Transition of Power
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Analysis of current
Trump’s Cabinet: Diverse beliefs hidden by the slogan ‘America First’
Some potential nominees are seeking revenge, others are trying to stabilize markets, and a third group is determined to reduce staffing and budgets, even though it may be a difficult task.
Written by David E. Sanger
During his career at The Times, David E. Sanger has reported on the activities of five different American presidents for over 40 years.
The last set of cabinet picks and appointments by President-elect Donald J. Trump were seen by his aides as forming a cohesive and loyal administration focused on the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) agenda. However, beneath the surface, there are at least three separate factions and a variety of ideologies that are only just held in check during the confirmation process.
A group seeking revenge is being led by potential candidates, aiming to dismantle the Justice Department, intelligence agencies, and Defense Department. They are targeting the deep state and individuals involved in prosecuting Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump has assembled a team focused on keeping the markets stable, with Scott Bessent as a potential leader. Bessent, a billionaire from Wall Street chosen by Trump for Treasury secretary, is familiar with Trump’s policies on deregulation and tax cuts. However, he may work to prevent Trump’s more drastic measures, such as imposing tariffs that could lead to inflation, from disrupting the post-election growth in the stock market.
There is a team led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy that aims to significantly reduce the size of the government. Their goal is to cut at least $2 trillion from the annual federal budget, which is more than the total amount spent on federal employee salaries. The total federal budget in the 2024 fiscal year was $6.75 trillion.
One of the biggest uncertainties of the new administration is how these missions will come together or conflict with each other.
Having a variety of different beliefs and opinions is typically viewed as a positive aspect of presidential cabinets. However, the recent selections made by Mr. Trump have surprised some people due to the diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives that may not align completely with his "Make America Great Again" platform or loyalty to him. It is difficult to picture a few of his choices feeling at ease at a Trump rally.
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