Behind the Bastards: It Could Happen Here Weekly 157 – A Detailed Summary
Release Date: November 24, 2024
Introduction
In episode 157 of Behind the Bastards, hosts Simone Boyce, James Stout, and Carl Cassarda delve into President Donald Trump's latest cabinet nominations for his anticipated administration. This episode, titled "It Could Happen Here," provides a critical examination of Trump's picks, highlighting their backgrounds, ideologies, and potential implications for the United States.
Trump’s Cabinet Picks: An Overview
Simone Boyce opens the discussion by addressing the controversial and unconventional nature of Trump's nominees. She emphasizes the "wacky" selections, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) for Health and Human Services and Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, setting the tone for a deep dive into each nominee's qualifications and controversies.
Mark Rubio as Secretary of State
The episode kicks off with Mark Rubio's nomination as Secretary of State, a seemingly restrained choice amid Trump's otherwise unorthodox picks. However, Rubio's past criticisms of Trump and his hawkish stance on China signal potential friction within the administration.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (04:31): “RFK will get his own future episode. But it's pretty safe to assume that RFK in control of Health and Human Services is pretty bad.”
Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense
Next, Pete Hegseth's nomination as Secretary of Defense raises immediate concerns. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard member and Fox News host, is criticized for his anti-vaccine stance and controversial tattoos symbolizing Christian nationalism.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (09:15): “He's advocated against divorce for families with kids until he was caught cheating on his second wife... He's just very chud coded.”
Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security
Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, is nominated for Secretary of Homeland Security despite lacking direct experience in law enforcement or the DHS. Her past actions, such as deploying the National Guard to the border with private financing, are scrutinized.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (12:44): “She wrote about it in her own fucking book, girl.”
Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence
The nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence is met with skepticism due to her lack of intelligence background and alleged pro-Assad sentiments. Her history of spreading Russian disinformation and conspiracy theories raises alarms about her suitability for overseeing critical intelligence agencies.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (15:44): “She's an anti vaccine conspiracy theorist with a history of spreading Russian disinformation propaganda during the invasion of Ukraine.”
Matt Gaetz as Attorney General
Matt Gaetz's potential appointment as Attorney General is particularly contentious. Facing allegations of sex trafficking and ethical violations, Gaetz's confirmation process is fraught with controversy. The discussion highlights the potential for Gaetz to lead the DOJ in a manner aligned with QAnon ideologies, emphasizing political revenge over justice.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (20:54): “The end goal of the QAnon movement is just putting a pedophile in charge of the DOJ.”
John Ratcliffe as CIA Director
John Ratcliffe’s nomination revisits his brief tenure as Director of National Intelligence under Trump, emphasizing his loyalty to the former president. While more conventional than some nominees, his past role in defending Trump during impeachment adds complexity to his suitability.
Lee Zeldin as EPA Adviser
Lee Zeldin, a former congressman with no environmental background, is nominated as EPA adviser. His voting record against EPA initiatives and support for deregulation suggest a significant rollback of environmental protections under his guidance.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (13:00): “He votes to cut EPA funding... Ska point to like, more negative progress in the next four years.”
Tom Homan as Border Czar
Tom Homan, former ICE director, is appointed as the new border czar. Known for implementing the family separation policy, Homan’s expertise in aggressive immigration enforcement highlights a continuation of stringent border policies.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (15:44): “He was effective at getting that shit done... which is concerning.”
Elise Stefanik as Ambassador to the UN
Elise Stefanik’s nomination as Ambassador to the UN underscores her strong pro-Israel stance and opposition to UN programs perceived as anti-Semitic. Her lack of diplomatic experience raises questions about her ability to effectively represent the U.S. on the international stage.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (32:47): “She’s going to be the UN Ambassador... has demonstrated fierce loyalty to Trump.”
Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel
Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and Evangelical Christian Zionist, is nominated as Ambassador to Israel. His extremist views, including opposition to a two-state solution and support for Israel’s annexation of the West Bank, signal a hardline approach to Middle Eastern policy.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (34:21): “He legitimately believes in a religious political ideology to return all Jewish people to the holy land of Israel to trigger the biblical apocalypse.”
Steve Witkoff as Middle East Envoy
Steve Witkoff, a Trump fundraiser and real estate developer with no foreign policy experience, is appointed as Middle East Envoy. His lack of expertise and business background suggest a diplomatic approach focused on personal interests rather than strategic policy.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy Leading the DOGE Department
In a surprising and unconventional move, President Trump appoints Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This new agency aims to dismantle government bureaucracy but is met with skepticism regarding its feasibility and actual effectiveness.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (37:44): “Trump just can't create one out of thin air... and it's going with their little fun.”
Linda McMahon as Co-Chair of Trump’s Transition Team
Linda McMahon, former WWE CEO, serves as co-chair of Trump’s transition team. Despite her lack of political qualifications and ongoing lawsuits related to sex trafficking allegations, McMahon's role signifies the administration's willingness to overlook personal misconduct for loyalty.
- Quote: Simone Boyce (46:43): “Her appointment is evidence of Trump's centralizing power...”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary
Although RFK Jr. is slated for his own episode due to the extensive controversies surrounding him, his tentative nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services is briefly touched upon. His anti-vaccine stance and conspiracy theorist background threaten to undermine public health initiatives.
- Quote: Robert Evans (89:06): “We've just put probably the US's most famous anti-vaxxer in charge of all of these organizations.”
Notable Quotes and Key Points
Throughout the episode, several critical statements underscore the hosts’ concerns:
- Simone Boyce (09:15): “He’s just a guy that Trump sees on TV. This is just a TV host.”
- Carl Cassarda (14:53): “Miller is scary because he's actually very effective...”
- Simone Boyce (20:54): “The end goal of the QAnon movement is just putting a pedophile in charge of the DOJ.”
- Simone Boyce (34:21): “He legitimately believes in a religious political ideology to return all Jewish people to the holy land of Israel to trigger the biblical apocalypse.”
Analysis and Conclusions
The hosts collectively argue that Trump's cabinet picks reflect a strategy to centralize power within his administration while surrounding himself with loyalists who lack the necessary qualifications. This approach not only undermines institutional integrity but also paves the way for policies driven by extremist ideologies rather than expertise and effectiveness.
The nomination of figures like RFK Jr. and Matt Gaetz signals a potential rollback of public health measures and a politicization of the Department of Justice, respectively. Additionally, the unconventional appointment of Elon Musk to lead DOGE raises questions about the administration’s commitment to functional governance.
Closing Remarks
Behind the Bastards episode 157 serves as a stark warning about the possible consequences of Trump's cabinet selections. The discussion emphasizes the risks of prioritizing loyalty over competence, highlighting how such decisions can lead to dysfunctional governance and the perpetuation of harmful ideologies.
As the episode concludes, the hosts express concern over the future direction of the U.S. government under this administration, urging listeners to remain vigilant and critical of the evolving political landscape.
Key Takeaways:
- Centralization of Power: Trump's nominations aim to consolidate authority, reducing departmental autonomy and increasing White House control.
- Loyalty Over Competence: Appointees like Rubio, Gaetz, and Gabbard, despite controversies, highlight a preference for loyalty over expertise.
- Extreme Ideologies: Nominees' extremist views, especially regarding immigration, public health, and international relations, pose significant risks to policy effectiveness and societal well-being.
- Unconventional Appointments: The creation of DOGE and the inclusion of business figures like Musk indicate a departure from traditional governance structures.
- Long-term Implications: The administration’s choices may lead to significant policy shifts, undermining public institutions and promoting divisive ideologies.
This episode underscores the importance of scrutinizing political appointments and understanding their potential impact on national and international policies.
Notable Time-Stamped Quotes:
- Simone Boyce (04:31): “RFK will get his own future episode. But it's pretty safe to assume that RFK in control of Health and Human Services is pretty bad.”
- Simone Boyce (09:15): “He's advocated against divorce for families with kids until he was caught cheating on his second wife... He's just very chud coded.”
- Simone Boyce (15:44): “She's an anti vaccine conspiracy theorist with a history of spreading Russian disinformation propaganda during the invasion of Ukraine.”
- Simone Boyce (20:54): “The end goal of the QAnon movement is just putting a pedophile in charge of the DOJ.”
- Simone Boyce (34:21): “He legitimately believes in a religious political ideology to return all Jewish people to the holy land of Israel to trigger the biblical apocalypse.”
Conclusion
Episode 157 of Behind the Bastards offers a comprehensive and critical analysis of Trump's cabinet nominations, highlighting the dangers of prioritizing political loyalty over professional qualifications. Through incisive discussion and notable quotes, the hosts illuminate the potential threats these appointments pose to effective governance and societal stability.