Challenges related to loyalty evaluations and internal disputes have resulted in Donald Trump falling short of the ambitious goal set by his transition team to appoint up to 2,000 political figures by the inaugural day of his presidency.
According to reports from CBS News, the president-elect’s intention to issue numerous offer letters to potential appointees on Monday faces significant hurdles, as Trump encounters difficulty in swiftly filling vacant roles.
Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump transition, conveyed to the outlet, “President Trump has assembled an outstanding Cabinet in record time, and the Trump-Vance Transition is tirelessly working to populate the Administration with dedicated individuals who fully embrace the America First Agenda.”
As per sources, candidates eyeing high-ranking management positions hesitate to leave their present private sector jobs without formal hiring letters from the transition team. Additionally, they prefer to give their employers notice of two weeks before taking on a role within the Trump administration.
These challenges are compounded by the considerable number of applicants vying for positions and the transition team’s comprehensive application and vetting procedure, which prioritizes loyalty to the president’s vision, contributing to the sluggish hiring pace.
In light of previous confrontations with numerous establishment Republicans, including members from his initial administration, the president-elect is aiming to surround himself with loyal MAGA supporters for his second term.
Susie Wiles, the incoming chief of staff at the White House, is expected to strive towards cultivating a West Wing characterized as a no-drama zone, distancing it from the turbulence that marked the initial phase of Trump’s first term.
“I don’t encourage individuals who wish to operate independently or seek the spotlight,” she stated to Axios. “My team and I will not accept backstabbing, inappropriate second-guessing, or theatrics. Such behaviors interfere with our mission.”
This straightforward approach has also been echoed by Trump himself. Although the president-elect took an active role in choosing his Cabinet nominees and various senior management roles, he has delegated most staffing decisions to his team members charged with leading specific departments and agencies, which has already led to some disagreements.
On Sunday, Trump loyalist Joshua Steinman appeared to criticize some national security hiring selections, pointing out affiliations with the “never-Trump” faction within the Republican party.
“Many who have been selected are excellent. However, a notable number of yet-to-be-announced staff have longstanding records of being openly ‘never Trump,’ and have been associated with notable personalities who have consistently undermined the President,” he expressed on X.
In response, incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz clarified his stance, stating, “Let me be clear: anyone working under President Trump in the NSC will be fully aligned with his America First agenda,” on the platform on Monday.
