# Trump's Cabinet of Curiosities **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 10, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367 "2016-11-10T16:28:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/121 "2016-11-30T04:22:34Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Well, every cabinet needs a good looking woman to keep the boys chipper … I didn’t see any name of a good looking woman on the list ! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/122 "2016-11-30T05:19:11Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > What’s the historical data? If you look at it don’t find Treasury/Fed/financial regulators etc people frequently come from Goldman Sachs? Remember how they care so much that they gave Hillary a big fat check for a speech? Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. What’s that Trump supporters? It was supposed to be different? ha ha ha ! suckers! ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/123 "2016-11-30T05:22:20Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. > > What’s that Trump supporters? It was supposed to be different? ha ha ha ! suckers! If there’s no difference, why care at all about the election outcome? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/124 "2016-11-30T05:50:51Z")
Stay in your homes. Remain calm. Remember, the number one enemy of progress is questions. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/125 "2016-11-30T08:47:21Z")
[Rachel doesn’t like Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser, KT McFarland](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3nRJg0T5-0), a Hillary Hater and FauxNews whore. From Wikipedia I learn that one of McFarland’s contributions to national security “thought” is the need to concatenate the words “radical Islamic terrorism.” Ms. Maddow’s main complaint about Ms. McFarland seems to be that she has three exaggerations on her resume. I say “seems to be” because my eyes glazed over from all the repetition in the Youtube. ( **I Pit Rachel Maddow**.) I love you, Rachel, and find you informative despite this complaint, but _do you have to repeat everything 17 times?_ I realize you talk fast, so repeating everything 17 times only wastes as much time as if a lesser mortal repeated it ten times. And I realize that repeating something 3 or 4 times has didactic value. _But enough is enough!_ In the same segment, Ms. Maddow informs me that the N.S. Adviser himself, Michael Flynn, called Hillary Clinton a “child rapist.” :eek: Et cetera, et cetera. :mad: I wonder how many intelligent Americans have to cry themselves to sleep every night since the election? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ > [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Yes, [he really is](http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-trump-mnuchin-treasury-20161129-story.html) a piece of human feces. I’m fairly certain this country is going to be raped. Hang on for a real, wild, run… Are you a [latimes.com](http://latimes.com) subscriber, **Little\_Pig**? If not, do you have any special ad-blocking tips? Your link refuses to present unless I disable Ad-Blocker; when I do, the ads are, _by far_, the most intrusive ads I’ve ever seen on the Internet — the page is unreadable. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/126 "2016-11-30T10:04:47Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m impressed with the cabinet choices so far. CNN points out 3 women of color have already been selected. > [http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/29/politics/trump-cabinet-women/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/29/politics/trump-cabinet-women/index.html) > > Sounds like a very inclusive group to me. Trump said he’d pick the most highly qualified people and he’s doing that. Just a nitpick on facts here: one of those nominees listed listed is not a cabinet pick, and the nominee for UN Ambassador has no foreign policy experience - not sure how she gets to be considered “highly qualified.” ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/127 "2016-11-30T11:59:43Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > If there’s no difference, why care at all about the election outcome? Oh, there’s plenty of differences. Just not the ones they wanted. Unless they’re racist, homophobic bigots. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/128 "2016-11-30T12:30:12Z")
> [@BorgHunter](#): > > Is Elaine Chao a bad pick? A quick Google shows nothing immediately objectionable, and I don’t remember her making headlines during the second Bush administration, even though she was Secretary of Labor for eight years. She certainly has the experience, not just in the Cabinet, but also a couple years as Deputy Secretary of Transportation during the first Bush administration. Actually, her resume is probably the best of the appointees so far. I just can’t wrap my head around anyone willingly having sex with Mitch McConnell, so I figure there must be some crossed wires in her brain somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/129 "2016-11-30T14:11:28Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/130 "2016-11-30T15:02:22Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > And [now he’s selected](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/us/politics/steven-terner-mnuchin-trump-treasury-secretary.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=a-lede-package-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news) a hedge fund operator and former Goldman Sachs partner to run the Treasury. God help us all. Relax. I am sure we can count on that guy to drill down into the mnutiae of the problems of the poor and working poor. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/131 "2016-11-30T17:39:29Z")
[Todd Ricketts for deputy Commerce Secretary](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-todd-ricketts-trump-deputy-commerce-secretary-20161130-story.html). Another investment banker. Are we beginning to see a trend yet? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/132 "2016-11-30T20:21:19Z")
Sarah Palin is being considered to head the Veterans Affairs. > **[Trump considering Palin to lead Veterans Affairs](https://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2016/11/trump-palin-veterans-affairs-232014)** > > Palin campaigned for Trump through the campaign’s final days, including in Michigan. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/133 "2016-11-30T22:25:20Z")
Well, at least there is some measure of consistency in the selections. Trump is picking either the absolutely least qualified or the most conflicted people possible. This isn’t just a parade of influence and incompetence; it is the Ringling Brothers Circus of Corruption and Collusion, “The Greatest Scam on Earth!” Somewhere, a remnant of the consciousness of George Carlin is laughing this all up and preparing to come back so he can stage a new HBO special on the inestimable gullibility of Americans. It’s not true, but the thought of it is the only thing that has made me smile in weeks. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/134 "2016-11-30T22:33:25Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Sarah Palin is being considered to head the Veterans Affairs. > [http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2016/11/trump-palin-veterans-affairs-232014](http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2016/11/trump-palin-veterans-affairs-232014) More proof he hates the military. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/135 "2016-11-30T22:50:32Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Sarah Palin is being considered to head the Veterans Affairs. > [http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2016/11/trump-palin-veterans-affairs-232014](http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2016/11/trump-palin-veterans-affairs-232014) I find it very hard to believe that Palin wants to actually work for a living. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/136 "2016-11-30T22:53:54Z")
RCP has [this handy page](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/trump_cabinet/index.html) to track the nominations ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/137 "2016-11-30T23:00:43Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I find it very hard to believe that Palin wants to actually work for a living. She wouldn’t have to work. She can just emulate her boss, and go around being adulated by the same ignorant rubes that wanted her to be prez – i.e.- basically what she’s been doing for years. As a bonus, if she deigns to speak, we’ll get samples of surreal pseudo-English again. As for work, actual work is what humble civil servants are for. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/138 "2016-11-30T23:08:20Z")
So the list is up to: a sitting Senator (Sessions) a multi-millionaire businessman (Mnuchin) a former Cabinet member (Chao) a six-term Congressman (Price) two billionaires (DeVos and Ross) It’s not exactly what I had in mind when I heard “drain the swamp”, but they’re also a long ways from what I’d consider objectively unqualified. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/139 "2016-11-30T23:10:02Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Well, at least there is some measure of consistency in the selections. Trump is picking either the absolutely least qualified or the most conflicted people possible. This isn’t just a parade of influence and incompetence; it is the Ringling Brothers Circus of Corruption and Collusion, “The Greatest Scam on Earth!” This is quite literally true. Every time a new one is announced, I have a hard time believing it’s not some piece of satire that accidentally slipped through into an actual news story. If he appoints a new NASA administrator, it’ll probably be someone whose total understanding of rocket technology comes from Wile E. Coyote cartoons. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/140 "2016-11-30T23:22:53Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > So the list is up to: > > a sitting Senator (Sessions) > a multi-millionaire businessman (Mnuchin) > a former Cabinet member (Chao) > a six-term Congressman (Price) > two billionaires (DeVos and Ross) > > It’s not exactly what I had in mind when I heard “drain the swamp”, but they’re also a long ways from what I’d consider objectively unqualified. DeVos, and that clown who’s running the EPA transition, are not unqualified – they’re anti-qualified. They’re Bizarro-World Qualified. They’re qualified to do just the opposite of the mission of the agency they’re supposed to run. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=8)