Alwaght- US President-elect Donald Trump is forming a cabinet with speculation rife on preliminary lists which are causing rifts in an already polarized in the Republican party.
While Trump seeks to mend fences with the mainstream Republicans, he is under pressure from the far-right faction in the party which powered his campaign that not only alienated fellow party members but also polarized the American society to dangerous levels. According to reports, the two warring factions are represented in recent appointments Trump made as he moves to form his cabinet.
One faction consists of the mainstream Republican stalwarts such as Reince Priebus whom Trump appointed as his chief of staff Sunday while the other faction includes far-right extremists such as Steve Bannon who will be Trump's chief strategist. Trump advisors who fronted for Priebus believe he sends a message of moderation, that he is not one of the extremist hate-mongers.
But this has been watered down by the face behind the throne, Bannon one of the high priests of the alt-right movement as the CEO of Breitbart conservative website.
Considering these two appointments, Trumps cabinet is expected to be a mixture of moderates and white supremacists to placate the two GOP warring factions.
It remains to be seen which side will reign supreme and sway Trump. However, the fact that Trump ascended to power due to the support of the far-right extremist faction in the Republican party, this is where he will most likely face.
‘Knife Fight’ over Trump’s Cabinet
CNN has quoted an insider saying that the current situation in Trump's camp amounts to a 'Knife Fight'. The report notes that, ‘a particular challenge is lack of clarity about the division of power among Priebus, Bannon and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who also has a key role in transition decisions.'
Trumps administration is expected to consist of one of the most controversial US presidential cabinets in modern history. The cabinet will likely be composed of Washington outsiders, extremist white supremacists and moderate Republicans.
Several polarizing figures who supported Trumps bruising presidential campaign such as Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani are all waiting to be awarded with top posts.
Key Republicans Refuse to Serve Trump
Already Trump is facing problems as some key Republican figures have refused to serve in his cabinet and there is a danger of lack of professional cabinet which will be filled by party extremists.
Retired African American neurosurgeon Ben Carson, a former 2016 Republican presidential candidate, has opted against accepting a Cabinet position in the Trump administration despite being mentioned as a possible secretary of Health.
Meanwhile, Former congressman Mike Rogers has also declared that he is leaving his position as a senior national security adviser to Trump’s transition team. Rogers was allied to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who together with his aides assembled names of possible Trump cabinet members over several months. Apparently there is a purge on all names proposed by the mainstream Republican Christie camp and this will leave the extremists far-right Trump loyalists and conservative ideologues in charge.
Proposed names in key cabinet posts include Giuliani and former UN Ambassador, the neo-conservative John Bolton as Secretary of State. Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, one of Trump's closest allies in Washington, might serve as secretary of defense. Controversial far right conservative, Sara Palin former is also touted to take over as secretary of interior.
Senate Hurdle
Trump’s cabinet appointees will also require Senate confirmation which is Republican dominated. However, that does not imply every appointee will have a smooth ride through Senate confirmations, as Republicans only control the Senate by two votes and some actually opposed Trump’s candidacy. Indeed, a very influential Republican on national security matters, Senator John McCain, has already condemned Trump’s efforts to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying any efforts to “reset” relations with Russia are unacceptable.
With a little over two months before his Jan. 20 inauguration, Trump has to move fast to appoint his cabinet and the coming days might prove crucial to the Republican party which is now staring into an abyss.
