GOP mutters, gently, as Trump sidesteps Senate for top aides

Republican senators are muttering about President Donald Trump's anointment of Ken Cuccinelli and others as acting heads of major federal agencies. But their complaints are muffled, even though their job description includes confirming top administration aides.

Their reluctance to confront Trump comes as analysts say he's placed acting officials in key posts in significantly higher numbers than his recent predecessors.

The practice lets Trump quickly, if temporarily, install allies in important positions while circumventing the Senate confirmation process. That process can be risky with Republicans running the chamber by a slim 53-47 margin.

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2019 file photo, acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan speaks about the situation in the Persian Gulf region during a meeting with Portuguese Minister of National Defense Joao Cravinho, at the Pentagon. President Donald Trump has placed acting officials in key posts in significantly higher numbers than his recent predecessors. The practice lets him quickly, if temporarily, install allies in important positions while circumventing the Senate confirmation process, which can be risky with Republicans running the chamber by a slim 53-47 margin. (AP PhotoManuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Trump has put Cuccinelli atop U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Cuccinelli is a conservative who's taken hard-line positions on immigration and led a group that considered Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell too moderate.

FILE - In this June 11, 2019 file photo, acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trump has placed acting officials in key posts in significantly higher numbers than his recent predecessors. The practice lets him quickly, if temporarily, install allies in important positions while circumventing the Senate confirmation process, which can be risky with Republicans running the chamber by a slim 53-47 margin. (AP PhotoPablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.

The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods tied for 61st among the 74 players who finished. The top five advanced to regional qualifying.

Woods shot 40 on the front nine, opening bogey-double bogey. He followed a birdie on the par-3 fifth with another double bogey. He shot 41 on the back with three bogeys and a double bogey.

The U.S. Open will be played June 13-16 at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

Woods also struggled in February in a pre-qualifier for the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic, taking a 12 on a hole and shooting a 16-over 86 at Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound.

Woods has played the 36-hole PNC Championship with his father the last four years in a scramble format.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

FILE - Charlie Woods tees off during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods, failed to qualify for his first U.S. Open after shooting 9-over 81 on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.(AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski, File)