Government ‘Cuts’….
It is not clear how the effort will be funded or whether its recommendations will be approved, because federal spending is controlled by Congress and the White House. Still, Republicans are poised to control the House, Senate and White House, giving the GOP the opportunity to implement at least some of the commission’s proposals — potentially triggering major repercussions for the U.S. government and millions of federal workers….
(This IS above IS a political midfield that is SURE to fail as local and state politicians come out against employee cuts and funding cuts….This is also a prime place for Democarts to pick up votes in the 2026 Midterms….)
Defense….
President-elect Donald Trump made his most significant Cabinet choice and set up his toughest Senate confirmation battle yet, tapping Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and veteran, to be secretary of defense.
Hegseth, who served in the Army National Guard in Iraq and Afghanistan, touted his military record and best-selling books in pursuing the nomination. His selection was not widely expected before Trump announced it Tuesday evening….
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Secretary of State pick: Marco Rubio
The Republican Florida senator is seen as a foreign policy hawk who is tough on China and Iran. His selection to serve as Trump’s top diplomat completes a drastic turnaround from 2016, when the two were fierce rivals in a GOP presidential primary. Rubio was also in consideration for Trump’s running mate, before he selected Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).
Environmental Protection Agency director pick: Lee Zeldin
Trump’s selection to lead the EPA is Zeldin, a Republican former New York congressman and gubernatorial candidate who was an outspoken defender of the 45th president during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Trump mentioned Zeldin’s legal background, a sign he will likely lean on the EPA to roll back environmental regulations.
United Nations ambassador pick: Elise Stefanik
The House GOP conference chair who just won her fifth term representing an upstate New York district, Stefanik has limited diplomatic experience but has been an outspoken critic of the United Nations and a staunch ally of Israel.
Homeland Security secretary pick: Kristi Noem
Noem, a Republican who has served as South Dakota governor since 2019, is a loyal Trump ally and would help oversee his immigration crackdown in a second term. She was also in consideration for Trump’s running mate before early excerpts of her book revealed she killed her hunting dog 20 years ago.
Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee
Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor from 1996-2007, was selected for a major diplomatic role amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Huckabee has never held a diplomatic post previously but has at times weighed in on the war in Gaza, including when he told NewsNation that he did not see a reason to support an Israel-Hamas cease-fire and that the only way to end the war would be to eradicate the terrorist group.
CIA director pick: John Ratcliffe
Ratcliffe, the former head of intelligence in the last Trump administration, was selected to lead the CIA. He previously served as a congressman from Texas and Trump, in a statement, called him “a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public.” Ratcliff also served as a member of Trump’s impeachment team during the Democrats’ first effort to block the president-elect from office…..
Reality check….
Conservative pundit George Conway downplayed President-elect Trump’s proposed advisory group focused on cutting federal spending and reducing the size of the government Tuesday, calling it “nonexistent.”
When asked by MSNBC’s Alex Wagner about Trump’s announcement of billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy leading the group dubbed the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), Conway said, “It’s just a nonexistent department.”…
More….
Word is the. Bromance between Elon and Trump is already cooling.
Two egotistical assholes trying to hog the same stage won’t last.
Matt Gaetz to be new Attorney General!
A man of “ conservative values”
I actually believe that Trump knows that Matt Gaetz is not actually going to be confirmed as Attorney General. They just want the “fight” publicly and to rail against the “Establishment”. The narrow House majority cannot afford to lose another vote anyway for however long.
The upcoming reality show fight over Gaetz will also provide some cover for the confirmation process of the other controversial picks.
Trump and Gaetz know what they are doing and I do not believe they actually expect Gaetz to become AG.
I agree CG
I’ll have a post tonight on Trump’s ‘fuck you ‘ picks
CAPT CHOAS …..
Lindsay Graham said that Gaetz was a “ smart,clever guy” and his disposition is to support nominees for cabinet positions.
Susan Collin’s says she was “ shocked” by the nomination .
The hearings on Gaetz’ s nomination should be a hoot.
Gatez is the nation’s preeminent expert on “barely legal.”
This is all performance art. He is out there to get rejected. To make it easier for the other nominees and for the next person Trump nominates as AG. Senate Republicans will be told this is their one free “no” to tell their constituents about. Gaetz gets to become a MAGA martyr.
Lisa Murkowski said it’s not a serious nomination.
That Trump …he’s a really fun guy
Weeeeee!
It’s a total Vince McMahon WWE angle. This is what people voted for because eggs cost too much and people are scared they are going to get murdered by a Venezuelan migrant and Democrats were too proud to acknowledge that people were upset and worried about those things.
After the Gaetz show runs its course, he is going to name AG Ken Paxton of Texas and everyone will be like, “phew, at least it’s not Matt Gaetz.”
Susan Collins has gone from “concerned” to “shocked” over Matt Gaetz.
I just think it’s funny. My “shock” is all worn our.