Trump’s Cabinet controversy: Will it be for better or for worse?

 

Carson Neuhausen| Sports Editor

December 4, 2024

As Trump goes through the process of electing his Cabinet members, media outlets question the intentions behind his nominations. A few of his selections have caused massive controversy on both sides of the political spectrum. These are some of the most notable appointments Trump has made:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Secretary of Health and Human Services): A vaccine pessimist and known conspiracy theorist, Kennedy’s nomination has sparked significant debate, especially given

  

  the department’s responsibility for public health and disease control.

• Kristi Noem (Secretary of Homeland Security): The South Dakota governor is charged with leading Trump’s proposed large-scale immigration enforcement and border security operations.
• Chris Wright (Secretary of Energy): As a strong advocate for fracking and oil production, Wright spotlights Trump’s commitment to expanding fossil fuel industries while scaling back environmental regulations.
• Howard Lutnick (Secretary of Commerce): The CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, Lutnick’s experience is expected to focus on advancing pro-business policies, although concerns about potential conflicts of interest have been raised.

The most controversial appointments include Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who will co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This new department will play an advisory role in the Trump administration, whose goal is to find ways to speed up the often slow and inefficient ways of the government. Cortez Calentino, a junior at SCHS, said “I’m curious to see how Elon Musk does and how much power he has.”

Critics argue that some of these choices reflect a prioritization of loyalty and ideology over experience in public service. Supporters argue that Trump’s appointments align with his promises to disrupt Washington’s status quo and prioritize American economic and energy interests. Junior Luke Karidis said, “I’m kinda worried about Trump’s Cabinet, it seems like he’s just picking people who have supported him rather than qualified people.” Many view this as a net positive, but there are still plenty of voters from both sides of the political spectrum who don’t entirely agree with Trump’s new plan.

This Cabinet reflects a continuation of what we can expect from Trump when he is placed in office. It also highlights the polarizing nature of his administration, likely setting the tone for confirmation hearings and debates in the months ahead.

Every time a new president is elected, there is some controversy about their Cabinet choices. The opposition will attempt to disqualify certain nominations with the hope of disrupting the soon-to-be president’s office. We Americans will just have to wait for Trump to take office to see if this new style of governance is for the better or worse.