In recent news, President Donald J. Trump has made headlines concerning his proposed cabinet. For those who are unaware, a president’s cabinet refers to their direct advisors. Specifically, some of the positions are Secretary of State and Secretary of War. After a president-elect has made their selections, government agencies, among which are the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), must perform background checks on the candidates. Then, the senate must confirm the prospective cabinet members.
Many have seen Trump’s picks as at best reckless and at worst asinine. For example, Robert F. Kennedy’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services has caused quite a stir. Kennedy, or RFK as he is commonly referred to, does not believe in vaccines. RFK is under the impression that some vaccinations, specifically ones for measles, may cause autism in young children. This idea has been disproven by many reputable sources such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Virtually the entire left wing views RFK’s anti-vax positions as radical. Some on the right also view his ideas as extreme and ill-informed. Thus, many have been greatly unsettled with his selection.
Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Veteran Affairs has also been met with some distaste. Hegseth has been accused of sexual misconduct, though he has not been convicted of anything. These allegations have left many Americans questioning whether he is fit to command the level of responsibility befitted to one his proposed station. Furthermore, Hegseth has very radically right-leaning views. For example, he was notorious for downplaying the severity and scope of COVID-19. His viewpoint has worried many as he may create more political polarization in an already very contentious time.
Trump has also proposed to create a department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. DOGE, in theory, will help cut federal expenditures and streamline government operations. Particularly, the selection of Elon Musk has worried some. Musk is the CEO of a number of companies, most notably Tesla and SpaceX. Regardless of Musk’s experience with business, he doesn’t have the qualifications of one who is charged with running a government department. Musk has never held a position in the government. Musk is a scientist and businessman, not a political policy analyst.
Of president Trump’s 15 cabinet picks, 10 have already been confirmed by the senate. Pete Hegseth is among them, but RFK has yet to be confirmed. DOGE has officially been established. A few days ago on January 22nd Trump signed an executive order issuing its creation.
