President Donald Trump is stuck with an embarrassing cast of Cabinet members because he’s too stubborn to admit he’s made a mistake, an analysis from the Washington Post claimed Monday.
The newspaper argued that Trump’s second administration was significantly different from his first in one major way — massive and rapid turnover of his aides the first time round hasn’t happened again.
That’s despite embarrassing controversies involving his second-term Cabinet members.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been subject to speculation about her possible removal, linking her to a romantic affair with a co-worker. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced persistent questions about his performance, particularly regarding missile strikes on vessels allegedly carrying narcotics in the Caribbean. FBI Director Kash Patel has “drawn bipartisan scorn for his handling of key investigations.” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was criticized for a video where she suggested the world is “on the brink of nuclear annihilation.”
But Trump, a businessman-turned-politician who made his name in America by saying “You’re fired” each week on national television, has left them all by his side.
And the Washington Post saw three reasons for that.
- Loyalists Over Newcomers
Trump surrounded himself with people he knows well. Unlike his first defense secretary James Mattis, whom he met shortly before appointing him, Pete Hegseth is someone the president has known for approximately a decade. Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer explained: “Part of it is there was actually a playbook this time. And there’s less infighting. Everyone knows their role. Last time, some of those people weren’t committed to his agenda. And in some cases were adamantly opposed to it. That’s not the case this time.”
- Avoiding Admissions of Error
John Bolton, Trump’s third national security adviser during his first term, suggested that Trump “doesn’t want the second term defined” by the personnel chaos of his first administration. Bolton noted sarcastically: “If you’ve hired a bunch of people and then you have to fire them, it admits you made a mistake. And as we all know, Donald Trump doesn’t make mistakes.”
- Senate Confirmation Challenges
Several current appointees were narrowly confirmed. Hegseth was confirmed by one vote, Gabbard and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by two votes, and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought by three votes. Securing approval for replacement nominees could prove more difficult now.
Despite these explanations, Trump did come close to firing a Cabinet official. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz was replaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio after “a series of missteps.” But rather than being removed from Trump’s circle entirely, Waltz was instead nominated to become Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations.
The contrast with Trump’s first term is stark. After firing FBI Director James Comey, Trump mocked him as “the worst leader, by far, in the history of the FBI” and said he did “a great service to the people in firing him.” Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was left on a rainy tarmac after his dismissal. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reportedly learned of his firing while in the bathroom, with Trump subsequently calling him “dumb as a rock.” Trump called then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions “weak,” “ineffective,” and “disgraceful” before Sessions resigned in 2018 at Trump’s request.
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