The Second Trump Presidency Superthread

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

This will be a catch-all place to talk about the transition, inauguration, Cabinet picks, etc as we go into the second Trump presidency. 

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump ‘s impending return to the White House means he’ll want to stand up an entirely new administration from the one that served under President Joe Biden. His team is also pledging that the second won’t look much like the first one Trump established after his 2016 victory. 

The president-elect now has a 75-day transition period to build out his team before Inauguration Day arrives on Jan. 20. One top item on the to-do list: filling around 4,000 government positions with political appointees, people who are specifically tapped for their jobs by Trump’s team.

That includes everyone from the secretary of state and other heads of Cabinet departments to those selected to serve part time on boards and commissions. Around 1,200 of those presidential appointments require Senate confirmation, which should be easier with the Senate now shifting to Republican control.

 

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[MsKreed 1,570]

 

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NATO

Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister and now NATO secretary general, shared his own reaction to Trump's return to power via social media, describing how he had "congratulated" him and looked forward to working with him again, while insisting that Trump's leadership would once more be "key to keeping our Alliance strong."

Rutte earned a reputation as a useful interlocutor during summits and meetings between NATO leaders and Trump between 2017 and 2020. He was able to convince Trump of the need to maintain America's role in the alliance while at the same time communicating Trump's demands diplomatically but effectively to some of his fellow European leaders.

Here's the rest of NPR's fairly comprehensive outline of reactions from leaders around the globe: 

What’s the world saying about Trump’s win? Here are the leaders who’ve commented 

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

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President-elect Donald Trump has named his first appointee for his upcoming term: campaign manager Susie Wiles will serve as Trump’s White House Chief of Staff.

Wiles will be the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff.

 

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[Twin Tiers Living 489]

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What To Know About Trump's US Government Reformation Plan

CNN — President-elect Donald Trump has promised to completely remake the US government and wield new power as president. The ambitious promises, if enacted, would transform society. Some of his most-repeated promises on the campaign trail include:

• Mass deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants
• Closing the southern border and ending birthright citizenship
• Unprecedented tariffs on foreign goods from all countries, but especially China
• Expansive tax cuts to benefit corporations, tipped workers, seniors on Social Security, property owners in the Northeast and many others
• Trillions in cuts in government spending with help from Elon Musk
• Reforming the country’s health and food systems with help from vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• Reversing regulations aimed at addressing climate change
• Building a new missile defense shield with help from former NFL player Herschel Walker

And so much more

Now Americans will find out what was hyperbole and what was real – what is achievable and what he will be able to push through by himself, with help from Congress and without interference by the courts.

 

 

Read the rest here.

[Chris 3,211]

Here's how I'm approaching things: There's a chance some good things can come out of the next four years. And the more I listen to RFK Jr., the more he makes sense on some matters. This one for example:

Also, I read this:

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Joel Salatin, the self-described “Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer” has received an appointment by congressman Thomas Massie from Kentucky to be an “Advisor to the Secretary” to the USDA, a key influence inside the agency.

“I’ve been contacted by the Trump transition team to hold some sort of position within the USDA and have accepted one of the six “Advisor to the Secretary” spots,” declared Salatin on his website.

Salatin has never been shy about his criticism of the government — specifically the USDA. He has long held strong views in allowing American citizens more control over their food and their land. Their farm, Polyface Farms, spearhead these efforts.

 

Source

This could be revolutionary. 

 

[Adam 527]

10 hours ago, Chris said:

Here's how I'm approaching things: There's a chance some good things can come out of the next four years. And the more I listen to RFK Jr., the more he makes sense on some matters. This one for example:

Also, I read this:

Source

This could be revolutionary. 

 

given the fact that the American food system is pathetic compard ot European counterparts, its likely a great thing, so long as Congress doesnt get paid enough to interfere

 

[MsKreed 1,570]

8 hours ago, Adam said:

given the fact that the American food system is pathetic compard ot European counterparts, its likely a great thing, so long as Congress doesnt get paid enough to interfere

So much crap has become normalized in the US over the past 4-5 decades.

Not only is it extremely difficult to find food with less additives.....when people have to make an effort to avoid the crap they're often ridiculed as "health fanatics". LOL.....and maybe even diagnosed with an eating disorder (orthorexia). 

 

Not only are we consuming a lot of food additives/chemicals banned in other developed nations....we also have Rx drugs that other countries have determined aren't safe.

But here in the US we can use a self-service app to essentially prescribe pharmaceuticals to ourselves.  Let's not pretend we're protecting patients by requiring prescription to "ensure that these drugs are only administered under supervision by a doctor".

Between food production and pharmaceuticals, it's almost like billion dollar companies are getting a pass from safety and regulatory agencies that hire/promote (and are overseen by) some of the same experts who used to the very companies getting rich off products with questionable health effects.

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

President-elect Trump has named the following to positions in his new administration:

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NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says that Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, will serve as “border czar” in his incoming administration.

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NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Rep. Elise Stefanik to serve as his ambassador to the United Nations, picking a loyal ally with little foreign policy experience to represent the U.S. at the international organization.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is naming longtime adviser Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner, to be the deputy chief of policy in his new administration.

Vice President-elect JD Vance posted a message of congratulations on Monday to Miller on X and said, “This is another fantastic pick by the president.” The announcement was first reported by CNN.

 

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[Twin Tiers Living 489]

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NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Monday named former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency as he continues to build out his future administration with loyal supporters. 

Trump, in a statement, said Zeldin, who mounted a failed bid for governor of New York in 2022, would “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.”

 

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[Chris 3,211]

Isn't it a little early in the appointment process for "f--k it, they'll do"?

[MsKreed 1,570]

Yeah....but a lot of the lower grade cabinet appointments seem to have that "f--k it, they'll do" vibe....

Ben Carson as HUD secretary comes to mind. But it isn’t just Trump’s weird choices.  Pete Buttigieg didn’t have much qualification for Transportation Sec.

And I feel like someone (Obama?) had a Treasury Secretary who'd been audited and was like $40k short paying his own taxes (because he’d filed himself using Turbo Tax and misunderstood what self-employed 1099 meant)?

[Beekeeper 50]

Don't most of these appointees need to be confirmed by the House or Senate?  So even though Trump wants these people and has all these ideas, he still needs to cooperate with others to get things done.  It will be interesting to see if he can do that this time.  I am not holding my breath that anything will really get done.

[MsKreed 1,570]

Yes, the Senate confirms cabinet and court appointments. And since his party has the Senate majority, his nominees will probably get the votes. 

 

But he'll need to cooperate, compromise and prove his "art of the deal" is more than just hot air to get legislation passed by both houses with very close 'balance'. 

 

[tpaine 7]

13 hours ago, Chris said:

Isn't it a little early in the appointment process for "f--k it, they'll do"?

you have better ideas ?

[Chris 3,211]

2 hours ago, tpaine said:

you have better ideas ?

Do I have better ideas? No, like many others I knew he'd pick those who continued to remain loyal to him. And I suppose he could do worse than Marco Rubio for Secretary of State. I just don't understand what qualifications someone like Elise Stefanik has to be Ambassador to the UN.

[MsKreed 1,570]

22 minutes ago, Chris said:

I just don't understand what qualifications someone like Elise Stefanik has to be Ambassador to the UN.

I have to agree.  

Her biggest qualification seems to be that she is a strong supporter of Israel. 

In the 21st century political alignment seems to be the main qualification....but in the past, we used to have UN ambassadors with extensive foreign affairs experience (HW Bush under Nixon and Madeline Albright under Clinton). 

 

[Ann 439]

I thought I heard somewhere he was going to pick from Washington outsiders.  I’m sure there are many qualified, high level business people or other prominent, successful individuals who would do well in positions not involving foreign policy or defense.

[Chris 3,211]

National Security Advisor - Mike Waltz

Head of Homeland Security - South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem

Marco Rubio is expected to be selected as Secretary of State

[Andy 105]

46 minutes ago, Chris said:

Head of Homeland Security - South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem

Funny, just talked about her in one of my classes yesterday, when COVID had a massive outbreak spanning multiple states under her watch. Also remembered her name for being a puppy and goat killer. Fantastic choice of character

Edited November 12 by Andy

[MsKreed 1,570]

1 hour ago, Andy said:

Also remembered her name for being a puppy and goat killer. Fantastic choice of character

That's my objection to her for any job. Wasn't like she even tried to frame it as some difficult "Old Yeller" decision. 😢

 

Considering SD's economic growth has consistently led the nation over the past decade or so.....I'd have thought she'd be more suited for a position that would put that strength into action. (if the puppycide didn't disqualify her)

 

Meanwhile, it's not rational to try to compare the cause/effect of covid policies by different governors.  There was no rhyme or reason to the overall outcomes.  

Some states maintained the lowest or highest death rates throughout the pandemic, regardless of strictness/leniency of their policies. Some states had poorer results circa 2020 while being among the best outcomes in 2021-2022....and vice versa. 

Source

Edited November 12 by MsKreed

[Andy 105]

22 minutes ago, MsKreed said:

Meanwhile, it's not rational to try to compare the cause/effect of covid policies by different governors.  There was no rhyme or reason to the overall outcomes

Yeah poor wording on my part, we simply mentioned how a biker rally she supported with some backlash later had cases spread to many states, as an example of how it spread throughout the US (it’s a class on epidemiology). 
 

25 minutes ago, MsKreed said:

Considering SD's economic growth has consistently led the nation over the past decade or so.....I'd have thought she'd be more suited for a position that would put that strength into action. (if the puppycide didn't disqualify her)

That’s a position I could somewhat accept, at least. But again, her being an animal killer makes her an absolutely disgusting individual. Disappointing she’s getting a promotion, but not surprised at all

[MsKreed 1,570]

34 minutes ago, Andy said:

But again, her being an animal killer makes her an absolutely disgusting individual.

100%

She confirmed that it was an act of cruelty rather than a measured or merciful decision when she said, "I hated that dog".  

There are a few defenses that I may have accepted. For instance.....many places have laws that someone to take down an animal that attacks/kills their livestock or pets.  So, the chicken's owners may have been within their rights to demand that...and even allowed her to do it herself in a "Mice and Men" sort of sentiment. 

But some narrow window of defensibility like that is not how it happened. She offered no defense and instead expressed hatred for the dog. 

Edited November 12 by MsKreed

[Chris 3,211]

Trump has selected Mike Huckabee to be the Ambassador to Israel.

[Ann 439]

1 hour ago, MsKreed said:

100%

She confirmed that it was an act of cruelty rather than a measured or merciful decision when she said, "I hated that dog".  

There are a few defenses that I may have accepted. For instance.....many places have laws that someone to take down an animal that attacks/kills their livestock or pets.  So, the chicken's owners may have been within their rights to demand that...and even allowed her to do it herself in a "Mice and Men" sort of sentiment. 

But some narrow window of defensibility like that is not how it happened. She offered no defense and instead expressed hatred for the dog. 

I don’t know how reliable the Guardian is but I read their article about this and the reason this happened which included the dog killing someone’s chickens and attempting to bite her when she tried to control the dog.  If what I read was true, the dog was dangerous.