Donald Trump has been America's leading political figure for nearly a decade.
During this time, his decisions — from his rhetoric to his policy initiatives — have attracted a large number of dedicated "MAGA Patriot" supporters as well as intense "Trump Derangement Syndrome" critics. Very few individuals have successfully maintained a balanced, moderate position between these opposing groups.
This is where his strength lies. In choosing the cabinet, the administration has access to a decade of historical data to evaluate potential candidates. Have they been critical of Trump recently? Have they failed to defend him when his political opponents and the media attacked him?
The answers to these questions are everywhere, unlike in 2016. Highly influential MAGA conservatives are conducting research in the open to ensure that the Trump administration is aware of their findings.
Individuals like Charlie Kirk, Jack Posobiec, Curt Mills, and Tucker Carlson undermined Mike Pompeo's chances of joining the administration. It was easy — there were too many documented cases of his disloyalty. Others like Steve Bannon, Natalie Winters, and Ashley St. Clair are wielding their influence to do the same.
Everything is up for debate. Sebastian Gorka, who was with the Trump campaign on election night, is being considered for deputy national security advisor. However, he is now under scrutiny for being overly zealous in his support of Ukraine during the early stages of the war.
Loyalty matters above all. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), selected for the role of attorney general, has an impeccable record of supporting Trump. However, his selection was always expected to trigger a media firestorm. That didn’t matter.
Trump campaigned on installing a loyal government, something his team failed to achieve in 2016 because it was simply impossible — Trump’s political philosophy was not yet formed, and most credentialed staffers and political figures were still aligned with old-guard Republicanism.
Today, it’s a different ball game. Trump is powerful, has a strong mandate, and can influence politicians to follow his will. What he needs are loyal workers who are dedicated to him and his agenda. Now, they have never been easier to find.
