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Trump’s Cabinet nominees have diverse ideologies that are hidden behind the slogan of ‘America First’. Some nominees are driven by a desire for revenge, others are focused on stabilizing the markets, and another group is dedicated to making significant cuts to both personnel and budgets, though this may be a challenging task.
Written by David E. Sanger
Throughout his long career as a journalist for The Times, David E. Sanger has reported on the administrations of five different American presidents.
Before taking office, President-elect Donald J. Trump made his last selections for his cabinet and other positions, creating what his team called a cohesive and devoted administration focused on Making America Great Again. However, beneath the surface, there are three separate groups with varying beliefs and ideals that have been kept in check during the confirmation process.
A group of individuals seeking revenge, led by potential candidates, are instructed to dismantle the Justice Department, intelligence agencies, and Defense Department. Their goal is to target the so-called deep state and individuals involved in prosecuting Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump is looking to assemble a team to help stabilize the markets, with Scott Bessent as a potential leader. Bessent, a Wall Street billionaire and potential pick for Treasury secretary, aligns with Trump’s views on deregulation and lower taxes. However, he may work to prevent Trump’s more radical ideas, such as imposing tariffs that could cause inflation and disrupt the post-election stock market growth.
A team led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy is working on reducing 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 cost of salaries for all federal employees. (In 2024, the total federal budget was $6.75 trillion.)
One of the major uncertainties of the new administration is how these missions will align and intersect.
Having a variety of beliefs and opinions is typically viewed as a positive aspect of presidential cabinets. However, what stands out about President Trump’s recent selections is the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives that may not align perfectly with his "Make America Great Again" platform or personal loyalty. Some of his picks may not seem like they would fit in at a Trump rally.
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