Trump is moving quickly to assert his mandate and put pressure on the Senate, showing them he has the power to make bold, controversial picks.
The Senate, known for its decorum and long reelection cycles, is experiencing whiplash trying to confirm extreme candidates like Matt Gaetz, testing their traditional norms and decorum.
Gaetz faces significant opposition due to his negative media coverage and potential ethical issues, making his confirmation a heavy lift for the Senate.
Wiles uses a Zen-like, egoless approach, understanding Trump's nature and managing competing interests without creating enemies, earning her a loyal following.
Chaos is a deliberate strategy for Trump, who thrives in it and uses it to keep opponents off balance, making it harder to predict his next moves.
The speed and controversy of these picks could lead to messy confirmation battles, logistical challenges, and potential legal issues, especially with high-profile positions like Attorney General.
Expect immediate actions on mass deportations, potential military involvement, and a flurry of executive orders, mirroring his aggressive approach in 2016 but with even more urgency.
Mass deportations could severely impact agriculture and other industries reliant on migrant labor, particularly in Western states, leading to economic disruption.
Trump likely enjoys the media outrage and attention that controversial picks generate, feeding into his strategy of keeping his opponents and the public off balance.
Tara is joined by Marc Caputo from The Bulwark and Politico’s Meridith McGraw to discuss Donald Trump’s increasingly controversial cabinet selections. They shine a light on Trump’s new chief of staff, Susie Wiles; debate the viability of Matt Gaetz as his selection for attorney general; and speculate on what Trump's first days in office will look like.
For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20.
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guests: Marc Caputo and Meridith McGraw
Producer: Chris Sutton
Production Supervision: Conor Nevins
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