Trump’s cabinet picks dissected
January 11, 2017
President-elect Donald J. Trump has named his cabinet members to guide him through his presidency. Below is a little bit of information about each member. All these members except Michael Flynn need approval from the Senate.
Attorney General: Sen. Jefferson Sessions (R-AL)
About Sessions: Junior United States Senator from Alabama. His legal experience was being the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama and Attorney General of Alabama. After his legal experience, he became started his tenure in the Senate.
My opinion: Sen. Jefferson Sessions is a phenomenal choice for attorney general. His relentless behavior explains it all. He was nominated by President Reagan to be a federal district judge and many Democrats began a vicious campaign against his nomination. As a result, the Judiciary Committee voted his nomination down. Yet, that was not his demise. He returned to Alabama and won the election for his state’s Attorney General. Later, he ran for a Senator position and won. This is what America needs. Someone who keeps fighting and will never back down.
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency: Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS)
About Pompeo: He finished first in his class at the United States Military Academy at West Point. After leaving active duty patrolling the Iron Curtain, he graduated from Harvard Law School. In the House, he serves on two committees: Energy and Commerce and the House Intelligence Committee.
My opinion: Rep. Pompeo is a good choice. His military experience is a great prerequisite of this job. My concern is his strong party ties. Pompeo was a strong criticizer of Hillary Clinton and denounced Obama’s decisions regarding the C.I.A. While Pompeo could certainly bring good change to the organization, hopefully his party lines do not get in the way of his work.
Deputy national security adviser: K.T. McFarland
About McFarland: She was a former Fox News analyst and served as an official in the Reagan administration.
My opinion: Receiving praise from both political parties, McFarland is the one for the job. She is an intelligent woman who will fit the job well. Also serving Ronald Reagan, she has a brilliant mind for foreign policy.
Secretary of Defense: Gen. James Mattis
About Mattis: Known for his service during the Iraq War and 44 years of service in the Marine Corps, retired Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis is praised for his use of military tactics. He once said, “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.”
My opinion: Without a doubt he is my favorite pick for the Trump administration. His willingness to never back down is my favorite quality of his. He is an extremely thoughtful man who is favored by both Democrats and Republicans. His leadership of the U.S. Central Command foreshadows his success to manage political alliances and military command at the same time. Between his intelligence and likely to have the courage to stand up to Trump, Mattis is the man for the job.
Secretary of Commerce: Wilbur Ross
About Ross: He was a vocal Trump supporter throughout the election season and for a living, he revives dying companies in different industries such as steel and coal.
My opinion: He should benefit those in the Rust Belt which is everything Trump is looking for. If he can help industry in our country, then he is the man for the job. Especially because Trump won the election because of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, this was a good pick to reward his voters.
Secretary of Education: Betsy DeVos
About DeVos: She is a school-choice advocate and was on former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s board of the Foundation for Excellence in Education.
My opinion: Another cabinet pick that I am fond of. DeVos is the champion for pro-choice schooling for student her whole life. Her relentless attitude to get challenge the status-quo and stand up for what she believes in will make her the perfect woman for the job. The only thing to watch out for is her ties to school standards, Common Core. While she claims she is not a supporter of them, she has been cozy with certain groups known for supporting Common Core. Overall, if she continues her enthusiasm for school-choice and improving the education for impoverished students, our country’s children will only get smarter.
Secretary of Labor: Andrew Puzder
About Puzder: Is the CEO of CKE Restaurants and a major critic of the $15 minimum wage and the Affordable Care Act.
My opinion: This is one pick for the Trump cabinet that leaves me concerned. As a fast food CEO, he is not going to raise the federal minimum wage, currently at $7.25, which is already so low. Further, he does not believe in paid-sick leave because it can hurt the business. Any cabinet member should care about the lives of the American people more than their business. This pick should have a close eye on him because if he does not stand up for the American people, President Trump will need to say his famous words, “you’re fired.”
Secretary of the Treasury: Steven Mnuchin
About Mnuchin: CEO of Dune Capital Management and joined the Trump campaign as finance chairman in May.
My opinion: Mnuchin has been described as an incredibly smart man by his former coworkers. A former Goldman Sachs banker could be a good fit for the job if he rises to the challenge. The only caveat is that he has never been the head of a large organization. If he manages to be an effective leader while also bringing his finance knowledge to the table, this pick could pay off.
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Tom Price (R-GA)
About Price: Member of the House of Representatives and wants to dismantle Obamacare. Proposed Empowering Patients First Act of 2015 with repeals Obamacare with his own plan.
My opinion: Dr. Price is a great person to fill this position. Working in the medical field for years and even teaching residents while in Congress, he knows what’s best for his patients. He vows to dismantle the failing program Obamacare and should institute a better program to yield a better lifestyle for Americans nationwide. Representative Price is an experienced man who is going to make sure our citizens will receive the best care possible.
Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson
About Tillerson: Exxon CEO and has made deals with Russia. Putin awarded him the country’s Order of Friendship.
My opinion: Tillerson is a man who can make a deal. He is a successful businessman with a great track record. However, I am unsure that this is the job for him. His ties with Russia seem to be too cozy. Secretary of State is arguably the most important cabinet position to be filled and will advise President Trump on many things. Hopefully he will advise Trump to take an assertive stance when dealing with Putin.
Secretary of Homeland Security: Gen. John Kelly
About Kelly: Former Marine general with over 40 years of experience in the Marine Corps. Made commander of U.S. Southern Command in 2012.
My opinion: General Kelly could fill this position well. There have been many generals tapped for positions but all their resumes are outstanding so it should not be an issue. Working in the U.S. Southern Command, Kelly will know how to handle Trump’s immigration platform. Further, his experience in the military prepares him well on making sure the president is safe along with managing our anti-terror networks.
Secretary of Energy: former Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)
About Perry: In 2012 when he ran for president, the energy department is one that he wanted to eliminate.
My opinion: In the 2012 presidential debate, Gov. Perry promised to eliminate the department, but couldn’t remember its name. This was a disaster then and shows how there are potential issues with his nomination. We need the Department of Energy to promote clean and efficient use. In fairness to Gov. Perry, he could prove all the doubters wrong and cause the energy department to flourish as it did when he was the governor of Texas.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Ben Carson
About Carson: Retired brain surgeon with no experience in the field.
My opinion: This is not a good pick as Mr. Carson has no experience in the field. We should give him a chance but this cabinet post is incredibly important and we should have someone who knows what they’re doing.
Secretary of Transportation: Elaine Chao
About Chao: Former Labor Secretary under the Bush administration. Her husband is Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader.
My opinion: Chao has an impressive resume in politics. She is married to the Senate majority leader and served under President Bush’s cabinet. She was the first woman of Asian descent to be chosen for a cabinet position. I think she will rise to the challenge and promote President Trump’s pro-infrastructure agenda.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: Scott Pruitt
About Pruitt: He is a skeptic of climate change and has sued the EPA over its regulations.
My opinion: Pruitt has fought the agency he is tapped to lead. It seems weird that he is chosen for this position considering he hates the EPA so much. It is unlikely that he will protect the environment very much, if at all, which is a dangerous move for our country.
US Ambassador to the UN: Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC)
About Haley: She is the first woman governor in South Carolina, yet she has no foreign policy experience.
My opinion: Haley is the future of the conservative party and I think this is a fantastic appointment and will give her the needed foreign policy experience to advance her career further.
Administrator of Small Business Association: Linda McMahon
About McMahon: Former CEO of the WWE. The WWE’s span grew tremendously under her reign.
My opinion: McMahon supports lower corporate tax rates and a reduction in regulations. Her ideology matches President Trump’s and she should defend small businesses well.