Twenty-four Democrats and every Republican in the U.S. Senate this week confirmed Doug Collins as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs .
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey was not one of them.
“I’m going to vote against every one of Donald Trump’s nominees,” Markey said on Thursday on Boston Public Radio.
Markey stated that he could not explain why so many Democrats voted in favor of Collins’ confirmation. Collins, a former congressman, has been a close ally of Trump’s and defended him during impeachment proceedings.
Markey also weighed in on other controversial nominations, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard , predicting they would also be confirmed.
“I hate to say it, I think the same thing’s going to happen,” he said. “I’m just afraid that Republicans right now are more afraid of their own job security than they are of the implications for families who are going to be negatively impacted all across the country for years to come.”
Markey expressed concerns over Trump’s policies — particularly on climate change, healthcare, and federal spending — that he argued will harm American families in the long run.
He urged the Senate and the House to block any legislation that seeks to further Trump’s agenda.
“We [also] have to encourage the courts to continue to make the kinds of decisions which they have made over the last week protecting birthright citizenship , ensuring that there is no freeze on federal spending , or ensuring that now that the DOJ’s teenagers don’t have access to the Treasury data ,” he said.
Markey pointed out Trump’s actions, such as attempting to freeze federal grants, could’ve had a direct impact on Massachusetts. He noted the billion-dollar grant secured in 2024 for the Cape Cod Bridge replacement as an example.
“The contracts have been signed with the state of Massachusetts, it’s legally binding,” he said. “It’s illegal what they’re trying to do and they’re going to try to steal from the people in Massachusetts.”
Markey expressed optimism about the growing public opposition to Trump’s policies.
“I don’t believe we’re going to have a silent spring,” Markey predicted. ”We’re going to have a massive set of demonstrations across our country and hopefully in Washington, D.C., itself as he tries to cut Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act, clean air, clean water … all of these programs meant to protect American families.”
Markey also noted a surge in people reaching out to his office by the thousands, signaling that many in Massachusetts are becoming more engaged and vocal.
“We’re going to have a lot of work as the Democratic Party. And all I can tell you is Trump is a uniter, not a divider,” Markey said. “Trump is now uniting the Democratic Party in a way that it has not been united in some time. And it’s going to give us an opportunity to fight back.”
