Note: This photo series is constantly updated.
Donald Trump wastes no time. Now that the triumphant election victory has been achieved, it’s time to get down to business: finding the right people for his second term in office.
During the long months of the election campaign, Trump repeatedly dropped names of people who he believed would do a “great job” in government. His transition team has already begun considering potential candidates for key positions in the Cabinet and the White House.
One quality stands out above all others in the selection process: loyalty to Trump.
Donald Trump relies on loyalty for cabinet positions
In his first term in office, Trump surrounded himself predominantly with veteran Republicans, Washington insiders and former generals. These include personalities such as his Chief of Staff John Kelly, National Security Advisor John Bolton, Attorney General William Barr and Vice President Mike Pence. It was these employees who offered at least some resistance to Trump’s worst instincts – and who today warn against their old boss in the harshest tones.
There will be no such people in his second term. Trump plans to fill every level of his government with loyalists who will not put limits on him.
These missing guardrails will determine the fate of American democracy, warns US political scientist Eric Schickler in an interview with star. “You have to imagine it like this: the hiring criterion is no longer competence or party affiliation. The only question that counts is: are you loyal to Trump?”
In his loyalty cabinet, Trump relies on experienced allies such as his campaign manager Susie Wiles and advisor Stephen Miller. But a number of unconventional candidates such as tech billionaire Elon Musk and three former TV presenters are also happy to have a place at Trump’s table.
Click here to view the photo series of the top candidates for Trump’s government:
