The “circus” of Trump appointments

New wave of Donald Trump appointments sparks dismay among US politics experts contacted by The Press. “It’s a real circus. I’m just disgusted,” said one.

Some particularly caught the attention of the experts interviewed by The Press.

The case of the very controversial Matt Gaetz, appointed head of the Department of Justice, was a real “shock” for Donald G. Nieman, professor of history and dean emeritus of Binghamton University, in New York. “Even I didn’t expect that,” he says.

Matt Gaetz is not only hated by Democrats and even some Republicans, adhering to the most right-wing fringe of the party, but he presents himself as “the man most targeted by investigations in the State Congress -United”.

Similarly, the appointment of Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the world’s most powerful military has left experts perplexed. He is, of course, a former soldier, but being Secretary of Defense of the United States comes with enormous responsibility and requires experience, as well as a fine mastery of bureaucratic workings.

However, he declared in a recent podcast show that he did not want women to fight, and that he wanted to dismiss any military official deemed too “woke”.

“The problem is that if he has a very fixed view of things, he can do a lot of damage by being in this position,” emphasizes Donald G. Nieman.

In summary, “it’s a real circus. I’m just disgusted,” says Maxwell Cameron, professor of political science at the University of British Columbia. “But beyond his follies, [Donald Trump] especially takes the United States down a very slippery slope. »

“Trump is perhaps more extreme than he has ever been,” says Graham G. Dodds, professor of political science at Concordia University.

Loyalty above all

It is not unusual for nominations to be announced between the election and inauguration nor for appointees to have a vision similar to that of the president.

But what is important is the speed with which Donald Trump announces them and, above all, his desire to see them exercise their functions without going through the approval of the Senate. “This is unprecedented,” said Graham G. Dodds.

“I worry about this way he is trying to circumvent the institutions […]to avoid having to be held accountable,” underlines Maxwell Cameron.

Also, for several appointments, it is rare to see such unqualified people being appointed to such important positions. “Let’s say that loyalty counts more than the CV,” notes Valérie Beaudoin, associate researcher at the Observatory on the United States of the Raoul-Dandurand Chair.

And after Trump’s speech calling for the country to be united, some might have expected him to choose less radical people for these key posts, or even a Democrat or two. “But here, he does the opposite,” notes Donald G. Nieman.

It remains to be seen what these loyalists will do once in power – if they gain it. Experts see an isolationist trend emerging among appointees to international politics; but it remains to be seen what they will do for Ukraine, for example.

“There are still a lot of question marks. We don’t know their political agenda,” underlines Valérie Beaudoin.

The last safeguards?

Experts admit that between control of the White House, the Republican majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives, but also a Supreme Court majority on the right (which has six out of nine judges appointed by Republican presidents), Trump has free rein.

But there are still some safeguards, according to them.

Although Trump has asked not to have to have his nominations approved, “so far, the Senate has not said that it is going to let him do it,” said John Mark Hansen, professor of political science at the University of Chicago.

Fifty Senate votes are enough for them to be approved. However, the Republicans occupy “only” 53 seats out of 100. Some of the most controversial nominations could therefore not pass – notably that of Matt Gaetz – if enough Republicans decide to turn their backs on Trump.

And it is not impossible that some will do so: with Trump not being able to run for a third term, certain Republican senators could be more independent, believes John Mark Hansen.

“It’s going to be a real test for the Senate,” summarizes Donald G. Nieman.

Also, “many things require 60 votes in the Senate, out of 100, for them to pass,” underlines Valérie Beaudoin – whether it is laws or budgets. If the Democrats present a united front, they will be able to block them.

Another potential safeguard is that of the Constitution, which remains difficult to modify. And the courts could also get in Trump’s way, argues Valérie Beaudoin. “But he won’t stop himself from doing something just because it’s illegal,” recalls John Mark Hansen.

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