Podcast extra: Rachel Maddow talks with Nicolle Wallace about Trump's early Cabinet picks
The Rachel Maddow Show
Deep Dive
Why is Trump surrounding himself with loyalists rather than qualified experts?
Trump is consolidating power by filling key positions with loyalists who prioritize his will over the Constitution or agency expertise. This aligns with his broader authoritarian project to remake the federal government into a subordinate entity to Trump Inc.
What is the significance of Trump's recent Cabinet picks?
Trump's recent picks, including a Fox News anchor for Defense and an anti-vaccine activist for Health and Human Services, signal his intent to dismantle the U.S. government's institutional expertise and replace it with unqualified loyalists.
How does Trump plan to bypass Senate confirmation for his nominees?
Trump aims to use recess appointments to bypass Senate confirmation, thereby marginalizing the legislative branch and consolidating power within the executive branch. This strategy aligns with his goal to make the federal government entirely subordinate to his will.
What is the role of performative masculinity in Trump's authoritarian project?
Performative masculinity is a key element in Trump's strongman leadership pitch, emphasizing dominance and breaking rules to appeal to voters. This machismo play is a common feature in the rise of authoritarians worldwide.
Why do autocrats often engage in widespread corruption?
Autocrats typically engage in corruption as a means to enrich themselves after dismantling the rule of law. This behavior is consistent across historical and global examples of authoritarian regimes, including those in the U.S.
- Trump's picks include a Fox News anchor for Defense, a former Democratic congresswoman spreading Russian talking points for the nation's spy agencies, and a target of a federal sex trafficking investigation for the Department of Justice.
- The New York Times editorial board suggests Trump expects the Senate to ignore its responsibilities and turn agency leaders into his deputies, remaking the federal government into a Trump Inc. org chart.
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