What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[Valmy]

So, Matt Gaetz has withdrawn from the AG post. He looked like one of the biggest POS in a potential cabinet full of those. I guess Trump will met the challenge of nominating a somehow worse candidate than him.

That has generally been my reaction to Republican politicians. It seems like whenever some giant POS goes away his replacement is usually worse. So don't rejoice too much the day Ted Cruz finally retires. Eventually you will look back on his time with nostalgia.

[Barrister]

So, Matt Gaetz has withdrawn from the AG post. He looked like one of the biggest POS in a potential cabinet full of those. I guess Trump will met the challenge of nominating a somehow worse candidate than him.

*cough* Tulsi Gabbard *cough*

Attorney General is clearly the position though that most concerns Trump.  Despite Jeff Sessions being pretty closely aligned with Trump's overall agenda, he HATED the fact that Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe.  He's repeatedly said he wants the DOJ to go after his enemies.  Which is presumably why he went with Gaetz in the first place despite his obvious flaws.

Perhaps the best news out of this is it signals that Trump does not think he can force his way to get recess appointments for positions like AG - that the Senate will not play ball, and he will in fact need to get his cabinet picks through the Senate.

[Valmy]

Tulsi for Trump AG? That would definitely complete her anime betrayal arc.

[Barrister]

Tulsi for Trump AG? That would definitely complete her anime betrayal arc.

I more meant she was the bigger piece of shit - at least when compared to the role she was nominated for.

One risk though (if I understand it right) is that once someone is Senate approved for one position, they can then be moved to a completely different position.  So just as one example (and she's hardly the worst one) once Elise Stefanik is approved to be UN Ambassador, she could then be moved over to AG without having to go through further Senate confirmation.

[Syt]

So, Matt Gaetz has withdrawn from the AG post. He looked like one of the biggest POS in a potential cabinet full of those. I guess Trump will met the challenge of nominating a somehow worse candidate than him.

At this point actually surprised he gave up. I assume he's looking at a lucrative career as White House lickspittle, or FOX News talking (fore)head.

[Solmyr]

Someone hinted to him that they'll leak the report if he doesn't withdraw?

MAGA morons are having a fit on X about this btw, screaming that he has TEH MANDATE and they want him.

[Syt]

Someone hinted to him that they'll leak the report if he doesn't withdraw?

MAGA morons are having a fit on X about this btw, screaming that he has TEH MANDATE and they want him.

"YOU WERE THE CHOSE ONE!!!"

[Caliga]

At this point actually surprised he gave up. I assume he's looking at a lucrative career as White House lickspittle, or FOX News talking (fore)head.

Yeah, now that he has quit his 'job' as a professional troll in Congress, he's now available to play a live-action Butthead, too.

[crazy canuck]

So, Matt Gaetz has withdrawn from the AG post. He looked like one of the biggest POS in a potential cabinet full of those. I guess Trump will met the challenge of nominating a somehow worse candidate than him.

At this point actually surprised he gave up. I assume he's looking at a lucrative career as White House lickspittle, or FOX News talking (fore)head.

This was his best outcome for him since it had become clear Senate would not confirm his appointment. Now he gets to spin any conspiracy he wants about the deep state acting to prevent him from being AG, and he gets his FOX gig.

@BB Yeah, agreed that he is not the biggest POS amongst the nominations.

[Zanza]

I predict that each cabinet post in this administration will be changed at least once on average during Trump's term.

[Valmy]

I predict that each cabinet post in this administration will be changed at least once on average during Trump's term.

If his first term is anything to go by, at least once.

[Sheilbh]

On the bright side, the ambassador to Canada looks to be a reasonable pick.

There is a theory that Trump is placing people in positions that he really cares about based on loyalty and is skewing towards traditional Republican appointments for areas he doesn't care about.

I kinda like that he is signalling he doesn't care about Canada.  I'm quite happy to be well outside of his attention for the next four years.

With the previous UK Ambassador he appointed he did follow the traditional American approach - a very wealthy, big Republican donor (who I think had a particular interest in horse racing)

I imagine it'll be similar this time.

Attorney General is clearly the position though that most concerns Trump.  Despite Jeff Sessions being pretty closely aligned with Trump's overall agenda, he HATED the fact that Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe.  He's repeatedly said he wants the DOJ to go after his enemies.  Which is presumably why he went with Gaetz in the first place despite his obvious flaws.

Also to protect him - apparently he used to say he needed a Bobby Kennedy (which I think is a little unfair).

[Neil]

Wait, is Gabbard a worse person than Gaetz?  She always struck me as someone who wasn't malicious, but just wasn't really capable of considering the consequences of her stances. 

[crazy canuck]

Wait, is Gabbard a worse person than Gaetz?  She always struck me as someone who wasn't malicious, but just wasn't really capable of considering the consequences of her stances. 

Russian asset

[Neil]

Wait, is Gabbard a worse person than Gaetz?  She always struck me as someone who wasn't malicious, but just wasn't really capable of considering the consequences of her stances. 

Russian asset

Is she actually though, or do her contrarian tendencies have her taking positions on foreign policy that align with America's traditional foes?  Is there any evidence, or is it just inference from her shooting her mouth off?  I think she's a pretty questionable pick for DNI, but I haven't seen anything that indicates that she's a Bill Heydon rather than a Ramsay MacDonald.