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You're Hired: Tracking the Trump Administration Transition - January 12, 2017
Trump Administration (first term)  Vice President Mike Pence Cabinet • White House staff • Transition team • Trump's second term |
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This is the January 12, 2017, edition of an email sent from November 2016 to September 2017 that covered Donald Trump's presidential transition, cabinet appointees, and the different policy positions of those individuals who may have had an effect on the new administration. Previous editions of "You're Hired" can be found here.
It’s been a busy news week so far, and the dust still has yet to settle. In the past two briefings, we covered Senate confirmation hearings for Sen. Jeff Sessions (Trump’s attorney general pick) and retired General John Kelly (Trump’s homeland security pick), Jared Kushner’s appointment as a senior adviser to the president, and David Shulkin’s nomination for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this edition of You’re Hired, we start by diving into the details of yesterday’s Senate confirmation hearings with a focus on what we learned about the policy stances of Trump’s cabinet nominees. We also provide a brief overview of the three hearings taking place today. We’ll dissect those in more detail in tomorrow’s edition.
Yesterday’s hearings
Rex Tillerson, nominee for Secretary of State
Yesterday, Rex Tillerson, the former chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. That committee has 21 members, with 10 Democrats and 11 Republicans, one of whom—Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida)—would not publicly commit to voting in favor of Tillerson after the hearing.
We wrote about Tillerson’s policy stances way back in November, when rumors first began to surface that he would be Trump’s pick to lead the State Department. He has voiced support for international trade deals and policies such as a carbon tax. Also, in 2014, he opposed sanctions against Russia, with whose president, Vladimir Putin, Tillerson reportedly has a close relationship. His stance on Russia was a frequent topic of discussion in the Senate hearing. Here’s some of what we learned about Tillerson yesterday. Watch the full hearing here.
- Climate change. When asked to share his personal views on climate change, Tillerson said, “I came to the conclusion a few years ago that the risk of climate change does exist and that the consequences of it could be serious enough that action should be taken. The type of action seems to be where the largest areas of debate exist in the public discourse. I think it’s important to recognize that the U.S. has done a pretty good job.” Corker then asked if Tillerson believed that human activity is contributing to climate change, to which Tillerson responded, “The increase in greenhouse gas in the atmosphere is having an effect. Our ability to predict that effect is very limited.”
- On a temporary ban on Muslims from entering the country. During the 2016 campaign, Trump proposed a temporary ban on Muslims from entering the U.S. as well as more stringent vetting practices for individuals from countries with a history of terrorism. When asked if he would support restrictions on Muslims entering the country, he said, “I think what's important is that we are able to make a judgment about the people that are coming into the country and so no, I do not support a blanket type rejection of any particular group of people, but clearly, we have serious challenges.”
- On Cuba. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) asked Tillerson if he would advise the president to veto a bill passed by Congress removing the U.S. embargo against Cuba, without democratic changes having taken place in the country. Tillerson said that he would. He added that he expects the incoming administration will take a comprehensive review of all of President Obama’s executive orders in regards to Cuba and said, “I would want to examine carefully the criteria under which Cuba was delisted from the list of terrorist nations that support terrorism, and whether or not the delisting was appropriate.” He also mentioned Cuba in his opening statement, saying, “Our recent engagement with the government of Cuba was not accompanied by any significant concessions on human rights. We have not held them accountable for their conduct. Their leaders received much, while their people received little. That serves neither the interest of Cubans or Americans.”
- Cybersecurity. In a larger discussion about Russia, Rubio asked Tillerson if he would support sanctions against a country in reaction to cyberattacks on the U.S. Tillerson responded, “I would certainly want to examine all the four corners of that. … The threat of cyberattacks is a broad issue and they are coming from many, many corners of the world. Certainly this most recent manifestation, and I think the new threat imposed, in terms of how Russia has used this as a tool that introduces even another element of threat, but cyberattacks are occurring from many nations.” Rubio interjected, saying, “No matter where they come from, if they come from Belgium, if they come from France, if someone is conducting cyberattacks against the United States and we pass a law that authorizes the president to sanction them, or actually imposes these sanctions as mandatory, would you advise the president to sign it?” Tillerson said, “I think it is that second element, senator, that you just described that leaves the executive branch no latitude or flexibility in dealing with the broad array of cyber threats. I think it is important that those be dealt with on a country-by-country basis taking all other elements in the relationship. So giving the executive the tool is one thing, requiring the executive to use it without any other considerations I would have concerns about.”
- On Russian President Vladimir Putin. When asked by Rubio of Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, Tillerson responded, “I would not use that term.” When pressed further on the issue, he added, “Those are very, very serious charges to make and I would want to have much more information before reaching a conclusion.”
- On U.S.-Russian relations. In commenting more broadly on U.S.-Russian relations, Tillerson stated, “I think the important conversation that we have to have with them is does Russia want to now and forever be an adversary of the [sic] United States. Do you want this to get worse or does desire a different relationship? We are not likely ever to be friends. I think as others noted, our value systems are starkly different. … But I also know the Russian people. ... There is scope to define a different relationship that can bring down the temperature about the conflicts we have today. … Dialogue is critical so that these things do not spin out of control.”
- On international trade. When asked if he shares Trump’s opposition to trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Tillerson said, “I do not oppose TPP. I share some of his views regarding whether the agreement that was negotiated serves all of America’s interests the best.”
Elaine Chao, nominee for Secretary of Transportation
Elaine Chao appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation yesterday afternoon. Chao served as the secretary of the Labor Department under George W. Bush and as deputy secretary of transportation under George H. W. Bush. She is the spouse of Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky). As we wrote back in November, Chao, if confirmed, will likely play a role in overseeing and shepherding through Congress a $1 trillion infrastructure plan that Trump has stated he plans to make a priority of his administration. Two key discussion points in yesterday’s hearing included how to fund infrastructure projects and the possible privatization of air traffic control operations at U.S. airports.
- On funding a major infrastructure plan. Chao emphasized the importance of the administration working closely with Congress on developing an infrastructure plan. She said, “As the infrastructure proposal is being put together, we will certainly be in great discussion with the Congress, because, once again, we can’t do it on our own.” She added that, while federal spending would likely be included in a potential infrastructure plan, “The government does not have the resources to address all the infrastructure needs within our country.” Chao noted that additional capital may come from public-private partnerships such as “equity firms, pension funds and endowments” and said that the country should “unleash the potential for private investment in our nation's infrastructure.”
- On privatizing air traffic control. Some Republican members of Congress have proposed privatizing air traffic control operations throughout the country, which currently fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration. Supporters of the plan have said that it would help modernize air traffic control operations and make them more efficient. Critics, on the other hand, have said it could make air travel less safe and offers few-to-no improvements over the current system. When asked about her stance on the issue, Chao said, “Obviously this is an issue of great importance, it’s a huge issue that needs to have a national consensus. For that national consensus to occur there needs to be a dialogue. The administration has not made a decision on this point.” She added, “I am open to all ideas” and “I am cognizant of those who are in favor it. I am cognizant of those who have safety concerns.”
Today’s hearings
Ben Carson, nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Retired neurosurgeon and former 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson appeared before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Carson’s stances on housing policies are not well known. He has, however, criticized housing policy under the Obama administration. In July 2015, he wrote about a HUD rule that laid out guidelines for communities to use to ensure their compliance with the Fair Housing Act of 1968. He said, “These government-engineered attempts to legislate racial equality create consequences that often make matters worse.” The Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee has 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats and is chaired by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). The highest ranking Democrat on the committee is Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown.
Mike Pompeo, nominee for Director of the CIA
Kansas Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo appeared before the Senate Committee on Intelligence. Pompeo, who has been a member of the House since 2011, has spoken out critically against the Iran Nuclear Deal and former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. Pompeo has also voiced support for NSA data collection programs. The Senate Intelligence Committee has 10 Republicans and nine Democrats and is chaired by Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) The committee’s highest ranking Democrat is Virginia Sen. Mark Warner.
James Mattis, nominee for Secretary of Defense
Retired Gen. James Mattis appeared before the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Mattis’ military career spans more than four decades. He retired in 2013 and is a fellow at the Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank in California. His nomination conflicts with federal law, which requires secretaries of defense to have been out of uniform for seven years before holding the office. Congress will have to grant Mattis a waiver in order for him to be confirmed. The Armed Services Committee approved the waiver in a 24-3 vote today—the three no votes were from Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Mattis has advocated for what he has called “continued American engagement in the world” and has spoken critically of the foreign policies of countries like Iran and Russia. He is also reportedly opposed to the use of torture by U.S. military forces. The Armed Services Committee has 14 Republicans and 13 Democrats. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) chairs the committee, while Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) is the highest ranking Democrat.
See also
- You're Hired: Tracking the Trump Administration Transition
- Donald Trump presidential transition team
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