LEFT ATTEMPTING TO STOP TRUMP APPOINTMENTS

 

[Published in Sunday Guardian of India]

Washington, DC.

President-Elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet Level Appointees are facing an array of personal and political attacks from Democrats and media commentators.

Defense Secretary-Designate Pete Hegseth is accused of sexual assault during a 2017 speaking engagement.  Hegseth’s attorney is threatening to sue the accuser.  There have also been rumors of his heavy drinking.

Trump posted a strong affirmation of his support for Hegseth on Truth Social.

“Pete is a WINNER, there is nothing that can be done to change that.”

There had been speculation that Hegseth’s nomination may be withdrawn and alternative candidates, including Florida Governor Ron Desantis and Senator Joni Ernst, have been floated.

The Hegseth attacks echo the charges leveled against Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee, Brent Kavanaugh in 2018.  During his Senate Confirmation, Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault and heavy drinking while in college.  Three days of emotional hearings led to Kavanaugh being confirmed by the Senate on a 50-48 vote (two Senators were absent).

Kash Patel, Trump’s Director-Designate to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also drawing fire from Democrats and the media.  In his case, they criticize his lack of management experience and record of criticizing corruption and bias within the FBI.

Trump’s selection of nontraditional nominees is consistent with his pledge to “Drain the Swamp” and implement revolutionary change in the way the Federal Government operates. 

The Washington elites, in Congress, the media, academia, bureaucracy, and government contractors are afraid Trump will succeed.  Ending decades of unaccountable spending, regulatory overreach, and self-serving decisions are top priorities for Trump and his team.

People are Policy

A new President can select 8,167 people to help run the Executive Branch of the U.S. Federal Government.  This includes White House staff and heads of Agencies and Cabinet Departments. 

Approximately 1,093 require Senate confirmation, including various Advisory Boards and Regulatory Commissions.

Democrats hope by stopping, or at least delaying, Senate approvals they will hamper Trump’s ability to implement real change.

Democrats and their media allies are hoping their accusations will peel-away support among Republican Senators.  Republicans will have a 53-47 majority in the Senate when it convenes in January 2025.  Trump’s nominees can only lose three Republicans and still win confirmation.

Two Republican Senators, Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), regularly break with their colleagues to oppose Trump.  This is ironic as they both supported Biden’s controversial Cabinet picks – Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.  They also supported transgender leftist Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health.

Trump’s unwavering support for his nominees and the willingness of his nominees to confront their attackers could be the winning combination as confirmation hearings begin in January 2025.