Sunday shows preview: Trump hedges on Hegseth, DOGE; Biden pardon fallout

President-elect Trump’s first sit down interview since the 2024 election will air on Sunday where he will likely address future plans for his second administration and advocate for Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, who faces an uphill confirmation battle.

The former Fox News host has faced backlash over an alleged drinking problem and sexual assault allegations from years past. Despite pushback, Hegseth and Trump remain determined to clear a path for him to receive Senate confirmation for the post. 

As the former president continues to charter an approach to leadership aimed at restructuring the federal government, lawmakers are courting his picks as they take meetings with Trump's selections, many of which are political outsiders.

One of those most prominent newcomers is tech giant Elon Musk, who met with representatives on the Hill last week.  Elected officials will likely address his visit to the Capitol and more on this week’s Sunday shows.

Billionaire Frank McCourt will join CBS’s “Face the Nation” for discussions that will presumably address Trump’s Cabinet, which is stocked with Wall Street executives, wealthy businessmen and finance aficionados. 

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is expected to speak on ABC’s “This Week” and may reiterate his support for Musk's, who he believes helps fuel the state’s economy through electric vehicle production. 

Also, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D) is scheduled to join CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday where he may address widespread fear about Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, who he speculated may use the position to seek “revenge” against political opponents.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) who has openly voiced support for Trump’s picks, including Hegseth, is also set to make an appearance on the show.

Earlier in the week, President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter received widespread criticism from both sides of the aisle, which will likely be touched on by lawmakers Sunday morning.

Some guests may highlight the view that Biden's pardon could open the doors for possible pardons for J6 rioters under Trump, or urge Biden to pardon non-violent drug offenders and inmates on death row. Some Democrats could argue that those politically opposed to Trump should receive clemency in advance of the Republican’s second administration.

Here’s the full list of appearances on this week’s Sunday talk shows:

NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday”: Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.); Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.); Tom Dupree, former deputy assistant attorney general under President Bush

ABC’s “This Week”: Rep. Ro Khanna, (D-Calif.); retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, former commander of U.S. Central Command

CBS’s “Face the Nation”: Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio); Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.); Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.); Frank McCourt; Samantha Vinograd 

CNN’s “State of the Union”: Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.); Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); Rep. Debbie Dingell, (D-Mich.)

Fox News's "Fox News Sunday": Lt Gen H.R. McMaster (Ret), former national security adviser 

Fox News's "Sunday Morning Futures": Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.); Stephen Miller, incoming White House deputy chief of staff; Tom Homan, incoming White House border czar; Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

NBC’s “Meet the Press”: President-elect Trump