Matt Gatez and RFK Jr. are two individuals who will not be in Donald Trump’s cabinet
All successful politicians enjoy a period of goodwill from the public and the media, which can last for months, or even into the first 100 days of their term.
However, this was not the case for Donald Trump.
His honeymoon phase lasted only about a week, and if you blinked, you missed the shortest love affair in political history.
But Trump wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Fresh off his landslide victory, the president-elect basked in the spotlight alone.
Democrats were left speechless, and his friendly chat with Joe Biden solidified his comeback from political obscurity.
Biden’s welcoming words “Welcome back” to the White House sent a clear message to the doubters and resistors.
Take that, Kamala!
The positive energy must have been driving Trump crazy.
He needed to stir up some trouble to break up the party.
And that’s exactly what he did. His nominations of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of Health and Human Services abruptly ended the honeymoon.
Perhaps feeling restless at Mar-a-Lago, Trump decided to act presidential and pardon two turkeys early for Thanksgiving.
However, calling Gaetz and Kennedy turkeys would be an insult to actual turkeys.
Not the Right Fit
It’s clear that both men are not suitable for Cabinet positions.
There is no evidence in their backgrounds that supports giving them such significant power and responsibility.
In fact, their records argue strongly against their appointments.
Gaetz is known for his erratic behavior and lack of trustworthiness in Congress, which is saying something given the competition.
His sudden resignation is due to an impending ethics report containing allegations, including sexual misconduct with a minor at a party.
It’s highly unlikely that the report will remain under wraps given the circumstances.
Yet Trump, in nominating him for attorney general, believes Gaetz is qualified to be the highest law enforcement officer in the country.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump states that “Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan weaponization of our Justice System.”
While he’s not wrong, Trump must entrust this reform to someone with extensive legal experience and impeccable character, neither of which Gaetz possesses.
Kennedy, on the other hand, is more of a conspiracy theorist on various subjects, including food, medicine, water, and air.
While he may occasionally make valid points, that doesn’t qualify him for a Cabinet position.
At best, he would be a disruptive force rather than a catalyst for lasting change.
Appointing him as secretary would damage the agency’s credibility and allow its problems to escalate.
If these were the only issues with Gaetz and Kennedy, it would be reason enough for Trump to reward their campaign support with lower-ranking jobs.
However, the collateral damage they are causing to the entire administration is even more concerning.
By nominating them, Trump is undermining his own agenda and more qualified candidates he could have chosen.
Giving Ammo to the Opposition
Moreover, he has handed the left a new line of attack, with Democrats and the media criticizing his choices as reflecting poor character and questionable motives.
While they can’t rely on the Russia narrative anymore, they are eager to paint Trump’s Cabinet picks as a mistake by the voters.
And it’s not just the left that is alarmed.
Many Republicans, including some conservative members, doubt that Gaetz and Kennedy can pass Senate confirmation despite a Republican majority.
In response, Trump has hinted at using recess appointments to bypass a Senate vote.
Such tactics only fuel the narrative that Trump is authoritarian and prone to dictatorial governance.
Neither Gaetz nor Kennedy are worth the trouble.
Furthermore, their nominations will hinder the much-needed reforms that Trump aims to achieve.
This applies not only to Justice and HHS but to the entire federal government.
The bloated bureaucracy must be reined in and refocused on its original purpose.
In contrast to the Gaetz and Kennedy nominations, Trump’s other picks, such as Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, Elise Stefanik for ambassador to the UN, and Doug Burgum for Interior secretary, are promising choices that align with his reform agenda.
While controversial, nominees like Tulsi Gabbard for director of National Intelligence and Pete Hegseth for secretary of Defense demonstrate Trump’s commitment to shaking up Washington with new leadership.
Ultimately, Trump must reconsider his choices for the Cabinet positions to avoid derailing his agenda and damaging his administration’s credibility.
Both Gaetz and Kennedy have already generated controversy and division, making it difficult for Trump to achieve the reforms he envisions.
