Maggie Haberman, a journalist for the New York Times, proposed that President-elect Trump’s team is strategically trying to “overwhelm” and push the boundaries of political norms with his Cabinet selections. During an appearance on CNN with Jake Tapper, Haberman stated, “They are looking to shock and overwhelm the system so they can maximize what the system will tolerate.”
When asked if there would be more “shocking appointments” in the future, Haberman confidently responded with a “yes,” though she noted that speculating about Trump’s next move was a “useless game.” She pointed out the unpredictable nature of his decisions, saying, “He will change his mind, someone will undo a staff pick or a Cabinet pick, and so forth. Things are too fluid with him.”
Tapper and Haberman agree that Trump’s team is pushing boundaries with bold Cabinet choices
Both Tapper and Haberman agreed that Trump’s Cabinet picks so far all demonstrate loyalty to the president-elect, with Tapper describing them as “MAGA warriors,” a reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. “They are MAGA warriors. They are in your face,” Tapper remarked. Haberman affirmed, saying, “Correct.”
Looking ahead, Haberman speculated that Trump’s selection of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general might be “a bridge too far” for some Republican senators, although she acknowledged, “we’ll find out.”
The nomination of Gaetz surprised many and has placed Senate Republicans in a difficult position. Trump also received criticism for naming conservative Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense secretary and for selecting Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.
In response, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a staunch Trump ally, issued a warning to fellow Republicans on Thursday, saying, “We’re going to try to get you out of the Senate” if they oppose Trump’s picks and agenda.
