This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/president-donald-trump-cabinet-appointees-who-are-they-confirmation-a7539541.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Donald Trump's cabinet: The people now tasked with running the country | Donald Trump's cabinet: The people now tasked with running the country |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| As President Donald Trump has filled his Cabinet with former generals, millionaires, and billionaires. | As President Donald Trump has filled his Cabinet with former generals, millionaires, and billionaires. |
| So far, only two – Generals James Mattis and John Kelly – have made it through Senate confirmation hearings. For the rest, a veritable grab bag of people whose CVs do not necessarily match the jobs they have been granted, they still need congressional approval. | So far, only two – Generals James Mattis and John Kelly – have made it through Senate confirmation hearings. For the rest, a veritable grab bag of people whose CVs do not necessarily match the jobs they have been granted, they still need congressional approval. |
| Mr Trump, who failed to win the majority of the popular vote, had claimed he called former President Barack Obama for advice regarding whom he should appoint to the incoming administration. But the majority of the people he has officially named do not seem to reflect the input of the Democratic president – which is not unexpected given his criticism of the previous administration. | Mr Trump, who failed to win the majority of the popular vote, had claimed he called former President Barack Obama for advice regarding whom he should appoint to the incoming administration. But the majority of the people he has officially named do not seem to reflect the input of the Democratic president – which is not unexpected given his criticism of the previous administration. |
| What concerns critics, however, is how many of Mr Trump’s appointees maintain hard-line stances on progressive issues – including LGBTQ, civil, immigrant, and women’s rights. Others appear to go against his primary campaign promise to “drain the swamp” of Washington DC elite and Wall Street-lined pocketbooks. Additionally, his Cabinet appointments has taken shape to be the whitest in decades – it is the first to not include a Latino nominee in decades. | What concerns critics, however, is how many of Mr Trump’s appointees maintain hard-line stances on progressive issues – including LGBTQ, civil, immigrant, and women’s rights. Others appear to go against his primary campaign promise to “drain the swamp” of Washington DC elite and Wall Street-lined pocketbooks. Additionally, his Cabinet appointments has taken shape to be the whitest in decades – it is the first to not include a Latino nominee in decades. |
| So, who are the people who will now run the US? | So, who are the people who will now run the US? |
| Vice PresidentFormer Governor of Indiana | Vice PresidentFormer Governor of Indiana |
| Mr Pence served in the US House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013. He has built a reputation as a hard line opponent of abortion. During his time as governor, Mr Pence passed a law requiring the burial for foetal tissues and remains – blocked by a federal judge in June. | Mr Pence served in the US House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013. He has built a reputation as a hard line opponent of abortion. During his time as governor, Mr Pence passed a law requiring the burial for foetal tissues and remains – blocked by a federal judge in June. |
| Secretary of StateFormer ExxonMobil CEO Confirmed: No | Secretary of StateFormer ExxonMobil CEO Confirmed: No |
| The nominee for Secretary of State has worked for ExxonMobil for 41 years; he became CEO in 2006. During his tenure as chief executive, he brokered a deal with Russia valued at approximately $500bn (£409bn), per Vladimir Putin’s estimation. The arrangement earned Mr Tillerson the Russian Order of Friendship, the highest honour for a foreign national. | The nominee for Secretary of State has worked for ExxonMobil for 41 years; he became CEO in 2006. During his tenure as chief executive, he brokered a deal with Russia valued at approximately $500bn (£409bn), per Vladimir Putin’s estimation. The arrangement earned Mr Tillerson the Russian Order of Friendship, the highest honour for a foreign national. |
| But 2014 sanctions imposed on Russia – which the oil giant lobbied against – prevented Exxon from continuing their business in the country. Many suspect Mr Tillerson would work to lift those sanctions despite Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, as well as further interference with Ukraine. | But 2014 sanctions imposed on Russia – which the oil giant lobbied against – prevented Exxon from continuing their business in the country. Many suspect Mr Tillerson would work to lift those sanctions despite Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, as well as further interference with Ukraine. |
| Secretary of DefenceRetired Marine GeneralConfirmed: Yes | Secretary of DefenceRetired Marine GeneralConfirmed: Yes |
| Mr Mattis is best known for leading the Marines during the 2004 Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. He had previously ignited controversy for making light of killing people during battle during 2005 remarks, bragging that “it’s fun to shoot some people”. The retired general diverged from the President’s positions on foreign policy during his Senate confirmation, suggesting that he supports a tough approach to dealing with Russia, agrees with the Iran nuclear deal, and supports maintaining Nato. | Mr Mattis is best known for leading the Marines during the 2004 Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. He had previously ignited controversy for making light of killing people during battle during 2005 remarks, bragging that “it’s fun to shoot some people”. The retired general diverged from the President’s positions on foreign policy during his Senate confirmation, suggesting that he supports a tough approach to dealing with Russia, agrees with the Iran nuclear deal, and supports maintaining Nato. |
| Homeland Security SecretaryRetired Marine GeneralConfirmed: Yes | Homeland Security SecretaryRetired Marine GeneralConfirmed: Yes |
| Mr Kelly served almost five decades in the US Marine Corps, during which time he was responsible for all military activities in Central and SOuth American while leading the US Southern Command. Should Mr Trump decide to go through with his proposed mass deportations, massive wall, and Muslim registry, Mr Kelly would be responsible for overseeing those actions. | Mr Kelly served almost five decades in the US Marine Corps, during which time he was responsible for all military activities in Central and SOuth American while leading the US Southern Command. Should Mr Trump decide to go through with his proposed mass deportations, massive wall, and Muslim registry, Mr Kelly would be responsible for overseeing those actions. |
| During his confirmation hearing, he distanced himself from those positions. For border security, he said he supported a more “layered” approach using technology and drones – like the system already in place at the Mexican border. One the topic of Muslim registration, Mr Kelly said it was not “appropriate to focus on something like religion as the only factor” to migrate to the US. | During his confirmation hearing, he distanced himself from those positions. For border security, he said he supported a more “layered” approach using technology and drones – like the system already in place at the Mexican border. One the topic of Muslim registration, Mr Kelly said it was not “appropriate to focus on something like religion as the only factor” to migrate to the US. |
| Attorney GeneralAlabama Senator; former US attorney Confirmed: No | Attorney GeneralAlabama Senator; former US attorney Confirmed: No |
| Mr Sessions will oversee the department that rejected him for being ‘too racist’ during confirmation hearings for a federal judgeship in the 1980s. The Alabama senator supports tough measures on immigration and criminal justice. Senator Cory Booker and Congressman John Lewis testified against Mr Sessions’ appointment, saying his confirmation would be a blow to civil rights. | Mr Sessions will oversee the department that rejected him for being ‘too racist’ during confirmation hearings for a federal judgeship in the 1980s. The Alabama senator supports tough measures on immigration and criminal justice. Senator Cory Booker and Congressman John Lewis testified against Mr Sessions’ appointment, saying his confirmation would be a blow to civil rights. |
| The Alabama Republican has come under fire for comments he made about the NAACP and ACLU, calling them “un-American” that were “trying to force civil rights down the throats of people”. After the leak of footage that captured the now-President bragging about sexually assaulting women, Mr Sessions said he did not believe grabbing a woman by the genitals was sexual assault. | The Alabama Republican has come under fire for comments he made about the NAACP and ACLU, calling them “un-American” that were “trying to force civil rights down the throats of people”. After the leak of footage that captured the now-President bragging about sexually assaulting women, Mr Sessions said he did not believe grabbing a woman by the genitals was sexual assault. |
| Treasury SecretaryFormer Goldman Sachs executive; Hollywood producer Confirmed: No | Treasury SecretaryFormer Goldman Sachs executive; Hollywood producer Confirmed: No |
| Although Mr Trump campaigned on the platform of removing Wall Street influence from Washington politics, he nominated Mr Mnuchin who spent much of his career working for Goldman Sachs. During his confirmation hearing with the Senate Finance Committee, Mr Mnuchin failed to disclose $100m in assets and was interrogated over his use of offshore tax havens. | Although Mr Trump campaigned on the platform of removing Wall Street influence from Washington politics, he nominated Mr Mnuchin who spent much of his career working for Goldman Sachs. During his confirmation hearing with the Senate Finance Committee, Mr Mnuchin failed to disclose $100m in assets and was interrogated over his use of offshore tax havens. |
| Mr Mnuchin bought IndyMac Bank, renamed it to OneWest Bank, during the financial crisis in 2009. He sold the business in 2015 for twice the price of purchase. While he was at the helm of OneWest, the bank carried out some 36,000 foreclosures. The company foreclosed on a 90-year-old Florida woman for a 27-cent payment error. | Mr Mnuchin bought IndyMac Bank, renamed it to OneWest Bank, during the financial crisis in 2009. He sold the business in 2015 for twice the price of purchase. While he was at the helm of OneWest, the bank carried out some 36,000 foreclosures. The company foreclosed on a 90-year-old Florida woman for a 27-cent payment error. |
| Interior SecretaryMontana congressman; former Navy SEAL Confirmed: No | Interior SecretaryMontana congressman; former Navy SEAL Confirmed: No |
| Mr Zinke studied geology during his undergraduate studies and would be in charge of overseeing National Parks, and other land development issues. During his time in Congress, he supported public use of federal lands, but has a consistent record of voting against environmental measures in favour of coal and gas extraction. | Mr Zinke studied geology during his undergraduate studies and would be in charge of overseeing National Parks, and other land development issues. During his time in Congress, he supported public use of federal lands, but has a consistent record of voting against environmental measures in favour of coal and gas extraction. |
| Commerce SecretaryInvestor Confirmed: No | Commerce SecretaryInvestor Confirmed: No |
| Mr Ross represented Donald Trump when he found himself in financial trouble during the mismanagement of three of his failed Atlantic City casinos in the 1980s. The investor has a fortune of $2.9bn and has said that he will impose sweeping changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, and has endorsed tariffs on China. | Mr Ross represented Donald Trump when he found himself in financial trouble during the mismanagement of three of his failed Atlantic City casinos in the 1980s. The investor has a fortune of $2.9bn and has said that he will impose sweeping changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, and has endorsed tariffs on China. |
| Transportation Secretary Former Labour Secretary under George W Bush; Former Deputy Transportation Secretary under George HW Bush Confirmed: No | Transportation Secretary Former Labour Secretary under George W Bush; Former Deputy Transportation Secretary under George HW Bush Confirmed: No |
| Ms Chao will be in charge of implementing the infrastructure reforms if Mr Trump does, in fact, carry out his promise to rebuild roads and bridges. Of the appointees, Ms Chao has met the least resistance from Congress. She is among the most qualified for her role compared to the majority of the administration’s appointees. | Ms Chao will be in charge of implementing the infrastructure reforms if Mr Trump does, in fact, carry out his promise to rebuild roads and bridges. Of the appointees, Ms Chao has met the least resistance from Congress. She is among the most qualified for her role compared to the majority of the administration’s appointees. |
| Education SecretaryFormer Michigan Republican Party chair Confirmed: No | Education SecretaryFormer Michigan Republican Party chair Confirmed: No |
| Mr Trump plans to shrink the education department; and Democrats have criticised Ms Devos for apparent intent to “privatise” public schools. Ms Devos largely supports voucher programmes and charter schools. Although she has been involved in some educational activism, her efforts have largely been seen as diverting money from already existing public schools. Ms Devos’ contentious confirmation hearing was met with ridicule when she said teachers may need “a gun in the school to protect from potential grizzlies”, referring to a Wyoming elementary school. | Mr Trump plans to shrink the education department; and Democrats have criticised Ms Devos for apparent intent to “privatise” public schools. Ms Devos largely supports voucher programmes and charter schools. Although she has been involved in some educational activism, her efforts have largely been seen as diverting money from already existing public schools. Ms Devos’ contentious confirmation hearing was met with ridicule when she said teachers may need “a gun in the school to protect from potential grizzlies”, referring to a Wyoming elementary school. |
| Energy SecretaryFormer Governor of Texas Confirmed: No | Energy SecretaryFormer Governor of Texas Confirmed: No |
| The former Texas governor will be overseeing one of the departments he had previously argued to dissolve in his failed presidential bid in 2012. He will be in charge of overseeing the United States’ nuclear arsenal. A former adviser, Michael McKenna, stirred concerns when he told the New York Times that Mr Perry faces a “learning curve” upon taking the job. | The former Texas governor will be overseeing one of the departments he had previously argued to dissolve in his failed presidential bid in 2012. He will be in charge of overseeing the United States’ nuclear arsenal. A former adviser, Michael McKenna, stirred concerns when he told the New York Times that Mr Perry faces a “learning curve” upon taking the job. |
| Health and Human Services SecretaryGeorgia congressman; former orthopaedic surgeon Confirmed: No | Health and Human Services SecretaryGeorgia congressman; former orthopaedic surgeon Confirmed: No |
| Mr Price has been a central voice in the GOP movement to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He has denied that the repealment would result in 20 million losing their insurance; he still has yet to indicate any plan Republicans have to replace the law. | Mr Price has been a central voice in the GOP movement to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He has denied that the repealment would result in 20 million losing their insurance; he still has yet to indicate any plan Republicans have to replace the law. |
| Secretary of Housing and Urban DevelopmentNeurosurgeon Confirmed: No | Secretary of Housing and Urban DevelopmentNeurosurgeon Confirmed: No |
| Mr Carson, who ran for president, said that he was not qualified to run a government agency, but he still accepted Mr Trump’s nomination to oversee the nation’s affordable housing programme. He has repeatedly criticised social assistance programmes, stoking concerns of fair-housing advocates. It still remains unclear why Mr Trump chose him to run the department. | Mr Carson, who ran for president, said that he was not qualified to run a government agency, but he still accepted Mr Trump’s nomination to oversee the nation’s affordable housing programme. He has repeatedly criticised social assistance programmes, stoking concerns of fair-housing advocates. It still remains unclear why Mr Trump chose him to run the department. |
| UN Ambassador South Carolina Governor Confirmed: No | UN Ambassador South Carolina Governor Confirmed: No |
| Ms Haley has diverged from the Trump administration and admitted that Russia has committed war crimes in Syria. She has faced little resistance in her confirmation hearings. | Ms Haley has diverged from the Trump administration and admitted that Russia has committed war crimes in Syria. She has faced little resistance in her confirmation hearings. |
| EPA AdministratorOklahoma attorney general Confirmed: No | EPA AdministratorOklahoma attorney general Confirmed: No |
| Mr Trump has promised to completely dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency. Appointing Mr Pruitt, the pro-fossil fuel advocate who is suing the EPA, would be consistent with that position. Mr Pruitt, however, admitted that climate change is real despite the President’s denial of science that proves otherwise. | Mr Trump has promised to completely dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency. Appointing Mr Pruitt, the pro-fossil fuel advocate who is suing the EPA, would be consistent with that position. Mr Pruitt, however, admitted that climate change is real despite the President’s denial of science that proves otherwise. |