Podcast Summary: "Trump Loyalists Get Cabinet Prizes"
What a Day
Host: Jane Koston
Guest: Zach Beacham, Senior Correspondent for Vox
Release Date: November 12, 2024

Introduction

In the November 12, 2024 episode of What a Day, host Jane Koston delves into the burgeoning Trump administration and its potential impact on American politics and society. The episode, titled "Trump Loyalists Get Cabinet Prizes," offers an in-depth analysis of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominations and features an enlightening conversation with Zach Beacham of Vox, who provides a comparative perspective on Trump's strategies vis-à-vis Viktor Orban's authoritarian playbook in Hungary.

Trump Administration Appointments

As preparations for Trump's second term unfold, his administration begins to assemble a lineup that deeply concerns Democrats and advocates for democratic norms. Jane Koston outlines several key appointments and their implications:

• Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of Staff

  • Background: A right-wing nativist with white nationalist views, Miller was instrumental in Trump's first term, notably shaping the 2018 family separation policy at the border.
  • Confirmation: While Trump hasn’t officially announced Miller’s appointment, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance confirmed it on Twitter on Monday.
  • Quote: "[Miller] will be in charge of, quote, all deportation of illegal aliens back to their country of origin." [01:17]

• Tom Homan as Border Czar

  • Role: Former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, tasked with overseeing deportations.
  • Statement: In an interview on Fox and Friends, Homan emphasized continuing aggressive deportation policies.
  • Quote: "It's going to be the same way during the first administration, which is a..." [01:53]

• Lee Zeldin as Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  • Background: A former New York Congressman who opposed the certification of the 2020 election results.
  • U.S. Focus: Zeldin plans to prioritize business-friendly environmental policies.
  • Quote: "Through the EPA, we have the ability to pursue energy dominance..." [02:20]

• Elise Stefanik as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

  • Background: A staunch Trump impeachment defender and opponent of the 2020 election certification.
  • Confirmation: Expected to receive Senate approval swiftly due to Republican majorities.
  • Implications: Stefanik and Zeldin’s appointments reflect Trump's commitment to placing loyalists in pivotal government roles, potentially undermining Democratic norms.
  • Quote: "It's bleak, but it's also pretty in line with what Trump promised..." [02:35]

Conversation with Zach Beacham: Democracy Under Threat

Jane Koston welcomes Zach Beacham to discuss the implications of Trump's cabinet choices and broader strategies that may erode democratic institutions in the United States.

Trump’s Enhanced Organizational Prowess

Beacham argues that Trump’s second term poses a more significant threat than his first due to his heightened organizational capabilities and clear vision to dismantle liberal institutions.

• Quote: "I just think it's going to be a lot worse than it was last time." [03:46]
• Schedule F: A pivotal executive order previously attempted by Trump to reclassify a segment of the civil service, allowing easier dismissal of federal employees. Beacham anticipates its reimplementation to consolidate control.
  • Quote: "He's going to reimplement Schedule F... to go through the entirety of the American political system to try to bend the thing to his will." [04:03]

Comparative Analysis: Trump and Viktor Orban

The discussion transitions to Viktor Orban’s transformation of Hungary into an autocracy, drawing parallels to potential strategies in the U.S.

• Orban’s Tactics: Upon gaining power in 2010, Orban leveraged a significant parliamentary majority to rewrite the constitution, secure key government positions for loyalists, and suppress opposition through subtle yet repressive measures.

  • Quote: "He has broken his domestic political opposition... seized control of universities, the media says what he wants it to say." [05:07]

• American Context: While the U.S. federal system differs from Hungary’s, Trump’s appointment strategies mirror Orban’s methods by placing loyalists in critical roles, potentially undermining checks and balances.

  • Quote: "There's a whole smorgasbord of policies here... How far is Trump and the people he appoints willing to go if they really want to sort of follow the Orbanist playbook?" [10:00]

Resistance and Optimism

Despite the grim outlook, Beacham offers a note of optimism, emphasizing that awareness and organized resistance can mitigate authoritarian tendencies.

• Hope Factors: Lessons from Poland and Brazil demonstrate that democratic institutions can withstand and counteract authoritarian attempts.
  • Quote: "There's lessons to learn from now and there's a deeper understanding of what the nature of the threat is..." [12:00]

Climate Policy and COP 29

The episode transitions to international climate policy, highlighting the tension between the incoming Trump administration and global climate initiatives.

• Trump’s Stance: President-elect Trump has reiterated his skepticism of climate change, dismissing it as a "hoax" and threatening to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement once more.

• John Podesta’s Response: As Biden's lead advisor for international climate policy, Podesta addressed delegates at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, emphasizing the inevitability of continuing climate action despite Trump's stance.

  • Quote: "Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable. This is not the end of our fight for a cleaner, safer planet. Facts are still facts." [17:14]

• Implications for COP 29: The conference faces challenges as delegates grapple with diminished U.S. commitment and the pressing need to move away from fossil fuels.

Veterans Day and Honoring Harriet Tubman

In observance of Veterans Day, significant announcements and honors were made:

• Presidential Remarks: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attended ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, with Biden delivering an emotional tribute to veterans and announcing expansions in the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover cancers linked to toxic exposures.

• Harriet Tubman’s Posthumous Honor: Tubman was named a one-star Brigadier General in the Maryland National Guard, recognizing her historical contributions as a scout, spy, and leader during the Civil War.

  • Quote by General Jeanine L. Burkhead: "She was able to go behind enemy lines, get information to free hundreds of people during raids at Coma. All of those things were seminal in our nation's history to lead us where we are today." [20:20]

Critique of "Drain the Swamp"

Jane Koston critically examines Trump's long-promised "drain the swamp" initiative, highlighting the irony and hypocrisy in his administration's actions.

• Irony of the Swamp: Contrary to Trump's claims of eliminating Washington's corruption, his administration appointed numerous lobbyists and continued to bolster big business interests.

  • Examples Provided:
    • Susie Wiles, former campaign manager, previously lobbied for the tobacco industry.
    • Kellyanne Conway and others advocated for platforms like TikTok, aligning with corporate interests.

• Billionaires’ Gains: The episode details how billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have significantly increased their wealth post-election, undermining Trump's narrative of supporting working-class Americans.

  • Quote: "What Trump is doing is making rich people richer. That's it." [25:32]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a sobering reflection on the incoming Trump administration’s potential to reshape American governance and societal norms. Through strategic appointments and policy initiatives reminiscent of authoritarian playbooks, there is a clear threat to democratic institutions. However, the conversation with Zach Beacham underscores that vigilance and organized resistance can preserve democratic values.

What a Day continues to provide its audience with critical insights and thorough analyses, ensuring listeners are well-informed about the pressing issues shaping today's world.

Notable Quotes:

• Jane Koston [01:17]: "Homan will be in charge of, quote, all deportation of illegal aliens back to their country of origin."
• Zach Beacham [03:46]: "I just think it's going to be a lot worse than it was last time."
• Zach Beacham [09:27]: "Like, that's how he did it. He crushed the left by crushing them more subtly than sending troops into their houses."
• Zach Beacham [12:00]: "There's lessons to learn from now and there's a deeper understanding of what the nature of the threat is..."
• Jane Koston [17:14]: "Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable. This is not the end of our fight for a cleaner, safer planet."
• Zach Beacham [25:32]: "What Trump is doing is making rich people richer. That's it."
• General Jeanine L. Burkhead [20:20]: "She was able to go behind enemy lines, get information to free hundreds of people during raids at Coma..."

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the substantive discussions and insights presented in the episode.