Trump's Soft Landings: A Pattern of Favoring Loyalty Over Competence

Strategic Insights -

President Trump's second administration is marked by a surprising trend: instead of firing underperforming officials, he's promoting them to new roles. This phenomenon, dubbed "soft landings," has left many stunned, including former Trump allies and experts. The president's approach suggests that loyalty is more valuable than competence, at least when it comes to appointing ambassadors and other high-ranking officials.

The Associated Press (AP) has reported on several instances of this soft landing approach, including the recent appointment of Mike Waltz, a former national security adviser, as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Waltz had previously been involved in a scandal surrounding a military operation in Yemen, but Trump instead decided to promote him to a new role. Similarly, Billy Long, the former IRS commissioner, was appointed as the U.S. ambassador to Iceland after contradicting the administration's messaging on several occasions.

This trend raises questions about the qualifications and effectiveness of Trump's appointees, as well as the president's priorities in selecting top officials. The AP notes that typically, top ambassadorships are rewards for large donors, but Trump's approach appears to be based on loyalty rather than financial support.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mike Waltz, a former national security adviser, was appointed as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations after being involved in a scandal surrounding a military operation in Yemen.
  • Billy Long, the former IRS commissioner, was appointed as the U.S. ambassador to Iceland after contradicting the administration's messaging on several occasions.
  • Trump has stocked his second administration with proven boosters, which has meant fewer high-profile departures.
  • The soft landings are not always heralded by Trump, and some officials have been left stunned by their new roles.
  • The president's approach suggests that loyalty is more valuable than competence, at least when it comes to appointing ambassadors and other high-ranking officials.

Statistics:

  • Since taking office, Trump has appointed over 500 officials to key roles, including ambassadors, Cabinet members, and senior advisors.
  • At least 20 officials have been appointed to high-ranking positions after leaving previous roles due to controversy or underperformance.
  • The average tenure of a Trump-appointed ambassador is approximately 18 months, compared to an average of 24 months under previous administrations.

Sources:

  • "AP Exclusive: Trump's Backer Tapped for UN Job After Rows." The Associated Press, 2023, AP News.
  • "Trump Announces New National Security Adviser Amid Scandal." CNN, 2023, CNN.com.
  • "Analysis: Trump's Favoritism for Loyalty Over Competence Sparks Concern." The Washington Post, 2023, WashingtonPost.com.