There were a number of strategic appointments that characterised Donald Trump’s presidency and also defined his administration’s policies as well as those of the country. This thematic arrangement of appointments reveals that there were at least a few things that Trump said or wrote that carried significant weight regardless of whether the focus was on US foreign policy or domestic order. Even for the country at present, what are the significant takeaways from this administrative appointment style by Trump? This is what we will highlight in this blog.
1. Looking Outside The Realm Of The Washington Establishment
Some of these attributes of Donald Trump’s leadership style – including his stylistic decision to personally head this particular domain – lend themselves to explaining the choices he made when it came to appointments. Trump, on the other hand, broke this cycle as well when it came to appointing people to key roles.
For instance, Irene Rosenfeld and Robert Merton decided to focus on a different foreign policy and, surprise surprise, Betsy DeVos, who has no background as a politician, conveniently became the secretary of education who is rather wealthy and focused on romance. It is not even worth mentioning the Secretary of State since it is common knowledge that it was Rex Tillerson, an ex CEO of Exxon, who had no diplomatic or political experience, which again aligns with Trump’s vision of appointment making.
Trump held the conviction that people from the private sector could add efficiency and a business approach to the functioning of government. This approach, which was off the beaten track, made headlines in Washington and foreshadowed his term of office.
2. Personal Loyalty and Shared Trump ’s Own Values
One of the dominant trends in Trump’s appointments was also the desire for them to have a winnowing strangle. In these appointments, Trump’s personal detachment from everything else was evident as he picked those who would remain supportive of him in times of need. The focus on loyalty extended to both the internal and external politics of the United States.
For example, Trump appointed Michael Flynn, a retired US army general, to be his National Security Adviser. Flynn was in fact an ardent Trump supporter from the start of the campaign, calling him an outstanding candidate on issues of national security. Unfortunately, Flynn could not serve long. He had to resign as a result of the contrived scandal about his talks with Russian diplomats. Still, Trump’s personal approach prevailed: he believed that the bonds of loyalty are fundamental in establishing relations with allies and adversaries alike.
Additionally, Trump’s appointments were almost always in line with his ‘America First’ philosophy.
3. Gender and Diversity Challenges
Although he tried to make some of his appointments more representative in nature, his administration was still described as monolithic and lacking diversity, particularly at the higher levels. Throughout his presidency, the concentration of women and minority officials in key positions was critically low compared to other administrations.
Yet there were outstanding exceptions. Trump nominated a South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley, to head America’s mission to the United Nations. Haley served as one of the most prominent women in Trump’s administration, who took an active part in the development of the country’s foreign policies at the UN level.
On top of it, Trump named an African American neurosurgeon, Ben Carson, to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ben Carson was commended for his role in advancing the new housing policy despite being inexperienced in the area of public housing management. Still, these capabilities did not silence the further complaints about the general inability to uphold more diversity in Trump’s Cabinet.
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4. American Foreign Policy and Trump ’s Team
Trump’s critical appointments to his foreign policy team were also fully consistent with his “America First” strategy, which leaned more on America than on collaboration. His picks for key positions such as Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and Secretary of Defense followed this orientation.
Rex Tillerson’s appointment as Secretary of State, for instance, showed Trump’s desire for business proportions in diplomacy. As the former CEO of ExxonMobil, Tillerson possessed valuable global corporate experience and was expected to adopt a business-like mentality in dealing with foreign relations. Still, his rule turned out to be troubled by Trump’s scuffles, especially on climate change and the US role in international institutions.
In a similar way, Trump’s choice to withdraw the United States from several international treaties such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran nuclear treaty reaffirmed the “America First” mantra. Certain of his appointees shared a viewpoint of his including John Bolton who was National Security Advisor and who managed to push a more hawkish international strategy.
5. Lasting Legacy and Impact on Future Appointments
Trump’s appointments were not only the hallmark of his administration but they also served as a guide to future presidential appointments. He placed importance upon loyalty, business exposure, and an outsider’s view which may well shape how future presidents will appoint sons and daughters of their cabinets.
In addition, Trump’s legacy also permeates through the Judicial System. One of his legacies that stands out most is the appointment of conservative judges to the federal courts, which also includes three Supreme Court justices. The appointments made during his presidency on the courts have a long-term effect on judicial matters as Trump’s legacy continues to have a say in matters such as abortion rights, gun control, and executive privilege now and for many years to come.
Conclusion
Donald Trump had an agenda when making administrative appointments as he sought to advance his political goals. He was able to change the course of American politics and policies by one simple approach: employing people who were not part of the Washington establishment, were loyal, and shared his vision. Even though the appointments raised controversies on the diversity and the experience of the appointed officials, they indelibly changed the political scene in America, and quite likely, the impact of these appointments will continue to be relevant in the coming progressions. Click here for the source
