As he fills his new administration, Trump values loyalty above all else
CTV
Donald Trump spent much of his first term feeling stung and betrayed by those he'd placed in power. This time, he's not taking chances.
Donald Trump spent much of his first term feeling stung and betrayed by those he'd placed in power. This time, he's not taking chances.
As he works to fill his administration a second time, Trump has turned to a head-spinning mix of candidates. Many of those he's chosen are personal friends. Others are familiar faces on Fox News Channel or other conservative outlets. Some have extensive experience in the areas they've been chosen to lead, while others have seemingly none. Some seem chosen to shock and awe, some to reassure, others to unleash chaos.
Recent converts to his cause are lined up shoulder to shoulder with longtime allies. China hawks could serve in positions of power alongside a peace activist. But whatever the differences in ideology or strength of resume, above all, they will be there to carry out Trump's will.
In his first term, Trump grated at efforts by aides and advisers to "manage" the newcomer to Washington and grew frustrated by the leaks that emanated from rival factions engaged in ideological warfare and competing for his ear.
Now, aides and allies said, he's putting loyalty above all else, aiming to cut down on the infighting and maximize his ability to reshape Washington during his second tour in the Oval Office.
"When he was elected the first time," Trump "didn't have that kind of wealth of experience in D.C. or the relationships with people in Washington," said Marc Lotter, a former aide who now works at America First Policy Institute, which is closely tied to his transition. "So many people he turned to were trying to take advantage of that to get him to their view, rather than fulfilling what was his view and what he was elected to do."
Now, Lotter said of Trump, "if he makes a decision, he wants them to execute on it."
