If there were any doubts about whether Donald Trump would follow through on the promises made during his campaign, his early nominations for key positions in his administration have erased them. These selections provide a clear indication that Trump intends to push forward an agenda that aligns with his campaign rhetoric.
Trump’s recent choices increase concerns about his desire to pursue an extremist agenda. A key aspect to examine is first the criteria he uses to select the individuals for his administration’s top positions.
According to Eric Edelman, a former U.S. ambassador and defense official, Trump places the highest value on loyalty. To meet his standards, appointees must fulfill two key requirements: they must publicly endorse the claim that the 2020 election was rigged, and minimize the Capitol insurrection, presenting it as a fabricated issue rather than a genuine threat to democracy.
While Trump’s appointments will require confirmation by the U.S. Senate, the Republican majority in the upper chamber makes it very likely that his nominees will be confirmed. This is particularly concerning when we look at the early nominations made by the 47th President of the United States.
As the chief of the Pentagon, Trump appointed Pete Hegseth, a conservative Fox news host. Although surprises were expected, the decision left national security officials and defense analysts deeply unsettled. Many deplored his complete lack of experience in defense policy and Pentagon operations, raising serious concerns about his ability to lead the Department of Defense effectively.
In another key appointment, Trump picked Elon Musk – a key player in his election campaign – alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, both billionaires, to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. This newly created department aims to reduce federal bureaucracy by roughly a third, an initiative critics warn could severely compromise the functionality of essential government institutions.
Additionally, Trump’s support for Netanyahu’s regime has become even more evident with the appointment of two strongly pro-Israeli figures as US ambassadors to the United Nations and Israel. Mike Huckabee, the future ambassador to Israel, is an outspoken supporter of the "Greater Israel" project, using his adaptation of the MAGA (Make America Great Again): “Build Israel Great Again.” Huckabee has also refused to acknowledge the term “settlements”, insisting there is no such thing as the “West Bank.”
Eventually, the nomination of Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raises significant concerns about the direction of U.S. climate policy. Zeldin fully aligns with Trump’s agenda to dismantle key environmental policies established under the Biden administration. He is expected to actively pursue Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” strategy, prioritizing the expansion of hydraulic fracturing and fossil fuel development at the expense of renewable energy initiatives and environmental protection.
Donald Trump's election and his appointment of key environmental figures come at a particularly bad time, aligning with the already fragile start of COP29 a few days ago. The COP in Azerbaijan has been boycotted by many countries including the United States, France and many other EU countries. At a time when extreme climate events are becoming more frequent and devastating – such as the recent floods in Spain – this summit aims to provide, at least, a glimmer of hope through concrete actions and plans, especially as we near a decade since the Paris Agreement was signed.
Here at the Maastricht Diplomat, we will keep you updated on the outcomes of COP29 in our upcoming Sunday Summary. Stay tuned!
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