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For almost two years, J.D. Vance, the freshman Senator from Ohio, operated under the radar in the Capitol. Transitioning from a background in finance to becoming a bestselling author and then a supporter of Trump, Vance didn’t attract much attention. However, this week marked a turning point as he maneuvered through the Senate halls on Wednesday, striving to convince his colleagues to set aside their serious concerns regarding one of Trump’s contentious Cabinet nominees. On Thursday, he returned to promote an alternative candidate also facing scrutiny.

Vance’s critical mission was to rescue the nominations of former Representative Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Pete Hegseth, a weekend host on Fox and Friends, for Secretary of Defense. Both nominees were mired in significant allegations, including sexual misconduct, and their backgrounds would likely have led to their nominations being dismissed in a political landscape that predated Trump.

So far, Vance’s attempts have produced mixed outcomes—he has succeeded with one nomination while failing with the other. Despite claims of fruitful discussions from Trump’s team, the opposition to Gaetz proved too formidable. On Thursday, Gaetz announced his withdrawal from consideration, indicating potential constraints on Trump’s influence and showing that Senate Republicans might not always comply with the President-elect’s push for seemingly unsuitable candidates. The absence of a hearing for Gaetz suggests he could be among the first to fall victim to Trump’s initial choices, as Senators demonstrate that their patience with Trumpism has limits.

Gaetz’s nomination for the nation’s chief law enforcement position was predictably doomed, despite Trump’s endorsement. Currently, Gaetz is under investigation by former colleagues in the House concerning allegations involving sex, drugs, finances, and minors. In an attempt to halt the ethics panel’s inquiry, he resigned just days before a report was due. Lawmakers are still weighing the panel’s findings, having met on Wednesday while Gaetz was present but failing to reach a conclusion; they plan to reconvene in December, although urgency may have waned with his nomination’s collapse. The Department of Justice also conducted an investigation into similar allegations against Gaetz but ultimately did not file charges. Furthermore, even some Republican peers have questioned Gaetz’s suitability as the nation’s top law enforcement officer, given his reputation as a pro-Trump provocateur and his lack of experience managing large organizations.

This defiance, however, seems to align with Trump’s standards for Cabinet selections in his second term. Long critical of traditional qualifications, Trump appears intent on challenging norms and asserting that anything is possible—at least until it’s not.

Here are some examples:

Then there’s Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who recently appeared in a TIME cover story. While Musk does not hold an official position in the incoming government, he remains a significant figure in Trump’s fluctuating circle of loyalists. However, he too is not without controversy, facing allegations ranging from wrongful terminations due to hostile work environments to claims of offering a horse in exchange for an erotic massage. Numerous reports detail alleged sexual interactions between Musk and his employees.

It’s crucial to note that the rest of Trump’s potential Cabinet isn’t significantly more qualified; they simply lack the same level of personal controversies. For instance, former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a veteran, has perplexed intelligence experts with Trump’s interest in appointing her as his top intelligence adviser. Her past sympathetic remarks about Russia and Syria have raised concerns about her judgment, with Hillary Clinton previously labeling her a “Moscow puppet.” Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who served during Trump’s initial term, called Gabbard a “Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer” just recently.

Additionally, Dr. Mehmet Oz is being considered for the role of running the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a vast agency responsible for significant entitlement programs and public health initiatives. The former television personality, who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2022, lacks experience in managing a large bureaucracy like CMS and has seen his medical reputation tarnished after years promoting products and advice deemed unsupported by scientific evidence. Nevertheless, like others on this list, he knows how to sell a product in front of the camera, as illustrated by his televised “physical” exam of Trump back in 2016.

Collectively, this group seems ill-equipped to help Trump maintain a narrow governing majority in Washington. The GOP-controlled House may rely on just a handful of votes, while the Senate offers Republicans a slim margin for nominations. Major legislation requiring 60 votes will necessitate the support of seven lawmakers who typically align with Democrats. Pushing forward nominees with allegations of sexual assault, misconduct, or extreme ideologies is unlikely to win over skeptical lawmakers—whether they are part of the President’s team or his administration.

This scenario evokes memories of past events. In 2018, Trump successfully nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, igniting a contentious debate in Washington following the #MeToo movement. The Senate ultimately confirmed him with a narrow 50-48 vote, despite allegations of sexual assault dating back to high school. This conflict highlighted how little progress had been made regarding the treatment of women and the repercussions faced by some men for their actions.

It’s noteworthy that the President who championed Kavanaugh’s nomination and stood firm amid the surrounding controversies is the same individual who rose to power after a tape surfaced in which he bragged about his own sexual assaults.

Now, six years later, Trump is on the verge of reclaiming power as the first incoming President with criminal felony convictions, having been found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case and facing various indictments. He seeks individuals who mirror his persona: charismatic in front of a camera, dubious about facts, and comfortable dismissing their own questionable histories. In this light, Vance’s allies in the Capitol may fit seamlessly into Trump’s vision, although they may not necessarily serve the best interests of their fellow Republicans, as evidenced by Gaetz’s nomination outcome, suggesting that Senators might be becoming increasingly aware of this reality.

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