The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Betsy DeVos’s confirmation is suddenly on thin ice. Her defeat would be almost unprecedented.

February 1, 2017 at 3:17 p.m. EST
During the White House daily briefing on Feb. 1, press secretary Sean Spicer discussed the confirmation of President Trump’s education secretary nominee, Betsy DeVos. (Video: Reuters)

Two Republican senators announced Wednesday that they will not support Betsy DeVos's nomination to become education secretary, in an unusual display of resistance from members of the president's own party to his chosen Cabinet pick.

And if a third Republican senator joins them, it may not only be unusual; it could be historic.