Facing tough questions on tariffs and the administration’s attempted freeze on federal funding, Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Commerce Department, told senators Wednesday that he aims to crack down on both trade allies and adversaries who treat the U.S. “horribly.”
Although his promise to bring supply chains onshore and boost U.S. competitiveness on artificial intelligence and other technologies was met with bipartisan approval, Democrats tried to nail down Lutnick’s stance on sweeping tariff plans and a pause on already-obligated program funds. The Trump administration, after a backlash, rescinded an Office of Management and Budget memo that froze many grant, loan and assistance program funds.
Meanwhile, Republicans lauded Lutnick’s business acumen. Vice President JD Vance, who introduced the nominee at the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing, called Lutnick a “good dude.”
