Have given it a lot of thought, but still can't get my mind around the Gaetz appointment. The only conclusions that I can come to is that (x) it has something to do with the House Ethics Committee report that was to drop tomorrow (i.e., giving Gaetz a reason to withdraw from his seat today other than to avoid that report) or (y) he is some sort of trial balloon being floated to (i) identify the Senate Rs who'll shoot him down and their stated reasons for doing so, (ii) troll (and gauge reactions from) those on the D side who would be most nervous, and (iii) possibly provoke some indignant resignations at DOJ (i.e., turn Main Justice on to self-clean mode).
I can't imagine Gaetz being seated, as the lawyer-heavy Senate (including all usual-suspect Rs) could legitimately point, all politics aside, to his utter lack of substantive legal experience for the job. AG position is too important for a recess appointment, my guess being that one or both of the House and Senate would hold out on letting the Senate adjourn with Gaetz still pending.
Yes, hard to figure this as serious. AG is a prestige appointment and, without judging Gaetz on a report we haven't seen, it's clearly very divisive. Face saving for a former ally?
I would frame it quite differently. The real test is if he tells GOP senators to vote their consciences and thus flips Trump off. They'll vote the way they think will get them more campaign contributions and will get them re-elected. Trump's nominees will go down in flames and Thune will have demonstrated his political strength vis a vis Trump.
That would be my guess. Gaetz went all-in for Trump, and this is his reward. Has the added benefit of the trial-balloon effects above and builds on "Trump's a madman" anxiety and imbalance among the opposition. Either brilliant or stupid, little middle ground.
Trump famously never read or paid attention to the daily intel briefings in his first term, so how does making Gabbard director of DNI factor?
All these picks are embarrassing Israel-bought clowns who will accellerate the decline of the US empire. All will continue Israel-Biden admin's genocide of Palestine. Disgusting and evil.
Larry Johnson has an interpretation of recent nominations — including/especially Hegseth for SecDef — that I think is reasonable (and not incompatible with what Mark is proposing here):
“Hegseth also is not a creature of one of the many Washington “think tanks,” which are funded in large measure by the military industrial complex and the Zionist lobby. Trump did not select Hegseth because the former Army officer has a great plan for reforming the bloated, corrupt U.S. defense complex. He chose him because Hegseth is expected to follow orders and do what Trump wants. Anyone want to bet that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who were announced to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency, will be taking a big whack at the DOD?”
"In a 2018 speech to National Young Israel, a group that took him on a tour of Hamas tunnels found in Israel, he said that “Zionism and Americanism are the front lines of Western civilization and freedom in our world today.”
In a 2016 interview with The Jewish Press, Hegseth said, “I have come to really appreciate the Jewish heritage and the Jewish state. I understand how geopolitically we are linked and how critical it is that we stand by such a strong ally.”
I'm just now catching up with these cabinet picks. What a whirlwind and a lot different than 2016, which is good. Thank you, Mark, for your reporting and opinions. Here are my thoughts thus far, for what they are worth:
In general, I think it is obvious the picks are based primarily on loyalty/fealty. Trump is picking people he thinks will do what he wants them to do and who will be above board and transparent. If they stray from his will that will be grounds for him firing them. So maybe personnel isn't so much policy this time? Maybe we shouldn't get hung up on that? Time will tell.
Like Mark, I am disappointed (if not depressed and on the verge of despair) at the seeming Israel bias of the FP picks given the current Israeli government and the genocide and all the rest. Trump has declared that he loves Israel but DOES NOT LIKE Netanyahu (who lied to him last time around). I do not believe Trump himself is a Neo-Zionist. Is it possible that Trump believes that to "love Israel" means to keep it from being destroyed by enemies foreign OR domestic? Does Huckabee understand the dangers of Neo_Zionism?
Hegseth: "I'm not a Defense Secretary but I play one on TV"? A good and caring person for vets but he has never managed a large organization. "Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), a former Trump Cabinet official, told CNN that the prospective Pentagon leader was “a pretty good choice,” pointing to his military background. 'He understands it from a soldier’s point of view. He is absolutely going to need some — some deputies around him that understand the institution … giving him good advice,' Zinke said. (https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4985802-trump-cabinet-nominees-second-term/)
Noem: Again, no large org management experience (S.D. Gov is not a large organization). Her advertised strength is that she cares about the border and sent National Guard there numerous times. But she will have a border czar to take care of that issue. How is she qualified to oversee the rest of the responsibilities of DHS? Sundance thought it was to open up a S.D. Gov vacancy for Thune to move into... ah, no.. look at South Dakota law before speculating like that!
Rubio: The big head-scratcher and most depressing pick to me. Sundance and Luongo think it is to get him out of the Senate and off the IC committees. But man, to make him SoS? That seems exceedingly dangerous and irresponsible:
Gabbard: I have come to believe she has integrity and is dependable. Is she qualified? I don't know. Mark says she is a good fit for DNI - Sundance not so much. What do I know? I think she had to be rewarded and I wish her the best.
Gaetz: Trump: "Meet my little friend, Matt Gaetz." Now this is entertainment. I truly hope that the "little secret" he and Trump share will get his nomination approved. But if that happens I wouldn't call their secret a little one.
Next? Alex Jones for Press Secretary! Well, Alina Habba will do just fine if Alex isn't available.
If she were being honest, I think that Tulsi would acknowledge that she is not capable of managing organizations so large and complex as DOS or DOD. Gathering info and being a trusted advisor is pperfect for her. And her lack of organizational management skills could function as a brake in on the intelligence organizations?
Anybody else notice that Sundance was perfectly fine with Hegseth’s nomination — “understandable selection” — but can’t “get his mind around” Trump’s choice of Tulsi for DNI. Who IS that guy and what team is he on?
He has had a free website since 2012. He has influenced people a wide variety of folks looking for insights into Washington. He's anonymous, of course, so I probably should have said that he understands DC better than any other alt-media figure.
Most of us here are plenty familiar with and have been reading his site for many years. So, when I asked, “who is this guy,” I was wondering what his actual identity and agenda is. There have been moments, in my opinion, when his commentary has been off kilter enough to raise eyebrows.
I forget his name. He formerly handled inventory for a grocery chain in FL. He fronts for other unidentified people, who I have always assumed have connections to former senators or their staffs. His info is as good as his anonymous sources--sometimes very good, other times ...
Thinking about this more reflectively…. Isn’t this what a 2nd term should look like? As in Go for broke, take more calculated risks, push the envelope further than ever. Isn’t this what greatness is all about? Isn’t this how Elon operates? Twitter takeover as an example. Sensing a great deal of Musk influence now in Trump while his confidence is so high. I say full steam ahead!!!
I forgot about Wray. He’s a chameleon and shape shifting double talking venom spitting slime ball. Gaetz will recommend his removal and Trump will act. Trump is on a huge roll now. Stay out of the way. Got my cherry coke and popcorn. It’s been awhile.
Great sound bites lol. I’m guessing Trump holds off on not appointing an Education secretary until after the inauguration so as to reduce head explosions and avoid any military intervention between now and then.
Safe to say that GOP senators are stunned - not in a good way - on Matt Gaetz for Attorney General
JUST IN: Senator Chuck Grassley, upon hearing the news Matt Gaetz would be Trump's Attorney General, was "exasperated" in reaction and just stood there "stonefaced for 30 seconds"
News: Susan Collins tells me she is not on board with Gaetz as AG.
“I was shocked at the nomination”
“This is why the Senate's advise and consent process is so important. I'm sure that there will be many, many questions raised at Mr Gaetz’s hearing”
Thank goodness. You're indicating some positive reaction to a couple of announcements. I was beginning to feel a teensy bit of depression in regards to your other pronouncements.
Have given it a lot of thought, but still can't get my mind around the Gaetz appointment. The only conclusions that I can come to is that (x) it has something to do with the House Ethics Committee report that was to drop tomorrow (i.e., giving Gaetz a reason to withdraw from his seat today other than to avoid that report) or (y) he is some sort of trial balloon being floated to (i) identify the Senate Rs who'll shoot him down and their stated reasons for doing so, (ii) troll (and gauge reactions from) those on the D side who would be most nervous, and (iii) possibly provoke some indignant resignations at DOJ (i.e., turn Main Justice on to self-clean mode).
I can't imagine Gaetz being seated, as the lawyer-heavy Senate (including all usual-suspect Rs) could legitimately point, all politics aside, to his utter lack of substantive legal experience for the job. AG position is too important for a recess appointment, my guess being that one or both of the House and Senate would hold out on letting the Senate adjourn with Gaetz still pending.
Yes, hard to figure this as serious. AG is a prestige appointment and, without judging Gaetz on a report we haven't seen, it's clearly very divisive. Face saving for a former ally?
Test for Thune's leadership to align Alaska, Maine, and NC Senators to support (or not).
I would frame it quite differently. The real test is if he tells GOP senators to vote their consciences and thus flips Trump off. They'll vote the way they think will get them more campaign contributions and will get them re-elected. Trump's nominees will go down in flames and Thune will have demonstrated his political strength vis a vis Trump.
That would be my guess. Gaetz went all-in for Trump, and this is his reward. Has the added benefit of the trial-balloon effects above and builds on "Trump's a madman" anxiety and imbalance among the opposition. Either brilliant or stupid, little middle ground.
https://x.com/haleytalbotcnn/status/1856806886819205280?s=46&t=udVvbHWfisIwqMJBOGwf9w
Trump famously never read or paid attention to the daily intel briefings in his first term, so how does making Gabbard director of DNI factor?
All these picks are embarrassing Israel-bought clowns who will accellerate the decline of the US empire. All will continue Israel-Biden admin's genocide of Palestine. Disgusting and evil.
Larry Johnson has an interpretation of recent nominations — including/especially Hegseth for SecDef — that I think is reasonable (and not incompatible with what Mark is proposing here):
“Hegseth also is not a creature of one of the many Washington “think tanks,” which are funded in large measure by the military industrial complex and the Zionist lobby. Trump did not select Hegseth because the former Army officer has a great plan for reforming the bloated, corrupt U.S. defense complex. He chose him because Hegseth is expected to follow orders and do what Trump wants. Anyone want to bet that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who were announced to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency, will be taking a big whack at the DOD?”
https://sonar21.com/what-is-donald-trump-doing/
Alex Christoforou has posted an amusing (as always) take on this and more:
https://youtu.be/YovvO1z47vE?si=8Q_bAm39aZ3J2Rwy
Hegseth does have a connection to Koch brothers. Pro Zio too.
https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/jns/trump-taps-pete-hegseth-for-defense-secretary/article_98c0dd52-af86-589c-8b7f-51573bdaa6f2.html
"In a 2018 speech to National Young Israel, a group that took him on a tour of Hamas tunnels found in Israel, he said that “Zionism and Americanism are the front lines of Western civilization and freedom in our world today.”
In a 2016 interview with The Jewish Press, Hegseth said, “I have come to really appreciate the Jewish heritage and the Jewish state. I understand how geopolitically we are linked and how critical it is that we stand by such a strong ally.”
Very good analysis by LJ (as always)! Thanks!
I'm just now catching up with these cabinet picks. What a whirlwind and a lot different than 2016, which is good. Thank you, Mark, for your reporting and opinions. Here are my thoughts thus far, for what they are worth:
In general, I think it is obvious the picks are based primarily on loyalty/fealty. Trump is picking people he thinks will do what he wants them to do and who will be above board and transparent. If they stray from his will that will be grounds for him firing them. So maybe personnel isn't so much policy this time? Maybe we shouldn't get hung up on that? Time will tell.
Like Mark, I am disappointed (if not depressed and on the verge of despair) at the seeming Israel bias of the FP picks given the current Israeli government and the genocide and all the rest. Trump has declared that he loves Israel but DOES NOT LIKE Netanyahu (who lied to him last time around). I do not believe Trump himself is a Neo-Zionist. Is it possible that Trump believes that to "love Israel" means to keep it from being destroyed by enemies foreign OR domestic? Does Huckabee understand the dangers of Neo_Zionism?
Hegseth: "I'm not a Defense Secretary but I play one on TV"? A good and caring person for vets but he has never managed a large organization. "Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), a former Trump Cabinet official, told CNN that the prospective Pentagon leader was “a pretty good choice,” pointing to his military background. 'He understands it from a soldier’s point of view. He is absolutely going to need some — some deputies around him that understand the institution … giving him good advice,' Zinke said. (https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4985802-trump-cabinet-nominees-second-term/)
Noem: Again, no large org management experience (S.D. Gov is not a large organization). Her advertised strength is that she cares about the border and sent National Guard there numerous times. But she will have a border czar to take care of that issue. How is she qualified to oversee the rest of the responsibilities of DHS? Sundance thought it was to open up a S.D. Gov vacancy for Thune to move into... ah, no.. look at South Dakota law before speculating like that!
Rubio: The big head-scratcher and most depressing pick to me. Sundance and Luongo think it is to get him out of the Senate and off the IC committees. But man, to make him SoS? That seems exceedingly dangerous and irresponsible:
https://x.com/imetatronink/status/1500691770010525696
Ratcliffe: OK, let's see how it works out.
Gabbard: I have come to believe she has integrity and is dependable. Is she qualified? I don't know. Mark says she is a good fit for DNI - Sundance not so much. What do I know? I think she had to be rewarded and I wish her the best.
Gaetz: Trump: "Meet my little friend, Matt Gaetz." Now this is entertainment. I truly hope that the "little secret" he and Trump share will get his nomination approved. But if that happens I wouldn't call their secret a little one.
Next? Alex Jones for Press Secretary! Well, Alina Habba will do just fine if Alex isn't available.
If she were being honest, I think that Tulsi would acknowledge that she is not capable of managing organizations so large and complex as DOS or DOD. Gathering info and being a trusted advisor is pperfect for her. And her lack of organizational management skills could function as a brake in on the intelligence organizations?
Anybody else notice that Sundance was perfectly fine with Hegseth’s nomination — “understandable selection” — but can’t “get his mind around” Trump’s choice of Tulsi for DNI. Who IS that guy and what team is he on?
He understands it better than any other public figure. I have been following him for ten years.
He is on Team USA.
When did he become a public figure?
He has had a free website since 2012. He has influenced people a wide variety of folks looking for insights into Washington. He's anonymous, of course, so I probably should have said that he understands DC better than any other alt-media figure.
Most of us here are plenty familiar with and have been reading his site for many years. So, when I asked, “who is this guy,” I was wondering what his actual identity and agenda is. There have been moments, in my opinion, when his commentary has been off kilter enough to raise eyebrows.
I forget his name. He formerly handled inventory for a grocery chain in FL. He fronts for other unidentified people, who I have always assumed have connections to former senators or their staffs. His info is as good as his anonymous sources--sometimes very good, other times ...
All up, a mixed bag of appointments, some good, some questionable.
Now we wait for their tenure to commence to see how they act.
Not all. Treasury, which is very important.
OMB just as important to align to DOGE.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4278224/posts
Republicans "stunned and disgusted" as Trump taps Matt Gaetz for attorney general
Thinking about this more reflectively…. Isn’t this what a 2nd term should look like? As in Go for broke, take more calculated risks, push the envelope further than ever. Isn’t this what greatness is all about? Isn’t this how Elon operates? Twitter takeover as an example. Sensing a great deal of Musk influence now in Trump while his confidence is so high. I say full steam ahead!!!
Been quite the day.
Still waiting for the RFK Jr announcement.
I forgot about Wray. He’s a chameleon and shape shifting double talking venom spitting slime ball. Gaetz will recommend his removal and Trump will act. Trump is on a huge roll now. Stay out of the way. Got my cherry coke and popcorn. It’s been awhile.
Wray is cooked.
https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2024/11/13/hot-takes-internet-explodes-over-trump-picking-gaetz-for-attorney-general-n2181967
Great sound bites lol. I’m guessing Trump holds off on not appointing an Education secretary until after the inauguration so as to reduce head explosions and avoid any military intervention between now and then.
All decison making is based on intel. Get good intel...you make good decisions. Get bad intel...you make horrible decisions.
Miss Gabbard as head of DNI is a God-send. All Donny has to do is call Ms Gabbard and say.
"Tulsi, what do you think about these people saying...... ( or in another situation) this briefing I just got?" And he will get a straight answer.
Then, it is all up to him, to choose.
If Tulsi can get intel to be fact based and share with Trump it may offset the warmonger appointees.
Imagine how Dems are reacting:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trump-picks-matt-gaetz-attorney-general
Safe to say that GOP senators are stunned - not in a good way - on Matt Gaetz for Attorney General
JUST IN: Senator Chuck Grassley, upon hearing the news Matt Gaetz would be Trump's Attorney General, was "exasperated" in reaction and just stood there "stonefaced for 30 seconds"
News: Susan Collins tells me she is not on board with Gaetz as AG.
“I was shocked at the nomination”
“This is why the Senate's advise and consent process is so important. I'm sure that there will be many, many questions raised at Mr Gaetz’s hearing”
OTOH:
The Hammer of Justice is coming
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024
Very promising for Covid accountability!https://t.co/adjrVWV8ZQ https://t.co/T2Q5lPY7Q7
— Edward Dowd (@DowdEdward) November 13, 2024
Thank goodness. You're indicating some positive reaction to a couple of announcements. I was beginning to feel a teensy bit of depression in regards to your other pronouncements.