and in his efforts to push Trump’s agenda in the Senate in 2019 and 2020 as GOP whip.

“Sen. Thune stressed repeatedly — repeatedly — his support for President Trump. He understood that now we had a majority and needed to act on it. There is no daylight between Thune and Trump. ).

He said, “I hope it’s true.”

This win will set up a fascinating relationship for Trump and Thune.

Thune found himself in a difficult position only hours after securing his votes. Trump had nominated conservative Rep. Matt Gaetz, (R-Fla.), and former Rep. Tulsi Gabard, (I-Hawaii), to be Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence, respectively.

The announcements caused a storm of controversy immediately on Capitol Hill. Some Republican senators expressed surprise or outright objection to the announcement.

Sen. Thom Tillis, a member the Senate Judiciary Committee and Gaetz’s opponent, said that Gaetz would face a difficult path to confirmation even though Senate Republicans control 52 or 53 of the seats next year.

He warned, “At the very least, Congressman Gaetz will have an hearing, but I am all about counting the votes, and I think he has some work to do in order to get a strong vote.”

Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska Senator, told reporters bluntly that Gaetz was not a serious candidate.

She said, “We need a serious Attorney General.”

Thune promised at a news conference earlier that day that he’d push to confirm Trump’s nominees as soon as possible.

He said: “We’ll do all we can to get his nominees installed quickly so that they can start implementing his agenda.”

Thune on Sunday supported Trump’s request for the ability to make recess-appointed appointments. This would allow him fill key executive branch and judiciary positions without having nominees go through the Senate confirmation procedure.

Thune responded to a question on Wednesday about whether he’d “move ahead” in restoring Trump’s power to make recess appointment. “[What] we’re going do is ensure that we process his nominees so that they can get into these positions to implement his agenda.”

He said, “How it happens is yet to be seen.”

He made these statements before Trump’s bombshell announcements regarding Gaetz and Gabbard.

Gaetz’s selection is controversial because the House Ethics Committee investigated him for alleged sexual abuse and drug use.

Gabbard’s nomination is controversial because she has expressed doubts about the U.S. government’s claims that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons on his own people. She also defended Vladimir Putin, who invaded Ukraine in response to U.S. government allegations.

John Cornyn, a Republican senator from Texas who is a senior member on the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence Committees and has jurisdiction over the two nominees for the Justice Department and an important national security agency, was dumbfounded at Trump’s choice.

Cornyn scrunched his face up and turned a little pink when reporters asked him about Gaetz leading the Justice Department, but he managed to keep his message discipline.

He said, “We will do our work and vet the candidate,” in a terse manner.

He was also surprised that Trump chose Gabbard as the top U.S. intelligence officer.

When he was informed about the event, he raised his eyebrows and asked “Has it happened?”

Trump’s Senate allies said Wednesday that they expect Thune will keep his promises made during the Senate GOP Leadership race to stay close to Trump and to carry out Trump’s political and policy agenda.

A Republican senator, who asked to remain anonymous to discuss Thune and Trump’s relationship, said that “there is a fair bit of skepticism,” about the ability of the new Senate Majority Leader to support the President-elect with no waffling.

“He is on a short leash,” said the lawmaker, noting that just three votes were the difference in the race for the leadership, which Thune won with a 29-24 vote in the second round.

Trump was furious at Thune after the 2020 election when he promised to fight efforts by Trump-allied Senators to block certification of Biden electors in Arizona and Pennsylvania.

He called Thune a “RINO”, and “Mitch’s boy” in reference to his close relationship with McConnell.

Trump had called on Thune to be a primary opponent in 2022. However, the threat was not very serious, and Thune easily won reelection.

Thune visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago in March to try and mend fences.

Steve Daines, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (R-Mont. ), has a good relationship with Trump. He acts as a liaison between them and helps persuade him not to intervene in Thune’s chances of becoming majority leader. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is a close friend of Donald Trump and has been a conduit between them. He has also helped convince Trump to refrain from interfering in the race for the majority leader to undermine Thune’s chances, according to an insider.

Trump predicted in recent days to several Republican Senators that Thune would be elected majority leader. The president-elect was reportedly not interested in getting involved in this race.

Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma who publicly endorsed Thune in the early stages of the race for the Senate leadership position, stated that the new Senate GOP majority would “work closely with the President.”

He said: “President Trump has won a resounding victory in the election on Nov. 5, and the American people are looking for a new direction.” “The Senate and House must work closely with President Trump.” “The American people gave us this mandate.”

He admitted that “there were questions about that relationship between Trump and Thune” but said that both men had made great progress in resolving past differences.

He said that John Thune had worked hard to build this relationship.

Gaetz will also have to face tough questions during his confirmation hearing in order to pass the Senate.

There will be a lot questions. Mullin stated that he must answer these questions.

The second Republican, who asked to remain anonymous, predicted that the GOP conference will rally around Thune.