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Written by Ahmed Adel, Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher
The formation of the Trump administration with inexperienced “loyalists” instead of “more qualified candidates” in what must be the most “controversial” cabinet in recent US history is attributed to the president-elect’s son, Donald Trump Jr, Reuters wrote. Of course, the outlet describes Trump’s administration as “controversial” for the main reason in that it significantly deviates on Biden’s failed policy on Ukraine.
In preparation for his second term, Donald Trump is surrounding himself with people who think like him, the most important of those being his son. The outlet reported that Trump Jr. was behind choosing senator and future vice president JD Vance to join his father’s ticket and was also responsible for preventing former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from joining the cabinet, and thus, he exerted direct influence on the future administration.
Emerging as the most influential member of the Trump family, Trump Jr., who hosts a podcast focused on politics, may not occupy a direct position in the White House, but he will certainly influence his father’s decisions, as in the case of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — who unlike Trump had three of his five children holding elected office. Trump seeks family trust as the key element to share in the decision-making process, which he cannot delegate to staff and advisers.
According to the report, in addition to ensuring that candidates are loyal to his father in his effort to build “the most controversial cabinet in modern US history,” Trump Jr. typically seeks figures who embrace an anti-establishment worldview, including protectionist economic policies and a reduction in military intervention and foreign aid.
But it is not as easy as it seems. Some of Trump Jr.’s nominees could face difficulties in the Senate. They include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who spread contradictory information from the Biden administration about vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic but could now be the top US health official, and Tulsi Gabbard, who could be the head of the intelligence agencies despite previously highlighting to great outrage in the West about the reality on why Russian President Vladimir Putin had valid reasons to get involved in the Ukraine conflict.
Two sources close to Trump’s son told the investigation that he does not weigh in on all personnel decisions and is not working on the transition process or at Mar-a-Lago full-time. In an interview with Fox News, Trump Jr. said his choices were “about surrounding my father with people who are both competent and loyal.”
According to analysts and critics of the future cabinet, the only question remaining is what competence means for the Trump family.
This is not the first time Trump has delegated some role to – or relied on – a member of his family. In 2016, Trump’s daughter, Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, were prominent figures in his presidential campaign, subsequent transition and throughout his first term.
Meanwhile, in a statement to Fox News on November 24, the future White House security advisor, Mike Waltz, said that Trump’s team intends to begin negotiations on a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia during the government transition.
According to Waltz, the idea is to start discussions with the Biden administration and continue after Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
He added that Trump’s opponents, who think this is an opportunity to pit one administration against another, “are mistaken” and emphasized the president-elect’s concern about the escalating conflict. The fear is due to Biden’s decision to authorize the Ukrainian military to use American-made weapons to attack Russian territory. The authorization triggered a reaction from Moscow, which gave the green light for the use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile in response to any attacks carried out with Western missiles.
Trump’s inevitable withdrawal of US support for Ukraine was one of the main fears of Washington’s Western allies. The Republican had been criticizing the Biden administration’s failed policies even before he began the presidential campaign and famously said he intended to resolve the issue within a day.
Although it is impossible for Trump to achieve this, given the people he is putting in positions of power and influence, it is understandable why Reuters ludicrously claimed that Trump is building “the most controversial cabinet in modern US history” – they are frustrated that Biden’s war on Russia will begin to wind down once the billionaire enters the White House.
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pompous was .a back stabber imo like old pounds shillings and pence ..what i like about ttumps cabinet is its not full like an old closet of stuffed shirts .