by Rahul Manchanda, Esq
President-Elect Donald Trump is a seasoned businessman from New York City, and is as tough as they come.
His track record, statements, and past behavior indicate that he is a ruthlessly smooth businessman, who believes in revenge (see Rosie O’Donnell and others), and never, ever forgets.
He may temporarily forgive, but he does not forget.
This rule of thumb has served him well in transforming his father’s multimillion dollar but fledgling real estate company into the multi-billion dollar international real estate powerhouse that it currently is.
So what gives in regards to the names of his Cabinet that are being floated around?
Mind you, some of the list below was gleaned from the New York Times, so a huge grain of salt should be taken before one delves into this analysis.
However, lets take a “look-see” at some of the names being bandied around to be installed in the President Trump White House, and let’s see if they comport with his style, history, and personality.
The danger is that people who have either demonstrated disloyalty in the past, or have shown lackluster support, or were Deep State members who stood against almost everything mentioned in Donald Trump’s campaign and mandate, would only serve to both undermine his chances for success, and worse, destroy and sabotage his vision to “Make America Great Again.”
Treasury Secretary
His top choices for Treasurer are Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, or Steve Mnuchin, his finance chairman and former Goldman Sachs executive.
They don’t bode well for moving away from the banking oligarchy, as Mr. Trump promised during his campaign.
In fact, JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon did not support Republican Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, yet some Trump advisers want America’s most famous banker to become Treasury Secretary to calm nerves on Wall Street.
His campaign finance manager, Steven Mnuchin, is a former Goldman Sachs Group banker, but at least he has that much coveted “loyalty factor” going for him.
Regarding the Treasury Secretary position, Thomas Barrack Jr. Founder, chairman and executive chairman of Colony Capital; private equity and real estate investor is both loyal as well as in agreement with Donald Trump, so he is a good choice.
And according to conventional wisdom, so does Jeb Hensarling, Representative from Texas and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.
Steven Mnuchin Former Goldman Sachs executive and Mr. Trump’s campaign finance chairman also has the 2 requisite qualities as described above, but Ron Paul calls him a neo-con infiltrator.
However Tim Pawlenty, Former Minnesota governor, as recently as August 2016 called Trump “unsound, uninformed, unhinged and unfit” to be president, and dropped his support.
Attorney General
The former New York City mayor, Rudy Giuliani, may be slated for attorney general, and he has certainly demonstrated his loyalty to Trump, even going against his own daughter in the process – a truly Abraham-Isaac moment in Republican politics – but what about agreement with Trump’s policies and vision? Rinse, lather and repeat on both loyalty and agreement with policy.
Leslie Rutledge, First female and first Republican, Elected Attorney General of Arkansas would be worth a consideration.
(See: Her speech at the RNC Convention)
She also served as Deputy Counsel at the National Republican Congressional Committee before joining the Republican National Committee as Counsel.
As US Attorney General, the nation’s top law enforcement official, they will have the authority to carry out Mr. Trump’s “law and order” platform, including his threat to “jail” Hillary Clinton.
As US Attorney General, the nation’s top law enforcement official, they will have the authority to carry out Mr. Trump’s “law and order” platform, including his threat to “jail” Hillary Clinton.
Another good choice for the US Attorney General position would be Trey Gowdy, a no-nonsense, US Constitution loving, extremely patriotic All-American prosecutor who enjoys a stellar reputation and respect from both sides of the aisle.
He has been tried, tested, and true on everything with balls of steel,from the IRS Scandals, to Hillary Clinton’s email and Benghazi investigations, only having been hampered by out of control renegade Democrats who would support Hillary Clinton through anything, including egregious violations of federal and state law.
The nominee can also change how civil rights laws are enforced.
Chief of Staff
Trump apparently chose Reince Preibus for his White House Chief of Staff, even though Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus condemned Donald Trump’s comments about women in a curt statement: “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.”
Does this mean that if Trump is once again set up by the now infamous Feminist Mafia led by Hillary Clinton et al, or if “new information comes to light,” as it always does, that Reince will once again throw Trump under the bus?
Only time will tell, but Reince’s disloyalty has already been shown.
Chief Strategist
The greatest and most perfect choice for Trumps inner sanctum sanctorum is for the Chief Strategist position in the form of Stephen K. Bannon.
No one has better encapsulated the necessary loyalty and policy agreements with Donald Trump than Mr Bannon – his closest advisor and confidante.
Stephen Bannon is an exemplary choice because he is brilliant (Harvard and Georgetown graduate) highly patriotic (former Naval Officer), and no-nonsense.
It also helps his credibility that the ones castigating and smearing him the most are the exact same enemies of America who were voted out of office and who are the same individuals that relentlessly targeted Donald Trump both during and after his campaign.
Secretary of State
As is discussed below, Secretary of State John R. Bolton is a horrible idea.
Bob Corker Senator from Tennessee and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee tried to distance himself from Trump in a statement and called Trump’s remarks “inappropriate.”
Newt Gingrich Former House speaker and a close adviser to Donald Trump, openly broke with Trump in August 2016 and endorsed Sen. John McCain (R?Ariz.) for reelection, against trump’s wishes, also calling him “unacceptable” at times.
There is simply not enough data on Zalmay Khalilzad, Former United States ambassador to Afghanistan, but the fact remains is that he was once a center of the storm in previous hardcore Neo-Conservative administrations.
Stanley A. McChrystal, Former senior military commander in Afghanistan, stated only as recently as July 2016 that “I would decline “any role” with Donald Trump.”
So much for loyalty or policy agreement, and he also actively supported Hillary Clinton for President.
Others of his top cabinet choices include ultra?neocon reactionaries, such as, Secretary of State, Newt Gingrich, the neo-con ex-House speaker who was even in Trump’s top choice as running mate; and John Bolton, ultra-Zionist and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations under George W. Bush.
Newt Gingrich is a true Republican gentleman and statesman and has never spoken ill of Trump on the record, even going so far as to knock out Trump’s enemies on live television (see Megyn Kelly verbal assault).
John Bolton is the most bizarre and truly cacophonous selection thus far, as he supports the lie that ISIS was not created by the United States, Saudi Arabia, London, Israel and Turkey and other gulf states to wreak havoc in the Middle East and serve as a “boogeyman” in the US and Europe in order to usher in marshal law.
He is the moral savage who brought shame on his country each day that he sat as America’s ambassador (unconfirmed) at the UN and who had told the world that a dead Israeli civilian is worth a whole lot more in terms of moral outrage than a Lebanese one.
Furthermore, Bolton voraciously supports finishing up his fellow neocons, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Feith and their cronies menu list of countries to preemptively “take out,” such as Iran, Russia, North Korea among others – He is truly a dyed in the wool neo-conservative/communist New World Order kook.
Trump should quickly and summarily eliminate him from the selection process, lest he lose support from the American people who believed in his promises when they voted for him.
John Bolton has also openly challenged Trump when in July 2016 he stated that he was “disturbed” by Donald Trump’s suggestion that if a NATO country is attacked, it shouldn’t necessarily expect help from the United States if it hasn’t kept up with its financial obligations.
So Bolton does not have either loyalty or agreement with the Donald Trump camp – so he too should be exiled from the Cabinet.
Defense Secretary
For Defense Secretary, the incoming secretary will shape the fight against the Islamic State while overseeing a military that is struggling to put in place two Obama?era initiatives:integrating women into combat roles and allowing transgender people to serve openly.
Both could be rolled back.
For Defense Secretary, the incoming secretary will shape the fight against the Islamic State while overseeing a military that is struggling to put in place two Obama?era initiatives:integrating women into combat roles and allowing transgender people to serve openly.
Both could be rolled back.
Kelly Ayotte, departing senator from New Hampshire and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, lost her re-election bid precisely because the voters punished her for openly disloyal statements about Trump and because she vocally withdrew her support for him in October 2016.
She would be a terrible choice for the Trump Administration.
Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, is really the only sound, sane and perfect choice for this position in the Trump Cabinet.
He has been steadfast and knowledgeable throughout, since the beginning, of Trump and his vision, and has been exceedingly loyal and both are on the same page vis-a-vis foreign policy, defense and intelligence.
Stephen J. Hadley, National Security Adviser under George W. Bush, went to Yale Law School with Bill and Hillary Clinton, advocates a degree of foreign policy continuity between administrations, and was a centerpiece of foreign and defense policy under the ultra Neo-Conservative George W Bush administration.
One does not need to be a rocket scientist to see how his appointment would be dangerous.
Although to Mr Hadley’s credit, he counseled diplomacy, not war with Iran, thus averting World War 3.
This is a 50/50 choice.
But at least Michael Flynn is 100%.
No opinion or enough data about Jon Kyl, former senator from Arizona, but Jeff Sessions definitely is loyal to Trump, regardless of whether or not a Republican from New York and one from Alabama could possibly agree on anything.
Interior Secretary
Regarding the Interior Secretary position, this manages the nation’s public lands and waters.
The next secretary will decide the fate of Obama?era rules that stop public land development; curb the exploration of oil, coal and gas; and promote wind and solar power on public lands.
Jan Brewer, Former Arizona governor, while she may be very supportive of Trump is also just plain belligerent and could alienate Hispanic Americans with her overtly racist tactics in arresting immigrants in Arizona – in short she would not make Trump look good to 80% of the country, and Trump needs all the help and support of the country constituency as he can possibly get.
Not enough data on either Robert E. Grady (accused neo-con by libertarian statesman Ron Paul) Gryphon Investors partner, Harold G. Hamm Chief Executive of Continental Resources an oil and gas company, Forrest Lucas President of Lucas Oil Products which manufactures automotive lubricants, additives and greases, but maybe that’s a good thing.
Sarah Palin, Former Alaska governor, is both loyal and in full agreement with Donald Trump’s policies, and in any event, she is harmless anyway, as long as she stays the hell away from foreign policy and international cultural issues.
Agricultural Secretary
The Agriculture Secretary oversees America’s farming industry, inspects food quality and provides income?based food assistance.
The department also helps develop international markets for American products, giving the next secretary partial responsibility to carry out Mr. Trump’s positions on trade.
Sam Brownback Kansas governor, has remained steadfastly loyal to Donald Trump throughout his campaign, and will probably go along with Trump’s vision.
So was Chuck Conner Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and Sid Miller (the man who tweeted the “c” word at Hillary Clinton) Texas agricultural commissioner is also satisfactory on these 2 fronts.
Although Sonny Perdue Former Georgia governor seems like a “wild card” from the South, and unpredictable thereon.
Commerce Secretary
The Commerce Secretary has been a perennial target for budget cuts, but the secretary oversees a diverse portfolio, including the Census, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Chris Christie, New Jersey governor, is both loyal and in full agreement with Donald Trump – why he gets little to no respect from Trump is a mystery, although the specter and shadow of the George Washington Bridge scandal may have something to do with it.
Chris Christie New Jersey governor is the obvious choice, but so is Dan DiMicco Former chief executive of Nucor Corporation a steel production company, but Lewis M. Eisenberg Private equity chief for Granite Capital International Group has been negatively commented on where some conservatives were unhappy with him as the party’s national finance chairman, saying things like “I have a big problem with Eisenberg,” said pro?life Texas RNC member Tim Lambert.
“My perception is he is only for Republicans who are left?of?center.”
Labor Secretary
The Labor Secretary enforces rules that protect the nation’s workers, distributes benefits to the unemployed and publishes economic data like the monthly jobs report.
The new secretary will be in charge of keeping Mr. Trump’s promise to dismantle many Obama?era rules covering the vast work force of federal contractors.
Not much is known about Victoria A. Lipnic Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner and work force policy counsel to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Press Secretary
Laura Ingraham would be the best choice for Press secretary. Watch Laura Ingraham, bring the house down at Republican National Convention : Here
Laura Ingraham is an American radio talk show host, best-selling author, and conservative political commentator. Her nationally syndicated talk show, The Laura Ingraham Show, airs throughout the United States on Courtside Entertainment.
Department of Health and Human Services
The Health and Human Services Secretary will help President Trump achieve one of his central campaign promises: to repeal, amend, or replace the Affordable Care Act.
The department approves new drugs, regulates the food supply, operates biomedical research, and runs Medicare and Medicaid, which insure more than 100 million people.
Here Dr. Ben Carson Former neurosurgeon and 2016 presidential candidate is the obvious golden choice.
Mike Huckabee Former Arkansas governor and 2016 presidential candidate just doesn’t make sense for this position, but Bobby Jindal Former Louisiana governor who served as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospital makes a lot of sense as well.
Rick Scott Florida governor and former chief executive of a large hospital chain has openly talked smack about Trump, and that never helps.
Energy Department
Despite its name, the primary purview of the Energy Department is to protect and manage the nation’s arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Legendary Libertarian Statesman Ron Paul has warned Trump about James L. Connaughton Chief executive of Nautilus Data Technologies and former environmental adviser to President George W. Bush as a major neo-conservative/CFR infiltrator, as well as Robert E. Grady Gryphon Investors partner, but has not said the same about Harold G. Hamm Chief executive of Continental Resources, an oil and gas company.
In fact Ron Paul has also declared this about John Bolton, Stephen J. Hadley, Steven Mnuchin, and Lewis M. Eisenberg as well.
Education Secretary
Mr. Trump has said he wants to drastically shrink the Education Department and shift responsibilities for curriculum research, development and education aid to state and local governments.
Both Dr. Ben Carson and Williamson M. Evers, Education expert at the Hoover Institution, a think tank are great choices, although Carson would be better suited for the DHHS as described above.
Secretary for Veterans Affairs
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will face the task of improving the image of a department Mr. Trump has widely criticized.
Mr. Trump repeatedly argued that the Obama administration neglected the country’s veterans, and he said that improving their care was one of his top priorities.
Jeff Miller Retired chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee hounded the agency for failing to enact meaningful changes to cut wait times and fire workers who hid delays, however if selected, he will be the first secretary of veterans affairs who has never served in the military.
Homeland Security Secretary
The Homeland Security Secretary, formed after the attacks of September 11, 2001, has one key role in the Trump administration: guarding the United States’ borders.
If Mr. Trump makes good on his promises of widespread deportations and building walls, this secretary will have to carry them out.
Joe Arpaio departing sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona while entertaining, is too extreme for this sensitive role, David A. Clarke Jr. Milwaukee County Sheriff may not be knowledgeable or experienced enough, Rudolph W. Giuliani Former New York mayor may be the best choice since he helped to found it, Michael McCaul Representative from Texas and Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee could alienate Russia as he has bashed them and accused them of hacking even when Trump said he did not believe him and maybe he is too aggressive for this role, and Jeff Sessions Senator from Alabama who is a prominent immigration opponent may be too culturally insensitive and milquetoastfor the job.
Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, which issues and oversees environmental regulations, is under threat from the president?elect, who has vowed to dismantle the agency “in almost every form.”
To that end if that is his agenda then anyone could theoretically qualify, although Myron Ebell (“climate change skeptic”) may be the best choice, Robert E. Grady Gryphon Investors partner who was involved in drafting the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 was previously negated as a neo-con, and Jeffrey R. Holmstead Lawyer with Bracewell L.L.P. and former deputy E.P.A. administrator in the George W. Bush administration seems to be a decent choice, although he could be a closet neo-con as well.
US Trade Representative
The U.S. Trade Representative will have the odd role of opposing new trade deals, trying to rewrite old ones and bolstering the enforcement of what Mr. Trump sees as unfair trade, especially with China.
Dan DiMicco Former chief executive of Nucor Corporation, a steel production company, and a critic of Chinese trade practices is apparently the only choice for this role.
UN Ambassador
The U.N. Ambassador, second only to the secretary of state, will be the primary face of America to the world, representing the country’s interests at the Security Council on a host of issues, from Middle East peace to nuclear proliferation.
Kelly Ayotte departing senator from New Hampshire and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee is a horrible choice because she already backstabbed and betrayed Donald Trump as was described above.
Openly gay activist Richard Grenell Former spokesman for the United States ambassador to the United Nations during the George W. Bush administration may be the right choice, and Giuliani likes him the best – but this is a close call.
CIA Director/Director of National Intelligence
The C.I.A. Director / Director of National Intelligence will serve when Mr. Trump takes over at a time of diverse and complex threats to American security.
The new C.I.A. director will have to decide whether to undo a C.I.A. “modernization” plan put in place this year by Director John O. Brennan, and how to proceed if the president?elect orders a resumption of harsh interrogation tactics — which critics have described as torture — for terrorism suspects.
The choices that are the best for the reasons described above are Michael T. Flynn Former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Peter Hoekstra Former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee displayed disloyalty when he attacked Trump when he dressed down a biased Hispanic judge who was against him.
Mike Rogers former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee just resigned from selection.
Frances Townsend Former homeland security adviser under George W. Bush signed a letter stating that Trump is “fundamentally dishonest,” in an open letter plus she has been tweeting pictures of her shoes for the past 10 years. She is probably slightly out of touch and in the loop for the current changes and circumstances happening now – so clearly Michael Flynn is the only real true and logical choice here.
National Security Advisor
The National Security Adviser although not a member of the cabinet, is a critical gatekeeper for policy proposals from the State Department, the Pentagon and other agencies, a function that takes on more importance given Mr. Trump’s lack of experience in elective office.
Once again, Michael T. Flynn Former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency is the only logical choice, or someone exactly like him (or selected by him).
Professor and Attorney Rahul Manchanda worked for one of the largest law firms in Manhattan where he focused on asbestos litigation. At the United Nations Commission on International Trade… Read more
See: Eric Trump Reacts to his father’s major Policy Speech
The post The Donald Trump Cabinet: He Is Not A Masochist appeared first on My Catbird Seat.