# 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:** 34
**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 16, 2024, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/661 "2024-12-16T01:17:26Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > He realizes he would likely be next if he upset The Don. “Next” for what? He’s not up for reelection until 2028 and he’s already indicated he may not seek reelection anyway. > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Now we see all the opposition to Hegseth evaporating into thin air much like the supposed spines these folks were showing just last week. Then why is Tillis telling third-party agitators to stop trying to pressure the Senate? > **['A lot of risks': GOP Senator puts Trump on notice that nomination strategy...](https://www.rawstory.com/trump-tillis-risks-nomination-backfire/)** > > Donald Trump on Sunday was warned by a Republican Senator that the President-elect's current strategy for pushing his Cabinet nominations could backfire.Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) gave an interview with Fox News over the weekend, during which he spoke... ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/662 "2024-12-16T01:19:33Z")
Booted as Majority Leader. And don’t assume he will retire in 2026. That would require facts not in evidence. ---
**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 16, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/663 "2024-12-16T01:21:59Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Booted as Majority Leader. Which would have to happen in a secret ballot, and which he would have to be the one to call for, because that’s how Senate Republicans conduct leadership elections. > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > And don’t assume he will retire in 2026. I never said he’d be retiring in 2026. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/664 "2024-12-16T01:27:20Z")
So what if it’s a secret ballot? If he pisses off Trump enough then the Administration could easily campaign and threaten members of the GOP caucus enough so they vote him out. Unlikely? Yes, but far, far from impossible these days. And yes, I should have said 2028 rather than '26. But I think you knew what I meant. ---
**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 16, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/665 "2024-12-16T01:28:25Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > So what if it’s a secret ballot? If he pisses off Trump enough then the Administration could easily campaign and threaten members of the GOP caucus enough so they vote him out. Just like they did to Mitch McConnell in 2017 when he pissed off Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/666 "2024-12-16T01:29:41Z")
McConnell had 17 years of entrenched power. On Inauguration Day Thune will be well short of that. ---
**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 16, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/667 "2024-12-16T01:31:09Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > McConnell had 17 years of entrenched power. And he used it to get Thune elected, and he isn’t leaving the Senate until his term is up. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/668 "2024-12-16T01:33:51Z")
Again, so what? The power is now in Trump’s hands. Until the GOP members of the Senate defy the incoming President in a major way there is nothing to support the idea there will be enough of them willing to stand up and stop what DJT wants. ---
**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 16, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/669 "2024-12-16T01:37:17Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Until the GOP members of the Senate defy the incoming President in a major way Such as, say, snubbing the candidate for Majority Leader that he told them to vote for and instead electing one supported by a guy he hates? > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > The power is now in Trump’s hands. Of course it is. Just ask Attorney General Matt Gaetz. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/670 "2024-12-16T01:42:56Z")
And Thune has been falling over backwards to suck up to Trump since he got the job. Look, I know you think you can predict the future better than the rest of us who are concerned about what Trump may be able to get away with but I don’t see any reason to buy into the way you have been dismissing people’s concerns. Feel free to keep playing that game but I’m done engaging with you on it. ---
**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 16, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/671 "2024-12-16T01:53:37Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Look, I know you think you can predict the future better than the rest of us who are concerned about what Trump may be able to get away with but I don’t see any reason to buy into the way you have been dismissing people’s concerns. Do you think I’m not concerned about what Trump may be able to get away with? I am. Being concerned isn’t the same thing as fearmongering about him doing things that are not practically, constitutionally, or physically possible. The greatest dangers aren’t things he can do unilaterally - they’re things that he’ll need the help of Democrats to achieve, and that’s where our energies need to be directed. ---
**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 17, 2024, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/672 "2024-12-17T00:20:00Z")
I’m more concerned some prominent democrat lawmakers seem willing to work with DOGE…Ro Khanna, Jared Moskowitz and even Bernie Sanders seem to be willing to work with Musk/Vivek. Where will this newfound bonhomie/cooperation lead to ? And cnn now reports that Hegseth and Kash Patel may well be on the path to being confirmed by the senate after Musk open threat of funding primary challengers to any gop lawmaker who opposes. Republicans are quite optimistic about RFK Jr and Tulsi Gabbard too. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/673 "2024-12-17T02:34:03Z")
[Hegseth’s Guard Left the Army After the Beating of a Civilian During Training](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/us/politics/hegseth-bodyguard-army.html?unlocked_article_code=1.iE4.nQ3_.QtFyAseQSXWu&smid=url-share) > [@](#): > > The guard, a former Army Special Forces master sergeant named John Jacob Hasenbein, left the military after a 2019 training event in which witnesses said he beat a civilian role player — kicking him, punching him and leaving him hogtied in a pool of his own blood. I had to check Wikipedia to see what [hogtied](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogtie#Human_uses) really is. I hope the Times article is fully accurate, as if there is any exaggeration, in our new world, they may be out $15 million plus attorneys fees. ---
**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 17, 2024, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/674 "2024-12-17T06:24:00Z")
RFK Jr says he no longer wants to cripple tens of thousands of children every year. > **[RFK reverses course on polio vaccine amid pressure from GOP](https://www.rawstory.com/rfk-jr-vaccines/)** > > Robert F. Kennedy Jr. backed off on his long-spoken desire to revoke approval for the polio vaccine – a hint that he is attempting to calm concerns about his controversial vaccine positions after President-elect Donald Trump chose him to become the... ---
**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 17, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/675 "2024-12-17T15:39:00Z")
Well, that’s good of him. Of course, he could just by lying to get approval from the GOP. This whole thing is just so batshit. ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/676 "2024-12-17T15:42:53Z")
That would be my bet. ---
**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 17, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/677 "2024-12-17T15:45:03Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Of course, he could just by lying to get approval from the GOP. Anyone who doesn’t think he’s lying here is either an idiot, or a Senator looking for an excuse to confirm him. He’s been very consistent in his hatred of vaccines for years now, and you don’t just turn 180 degrees on something like that in a matter of days. I mean, what has anyone said in the last week or so, that he wouldn’t have already heard, and dismissed, years ago? Well, “Back off on polio or we won’t confirm you” fits that bill. I don’t think anything else I’ve seen this week fits. This “reversal” is entirely strategic. ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/678 "2024-12-17T18:15:14Z")
So…are ANY of Trump’s picks remotely competent? I mean, I’m sure they were all chosen because they are corrupt amoral toadies, but do any of them have any actual qualifications to run the departments they were chosen for? I don’t mean a passing familiarity with what the department does. I mean real qualifications, like expertise in the field, administrative credentials, relevant degrees or ranks…any of them??? ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/679 "2024-12-17T20:12:37Z")
Rubio is pretty much the only one who is reasonable. A disaster of course, but as the saying goes, a disaster within normal parameters. The rest are clowns. ---
**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 17, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799/680 "2024-12-17T20:17:49Z")
But, he doesn’t have any relevant experience or background, right? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-new-cabinet/1009799.md?page=35)