Federal government taking shape for next year

This week, the federal government has begun to shape itself for next January, and at least the next two years. President-elect Donald J. Trump will have half a loaf. But that half loaf has already brought positive changes, in the United States and throughout the world. Furthermore, the American people must realize that they really do get the government for which they vote. That applies equally to the composition of Congress – especially the Senate – as to the identity of the President.

The other federal institutions

Per the Daily Wire Election Hub, Republicans will command the Senate and the House of Representatives. Republicans will definitely hold 52 seats and might have 53. Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) refuses to concede his race. But every outlet except Decision Desk has called it for his opponent, David McCormick. Marc Elias apparently is trying to force a recount, with 28,000 votes (0.4 percent) separating McCormick and Casey. But most rate his chances either of getting the recount or of finding enough votes to reelect Casey, vanishingly small. Sen. Charles M. Schumer (D-N.Y.), future Minority Leader, relented today and let Mr. McCormick attend orientation for new Senators-elect.

Speaking of leadership, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) became Republican Floor Leader today, in a secret vote. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who had sought the post, received only 13 votes on the first ballot. The other candidate, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), received 24 votes on second round; Thune received 29.

The Senate Conference chose the following other Senators for its leadership:

• John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Whip
• Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chair of the Republican Conference
• Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chair of the Republican Policy Conference
• James Lankford (R-Okla.), Vice-Chair of the Republican Conference
• Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (the campaign arm).

Republicans will hold at least 219 House seats. Five more seats remain to decide. Of these, Republicans lead in the Alaska At-large race and two California races; Democrats lead in two more California races.

At the Supreme Court

Shortly after the calling of the election for President-elect Trump, several Democrats called on Justice Sonia Sotomayor to resign. Justice Sotomayor suffers from diabetes – presumably Type Two, easier to control. Democrats clearly fear that she might die during Trump’s term, allowing him to reduce the Liberal Bloc yet again after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died during Trump’s first term. Democrats had hoped to give President Joe Biden one more chance to shore up the Liberal Bloc.

No joy. First, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) definitely said the Senate wouldn’t allow it.

This is not happening. No way, no how. The Senate will not confirm any last-minute Dem Supreme Court nominee between now and January. The next SCOTUS justice will be nominated by Donald J. Trump. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)

This is not happening. No way, no how. The Senate will not confirm any last-minute Dem Supreme Court nominee between now and January. The next SCOTUS justice will be nominated by Donald J. Trump https://t.co/pHjsKaVCb3— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) November 8, 2024

Second, the Justice has definitely refused. Sources – maybe her clerks – say she “has no plans to retire from the Supreme Court.”

Sonia Sotomayor is not the senior member of Court. Two Justices – Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito – are older than she and have served longer. True, Justice Thomas is not nearly at the level of admitted decrepitude of his predecessor, Thurgood Marshall.

I’m old! I’m falling apart! Justice Thurgood Marshall, announcing his retirement

Nevertheless he has served 33 years, longer than any of his colleagues. Moreover, he would like to retire, if the sitting President would appoint someone who shares his judicial philosophy. Justice Alito might feel the same way. But few people are talking about that now.

The second Trump administration

The past few days have also seen rapid-fire developments concerning the shape of the second Trump administration. Next year will also see the most special elections of Senators and Representatives in recent memory. This could be dangerous, if Reps. John Duarte and Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) and Nick Begich III (R-Alaska) fail to win or keep their seats. That Trump would take so many chances, reflects supreme confidence – and certainty that his nominees are the right ones for their respective jobs.

Concerning the diplomatic, intelligence, and defense apparatus, Trump announced his appointment of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as Secretary of State. Of course, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) can immediately appoint an Interim Senator. But State governors are not allowed to appoint Interim Representatives. Instead they must call special elections to fill vacant House seats.

Trump’s appointments, from the House to his administration, include:

• Michael Walz (R-Fla.) as National Security Adviser to the President,
• Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as Ambassador to the United Nations,
• Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and just in today:
• Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as Attorney General.

That would cut the Republican contingent in the House to 215, and the number needed for a majority to 216. If Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) keeps her seat by reason of Alaska’s Ranked Choice Voting regimen, and Californians John Duarte and Michelle Steel both lose, Democrats pick up the House. Otherwise, Republicans keep the House until special elections return “fresh” Republicans – as they surely would, because those seats are “safe.”

Other executive federal appointments

Trump began the weekend by announcing two persons who would not receive appointments in his administration. They were former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Other appointments he has made, other than from the House and Senate, include:

• Tom Homan, former Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as Border Czar,
• Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) as Secretary of Homeland Security,
• Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) as Ambassador to Israel,
• John Ratcliffe, former Director of National Intelligence, as Director of Central Intelligence (i.e., head of the CIA),
• Fox News host (and Army veteran) Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, and
• Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) (and former Democrat, now turned Republican) as incoming Director of National Intelligence.

Trump also announced a dual appointment. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will jointly head a new Department of Government Efficiency. Doubtless at Musk’s request, Trump chose the name for its acronym: DOGE, from the name of a cryptocurrency Musk sponsors. This Department apparently will be temporary, and Trump set a deadline for its mission: July 4, 2026.

A rumor circulated earlier today that Trump had appointed Tucker Carlson as his White House Press Secretary. But no such announcement appeared on Truth Social or from either Tucker Carlson’s or Donald Trump’s X account. This post, from the head of American Conservative Magazine, denounced the rumor.

Am told this statement circulating around online saying Tucker Carlson is White House Press Secretary is FAKE… likely adding to the confusion is that his network did send out a playful, but boilerplate message with that subject line last night…

Am told this statement circulating around online saying Tucker Carlson is White House Press Secretary is FAKE… likely adding to the confusion is that his network did send out a playful, but boilerplate message with that subject line last night… pic.twitter.com/wxXraG0tvo— Curt Mills (@CurtMills) November 13, 2024

Summary

The President-elect also announced more White House staff appointments. Last week, of course, he appointed his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as White House Chief of Staff. That makes her the first woman ever to hold that position. Today he announced more senior staff appointments:

• Dan Scavino as Deputy Chief of Staff,
• Stephen Miller (of America First Legal) as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, and Homeland Security Adviser,
• James Blair as Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs, and
• Taylor Budowich as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel.

All four worked on Trump’s campaign.

The carping at some of these appointments, particularly at Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, underscores their importance. More to the point, with this team, Trump will return the federal government to fulfilling its Article IV Section 4 obligations to the States. In addition, Rubio and Waltz’ appointments seem to send a signal to China that Trump means business.

Not everything satisfies Trump supporters today. They much preferred to have Rick Scott as Senate Majority Leader. But that aside, Trump’s appointments already promise a federal government friendly to its people, and not threatening.