# Trump's new cabinet **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 6, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799 "2024-11-06T16:52:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/521 "2024-12-01T16:16:47Z")
How much control does an FBI director have over ongoing operations? Would Patel coming in upend or cancel countless ongoing investigations as he kicks out agents or redirects resources? ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/522 "2024-12-01T16:25:36Z")
Basically, yeah. Personnel may have civil service protections against being fired but they can be reassigned at the Director’s discretion. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/523 "2024-12-01T17:30:58Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > Apologies…I did not mean to offend anyone. Its just that I have strong views on child sex crimes I don’t think anything you said was _too_ out of bounds. Anyone who has been preyed upon deserves justice. The only concern I would have is anyone falsely accused of any wrongdoing would suffer the [“Fatty Arbuckle treatment,”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roscoe_Arbuckle?wprov=sfti1) where it would be deleterious to an innocent person’s life and career. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/524 "2024-12-01T17:42:10Z")
Charles Kushner, called by no one “Big Kush” and by some Prisoner 876155, has of course been made Ambassador to France. I wonder why him? Trying to entice Jared back? > **[Trump selects Jared Kushner’s father, Charles Kushner, for ambassador to...](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/30/politics/charles-kushner-france-ambassador-trump/index.html)** > > Donald Trump has selected his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s father, Charles Kushner, to serve as the next US ambassador to France, the president-elect announced Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/525 "2024-12-02T00:44:47Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I don’t think anything you said was _too_ out of bounds. Anyone who has been preyed upon deserves justice. Thank you Superdude ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/526 "2024-12-02T19:59:02Z")
I should be surprised that Trump is making an actual felon (who set up his brother-in-law with a prostitute so he could have the encounter filmed and given to his sister) an ambassador, but since he’s a convicted felon himself, I guess it all goes together. Kakistocracy, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/527 "2024-12-02T20:04:51Z")
I was going to ask if this appointment isn’t also something of an insult to France, but I doubt Trump cares. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/528 "2024-12-02T20:06:55Z")
Just remember they refuse to extradite Roman Polanski so doubt this would offend the French. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/529 "2024-12-02T20:10:07Z")
""A different former employee described Hegseth being at a bar in the early-morning hours of May 29, 2015, while on an official tour through Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, drunkenly chanting “Kill All Muslims! Kill All Muslims!” > **[Pete Hegseth’s Secret History](https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/pete-hegseths-secret-history)** > > A whistle-blower report and other documents suggest that Trump’s nominee to run the Pentagon was forced out of previous leadership positions for financial mismanagement, sexist behavior, and being repeatedly intoxicated on the job. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/530 "2024-12-02T20:19:37Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > > financial mismanagement, sexist behavior, and being repeatedly intoxicated on the job. Damn, sounds like he’s over-qualified! ETA: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Fx446n4WF5c/hqdefault.jpg "Blackadder - Sensible policies for a happier Britain") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx446n4WF5c&t=92) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/531 "2024-12-02T20:22:21Z")
From the article: > In response to questions from this magazine, Tim Parlatore, a lawyer for Hegseth, replied with the following statement, which he said came from “an advisor” to Hegseth: “We’re not going to comment on outlandish claims laundered through The New Yorker by a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate of Mr. Hegseth’s. Get back to us when you try your first attempt at actual journalism.” In Trumpville, that’s about as close to an outright confession as it gets. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/532 "2024-12-02T22:36:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > "A different former employee described Hegseth being at a bar in the early-morning hours of May 29, 2015, while on an official tour through Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, drunkenly chanting “Kill All Muslims! Kill All Muslims!” This would (or will) make him a hero in the eyes of Magats. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/533 "2024-12-03T00:25:25Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > ""A different former employee described Hegseth being at a bar in the early-morning hours of May 29, 2015, while on an official tour through Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, drunkenly chanting “Kill All Muslims! Kill All Muslims! Brave, seeing as how there weren’t any Muslims in the bar ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/534 "2024-12-03T01:22:27Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > ""A different former employee described Hegseth being at a bar in the early-morning hours of May 29, 2015, while on an official tour through Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, drunkenly chanting “Kill All Muslims! Kill All Muslims!” Remember the days when John Tower did not get confirmed because he was considered a womanizer for taking dates out for drinks while he was single? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/535 "2024-12-03T05:35:22Z")
> **[Domestic Enemy Hat (@kenwhite.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social/post/3lcesqnsq722d)** > > What with Trump being a non-drinker I think that Pete Hegseth adds a refreshing Everyman element to the administration by being a loutish drunk who is prone to abusing women and yelling about killing Muslims when in his cups. It shows the... > **[Domestic Enemy Hat (@kenwhite.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social/post/3lcesxkniw22d)** > > /2 Plus Hegseth is a blast to the past. He’s reminiscent of John Tower in ‘89. Children — eh, not children, 40-year-olds — John Tower was a drunk with women issues who was nominated by Bush I for SecDef. It didn’t work out. Robin Williams had a... ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/536 "2024-12-03T16:51:55Z")
Trump’s transition team is no doubt taking notes on the situation in South Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/537 "2024-12-03T21:17:22Z")
Lady G is waffling on Hegseth. > **[Lindsey Graham: 'Very disturbing' reports on Pete Hegseth make confirmation...](https://www.rawstory.com/lindsey-graham-pete-hegseth/)** > > Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) warned that it would be "difficult" to confirm former Fox News weekend co-host Pete Hegseth as President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary.Graham told CBS News correspondent Scott MacFarlane that recent allegations... ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/538 "2024-12-03T21:31:23Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Lady G is waffling on Hegseth. Yeah, I’m sure he and Susie C will be a strong bulwark protecting America against Trump’s excesses! 😃 Man, it sure seems quaint - and hard to believe - that he was on TDS however many years back, proclaiming Trump to be essentially the antichrist… ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/539 "2024-12-03T22:46:35Z")
IIRC Cruz, Rubio and Vance followed similar hate-then-love trajectories. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/540 "2024-12-04T02:45:46Z")
Mitch McConnell is quiet on almost all the Trump nominees. That is a bad sign for Trump. It looks to me that Trump is going to have to withdraw an unprecedented number of nominees, or, less likely, have them voted down. What does he do then? Can he find some GS-15 who contributed to his campaign and elevate them to acting Secretary? Whatever happens will be weird. Pam Bondi will be a big test. If she cannot make it, Trump’s enemies project is in jeopardy. I think she will be confirmed, but she likely will be damaged by Democratic senatorial questioning. She said to lock up Hillary. And that’s the reasonable one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799.md?page=28)