Trump's Nominations: What Is the Game Plan?
Why Pick Second, Third and Fourth Tier Candidates with Baggage?
Everyone has been amazed at the rapid fire nominations and appointments made by President-Elect Trump. But people wonder why he is appointing people having questionable qualifications for their jobs and who often come with a load of baggage that was probably not well vetted before their announcements. Trump stated that loyalty is his number one criteria, and it far exceeds job qualifications.
The Trump Nominees:
Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Many people’s first reaction to appointment of the Capitol Hill bomb thrower was, “I didn’t know he was a lawyer.” His CV shows only two years of low level work at a Florida law firm. But his alienation of Congressional Republicans makes his confirmation chances difficult. Then there is the Ethics Report, now buried by Republicans, but which will probably see the light of day when Senate confirmation hearings are held. Update: Gaetz withdrew as AG.
Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. Ms. Gabbard, a former member of Congress as a Democrat, has now shifted to the Republican side. She is widely known for comments supporting the world view and strategies of Vladimir Putin and supporting the butcher of Syria, Bashar al-Assad. Xi Jinping has received favorable commentary. A recent Moscow TV program referred to Gabbard as “Moscow’s Girlfriend.”
Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. Hegseth has been a Fox broadcast personality. He served time in the military in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hegseth was the subject of a complaint by a woman to the Monterey Police Department of sexual assault which Hegseth says was consensual. But the police report said, “Mr. Hegseth took her phone, blocked his hotel room door when she tried to leave, and sexually assaulted her, ejaculating on her stomach.” Quote NY Times. Hegseth paid the woman a settlement.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for head of Health and Human Services. The extreme vaccine skeptic has said no vaccine is safe. He has no medical training. Known as a gadfly and rejected by the Kennedy family for his political swing to the Trumpian right. An environmental lawyer until he focused on health issues.
Mohammed Oz for head of Medicare and Medicaid. Dr. Oz lost his Senate race to John Fetterman. He has been known as a purveyor of questionable remedies including injection of hydrochloroquine to prevent Covid despite the absence of any scientific evidence that it is effective. A TV doctor fitting into Trump’s preference pattern.
So, why is Trump nominating such questionable candidates who present challenging confirmation efforts?
Subservience
Trump is seeking people who are not only loyal but are willing to be totally subservient to him. Trump is seeking a cadre who will bend at his will, implement whatever he wants, and just be loyal soldiers following orders. By nominating people who would not attain the positions on their own merit, Trump will hold them in a tight policy embrace; no deviations from what the President-elect seeks to have implemented. Trump will just push a button and his appointees will obey without question. For a would-be dictator this is a perfect situation that will allow his majesty to sit on a throne and bark commands to his troops, and they will follow without foot-dragging or need to call the lawyers for advice.
Displaying Control of the Senate
Trump has picked some difficult nominees making Senate confirmation a challenge, but this gives Trump the opportunity to flex his political muscle with the Senate Republicans to demonstrate who is in control. He already has JD Vance and others working the Senate offices to insure favorable votes on even the questionable appointments. So, by selecting difficult confirmation appointees, Trump can demonstrate who is boss by imposing tough demands on any recalcitrant Senator. If successful, Trump can add any confirmations to the reasons why the Republican Senate will need to follow Trump even when they have misgivings.
Trump Picks TV Camera Ready People
Trump likes images, and he is selecting people who fit into his image of who can look good in front of a camera. It was reported that transition planning at Mar-a-Lago consisted of projections of candidates on a screen with Trump being able to select the personal images he liked best.
Does Trump Have Back-up Candidates?
How long will Trump continue a confirmation battle before yielding to the inevitable? Some suggested he is flooding the zone with his preferred nominees but is ready with back-up candidates if they falter.
Will Trump Try the Recess Appointment Dodge?
Trump has said he wants the Senate to adjourn for ten days so he can make recess appointments not needing Senate confirmation. Senator Thune, the incoming Majority Leader, has not shown any willingness to accept this dodge around the Senate’s Constitutional right of Advice and Consent. To accede to this Trump preference would make the Senate totally subservient to Trump and is probably a bridge too far. Senators have not shown any willingness to relinquish their Constitutional authority.
