Commentary
Two people, Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, co-chairs of President Elect Trump’s transition team that have been developing short lists for the key positions in his second administration.
J.D. Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump are honorary chairs.
Donald Jr. and Eric have become well-known as advisors and campaign spokesmen. Donald Jr. has been recognized for his recommendation of J.D. Vance to be his father’s running mate.
Lutnick is perhaps best known on Wall Street, where he is Cantor Fitzgerald’s chief executive. He is a longtime friend of Trump. He was named to co-chair the former president’s transition team in August and has appeared on a number of news shows and had a key speaking role at the Madison Square Garden rally.
McMahon served as head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term.
I’ve heard the president elect talk about the experience he gained during the first term, with some individuals who didn’t serve him well, adding that it will be different this time around.
“I’m going to be heavily involved,” said Donald Jr. during a television appearance Thursday morning. “I want to make sure now that we know who the real players are, the people who will actually deliver on the president’s message, the people who don’t think they know better than the duly elected president of the United States.”
Understanding the importance the president elect places on loyalty, Lutnick said, “They’re all going to be on the same side, they’re all going to understand the policies, and we’re going to give people the role based on their capacity, their fidelity and loyalty to the policies, as well as the man,” looking to avoid the high turnover of Trump‘s first term.
As I am writing this, several names are already being floated as potential players for such positions as chief of staff, secretary of state, secretary of defense and attorney general.
Elon Musk has already been chosen to lead an agency to cut costs and Robert Kennedy Jr. will head up a unit to improve the health of Americans.
Going out on a bit of a limb … I would be surprised if Matthew Whitaker, John Radcliffe, Mike Pompeo, Doug Bergum, Tulsi Gabbard, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Rich Grenell, Tom Homan, Chad Wolf, Suzie Wiles, Morgan Ortagus, John Paulson, Kevin Hassett, Robert Lighthizer, Robert O’Brien, Mike Lee, Kevin McCarthy, and Betsy DeVos (in no special order) were not selected to serve.
In my opinion, Gen. Jack K. Keane (Ret.), who currently chairs the Institute of the Study of War, would be an excellent choice to serve as National Security Advisor. Brig. Gen. Keith Kellogg, served in that capacity for Vice President Pence.
There are several Representatives and Senators who campaigned for Trump, who would be logical choices, but we cannot afford to lose them in Congress.
With Democrats are already online calling on Americans to resist Trump’s second term, we can expect everyone selected to be attacked no matter the expertise he or she might bring to the team. One thing is sure, they won’t be selected by DEI
May God continue to bless the United States as we enter the Golden Age.
