Apple News Today: Trump Starts to Fill His Cabinet. Who’s in It?
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Host: Sumita Basu
Trump’s Initial Cabinet Appointments
One week after his election victory, President-elect Donald Trump has begun selecting key members for his incoming Cabinet. Susie Wiles, his campaign manager, has been appointed as Chief of Staff, with Stephen Miller slated to serve as her deputy. Miller, a prominent advisor on immigration during Trump’s previous term, is expected to influence the administration’s immigration policies significantly.
Vivian Salama, a national politics reporter at the Wall Street Journal, highlights the strategic nature of these appointments. At [01:08], Salama explains:
“She’s a very low key person, very unassuming and shy. She’s an older woman, a grandmother who often talks about her grandkids... she gives Trump what he needs—straight talk and tough love.”
Trump has also nominated Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador and Lee Zeldin to oversee the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Furthermore, Tom Homan, the former ICE Director known for implementing the zero-tolerance border policy that resulted in over 5,000 child separations, is nominated to return as the “Border Czar”. Homan’s role will focus on executing Trump’s agenda for mass deportations, a move that has raised concerns among human rights organizations.
Exclusion of Certain Republicans
Trump has explicitly stated he will exclude figures like Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley from his Cabinet. Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State and CIA Director under Trump, and Haley, the former UN Ambassador and a key Republican contender, have both criticized Trump in the past. Salama notes that Trump's transition team is prioritizing loyalty over bipartisan appeal:
“They want appointments faithful to Trump and not what they have called fake Republicans.” [02:57]
This approach is echoed by Don Jr., Trump’s son and honorary co-chair of the transition team, who emphasized the need to "weed out the fake R's from the real R's" to ensure loyalty to the President’s vision.
Potential High-Profile Appointments
Speculation surrounds possible roles for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk within Trump’s administration. Kennedy is rumored to receive a significant health-related position, while Musk, who has been actively advising Trump on spending cuts and government efficiency, could play an advisory role regardless of other appointments. The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump’s transition team is better prepared this time, anticipating smoother confirmation processes due to a Republican-controlled Senate.
Global Climate Leadership and COP 29
Meanwhile, global climate leaders at COP 29 in Azerbaijan are grappling with the uncertainty of the US’s commitment to climate initiatives under a Trump administration. Jake Biddle, a Grist staff writer present at the summit, underscores the critical role of the US:
“The US is the largest economy in the world and the second largest emitter... if the United States pulls out of the Paris Agreement, it's probably impossible for the world's countries to achieve the one point degree Celsius goal.” [04:28]
Trump’s previous withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and his campaign’s indication of re-withdrawing raise significant concerns. Compounding these issues are political instabilities in Germany, Japan, and Canada, alongside persistent global inflation that diverts attention and resources from climate action.
Negotiators at COP 29 are tasked with determining financial contributions from wealthier nations to support poorer countries in climate adaptation and decarbonization. Key debates include the allocation of funds through loans versus grants, disaster response versus mitigation efforts, and the participation of major emitters like China and Saudi Arabia. Biddle notes the fragile nature of these negotiations, especially with Trump assuming office in January, potentially reversing Biden’s commitments.
Biden’s Efforts to Protect His Legacy
As Trump prepares to take office, the Biden administration is actively working to safeguard its legislative achievements. Betsy Klein, a CNN White House reporter, explains:
“The Biden administration... is concerned about preserving... laws that put trillions of dollars of funding and federal resources toward rebuilding infrastructure, protections for the environment, expanding clean tech, and ramping up domestic chip production.” [08:45]
Klein anticipates that while Trump may attempt to repeal initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act, many Republicans may hesitate due to the Act’s benefits in their constituencies, such as investments in EV factories and renewable energy projects.
On foreign policy, the Biden administration is expediting billions in aid to Ukraine, aware that Trump has been critical of such support. Additionally, efforts to protect federal employees from political firings—established earlier by Biden—may face challenges under Trump, though the existing protections provide some security for these workers.
Judicial and Historical Honors
In other news, a New York judge is set to decide on the overturning of Trump’s criminal conviction related to falsifying business records for hush money payments. The judge’s decision, initially scheduled for September, was postponed to avoid influencing the election. Legal experts suggest that even if upheld, it’s unlikely to impede Trump’s inauguration.
In a historic recognition, Harriet Tubman has been posthumously promoted to brigadier general in Maryland’s Army National Guard. Tubman, renowned for her role in the Underground Railroad and her contributions as a Union spy, scout, nurse, and cook during the Civil War, is now officially acknowledged for her military service. Grist staff writer Jake Biddle remarks:
“General Tumming... deserves a star on her shoulder the whole time.” [11:57]
Animal Rights and Escaped Monkeys in South Carolina
A peculiar incident in South Carolina involved the escape of 43 monkeys from a research laboratory. Although half have been recaptured, concerns remain about the remaining monkeys, which are relatively small and deemed not a public threat. Experts in animal law, as discussed in a Vox article, debate the legal rights of these animals, suggesting that escaped monkeys should be relocated to sanctuaries to ensure their freedom. This incident contributes to the ongoing societal reevaluation of how animals are governed, paralleling the rethinking of zoos and circuses and the cessation of chimpanzee research in the U.S.
Upcoming Narratives and Stories
Listeners are encouraged to explore more stories within the Apple News app, including a narrated article from New York Magazine examining how climate activists are using provocative tactics to polarize public opinion on environmental issues. To stay updated, users can follow Apple News Plus Narrated in their podcast app.
This episode of Apple News Today provides an in-depth analysis of President-elect Donald Trump’s initial Cabinet appointments, the potential implications for US domestic and foreign policies, especially regarding climate change, and the Biden administration's efforts to preserve its legacy. Additionally, the podcast covers significant judicial decisions, historical honors, and intriguing animal rights discussions, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of current events shaping the political and social landscape.