Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty floated as possible Trump cabinet picks

Three members of Tennessee's congressional delegation are possibilities for cabinet posts should former President Trump win in November, according to a new report.

State of play: Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. Bill Hagerty and U.S. Rep. Mark Green were mentioned by Punchbowl News as potential appointees.

Why it matters: The trio are unabashedly pro-Trump and two were appointed to administration positions during his first term.

Flashback: Trump appointed Hagerty as ambassador to Japan. Green was appointed secretary of the Army, although he subsequently withdrew from the nomination after controversy emerged over his previous statements about the LGBTQ+ community and Muslims.

What they're saying: Gathering fodder from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Punchbowl floated Blackburn as a possible commerce secretary pick.

• Blackburn's close ties to Trump were on display at the Republican National Convention. She chaired the group that developed the Republican National Committee's policy platform and earned a primetime speaking spot.
• Hagerty is mentioned as a strong possibility for treasury secretary: "The case for Hagerty is he understands financial markets and, more importantly, was ambassador to Japan and understands the U.S. relationship with China."

The intrigue: Green chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security. According to Punchbowl, he would be a contender for director of Homeland Security.

• "House Republicans tell us that Green is seen as wanting Homeland Security," Punchbowl reports, adding that he'll likely have stiff competition.

What we're watching: If Blackburn or Hagerty takes a job in the Trump administration, it would fall to Gov. Bill Lee to appoint their replacement.

• That could throw a wrench into the 2026 governor's race since some of the same contenders for that job would likely be interested in a Senate appointment.
• State law says the governor's appointee would serve until the next federal election in 2026.

Go deeper: Trump closed the RNC on Thursday night with a 92-minute speech.

Read the Punchbowl story