The second coming of the Trump presidency in 2025 has generated significant controversy and speculation over the potential makeup of his cabinet. With Trump’s unconventional approach to governance and his tendency to appoint loyalists, there are grave concerns about the qualifications and ideological leanings of his prospective cabinet members. Trump did win the election over Vice President Kamala Harris to the dismay of many given his xenophobia, his two convictions and his incessant lying. What we now face as a country is a cavalcade of chaos with some of the most controversial nominees and policies in the history of the Republic. With all three Houses of government controlled by the GOP the opportunity to change the U.S is upon us; from gutting the regulatory and federal bureaucracy to more tax cuts and return to the possibility of internment camps as well as mass deportations. In regards to his cabinet, the former and future president-elect is more concerned with loyalty than competence as can be exemplified in his choices to run our government. The number one concern is the lack of relevant experience for many of these nominees; Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who served in Iraq for the Hawaii Army National Guard, is the pick for the Director of National Intelligence. Cong. Gabbard would oversee 18 intelligence organizations including the CIA and NSA. She has no familiarity or knowledge in this area, and has been quoted as supporting the former dictator of Syria Hafez al-Assad. Also former Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, was quoted as saying that Gabbard was “parroting fake Russian propaganda.” Trump’s choice to head The Department of Health and Human Services, environmental attorney Robert F, Kennedy Jr., has been vehemently criticized for his anti-vaccine stance including an open letter to the Senate from recent Nobel prize winners including Drew Weissman. He is the scientist who developed RNA vaccines that helped eradicate the COVID-19 coronavirus during the pandemic.
Pete Hegseth is another potential nominee, chosen to be the US Secretary of defense in the new administration. Although he served in Both Iraq and Afghanistan, he lacks senior military or national security experience. Further, his scandal sheet echoes George H. W. Bush’s pick for defense secretary, John Tower, who also had onerous alcohol and sexual assault accusations levied against him . Trump has also nominated Kash Patel to be FBI director, a post instrumental in protecting the citizens of this country. Last year, Mr. Patel explained on a podcast that he will “go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media … who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections.” His stance worries many in law enforcement that he will undermine the independence of both the Justice Department and the FBI, resulting in long standing damage to the rule of law.
The aforementioned choices for the next administration should send chills up the spine of the electorate, and it is crucial for the Senate to closely examine the proposed cabinet members and their potential impact on the country’s democratic institutions and global standing.
-— André Stark
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