Trump’s nominees indicate betrayal of our democracy

Dec 13, 2024

Dr. Rashad Richey National TV Political Analyst, Talk Radio Host, Univ. Prof.

By Straight Arrow News

Since President-elect Trump began announcing his administration and cabinet picks for his second term, much has been made of their collective lack of relevant experience, unwavering personal loyalty to Donald Trump and immense wealth. The net worth of Trump’s proposed cabinet, which does not include Elon Musk or Vivek Ramaswamy, is estimated to top $13 billion, whereas Biden’s current cabinet’s net worth is only $118 million. Confirmation hearings are set to take place at the beginning of Jan. 2025, when the new Congress begins.

Watch the video above as Straight Arrow News contributor Dr. Rashad Richey argues that Trump’s picks suggest his approach to governing prioritizes empowering oligarchs over engaging the people in the democratic process.

Be the first to know when Dr. Rashad Richey publishes a new opinion every Friday!

Download the Straight Arrow News app and follow Rashad to receive push notifications.

The following is an excerpt from the above video:

Now, with all of these appointments, either being wealthy and made major contributions or being individuals who do not, will not, and cannot challenge the incoming president of the United States, Donald Trump, do you believe that you win in that scenario?

You see, sometimes leadership requires challenge. Leadership is not always about who you are able to motivate. Sometimes leadership is about who you are willing to offend when required. Here’s what we know for a fact: If you’re not rich and if you don’t have this unchecked loyalty to Donald Trump, you’re not his friend.

This is how the oligarchy takes control. This is how democracy becomes less of a democracy. This is how a country starts to show its true colors. In that equation, you and I become less of a factor in the overall process of our policies, and that is the scary part.

Yeah, okay. Is it time to have a serious conversation about qualifications? I remember during the previous election where Republicans, in particular, Maga, they made a big deal about the qualifications of one Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, former US senator, former Attorney General, State of California, et cetera, et cetera. But now Trump is appointing individuals, at least echoing these appointments publicly that he’s going to appoint people who are completely, completely not qualified to do the job. You have individuals who have no idea how to run an educational department being named as Trump’s pick for the Department of Education, and the list goes on and on and on. So what do you have here? What’s the common thread? There’s two. Actually. One common thread is that these individuals are either a rich and they contributed a lot of money to Trump’s campaign, or be really, really loyal to Donald Trump as a cult leader, basically, and would do whatever he says. Now there’s conversations about, should Biden pardon Trump, because it would speak to some level of unity within the political ranks. Hell no, he should not pardon Trump. One, Trump doesn’t need it. Okay, Trump will be in charge of the Department of Justice, period. They can just drop the case. Number two, he likely was simply pardon himself. If that wasn’t doable with the DOJ, which, by the way, I’m sure they would do it for him, and he’s the kind of President, when he gets into office, he’s going to not simply push, not simply pull, but shred the separations of power as it relates to the United States of America. Now, with all of these appointments, either being wealthy and made major contributions or being individuals who do not will not and cannot challenge the incoming president of the United States, Donald Trump, do you believe that you win in that scenario? You see sometimes leadership requires challenge. Leadership is not always about who you are able to motivate. Sometimes leadership is about who you are willing to offend when required. Here’s what we know for a fact, if you’re not rich and if you don’t have this UN checked loyalty to Donald Trump, you’re not his friend. This is how the oligarchy take control. This is how democracy becomes less of a democracy. This is how a country starts to show its true colors. In that equation, you and I become less of a factor in the overall process of our policies, and that is the scary part