Trump says everything is going well, and his Cabinet agrees.
WASHINGTON — One by one, they praised President Donald Trump, taking turns complimenting his integrity, his message, his strength, his policies.
Their leader smiled, nodding approval.
“The greatest privilege of my life is to serve as vice president to the president who’s keeping his word to the American people,” said Mike Pence, starting things off.
“I am privileged to be here — deeply honored, and I want to thank you for your commitment to the American workers,” said Alexander Acosta, the secretary of labor.
Sonny Perdue, the agriculture secretary, had just returned from Mississippi and had a message.
“They love you there,” he said, grinning across the table at Trump.
Reince Priebus, the chief of staff whose job insecurity has been the subject of endless speculation, outdid them all, telling the president — and the assembled news cameras, “We thank you for the opportunity and the blessing to serve your agenda.”
Routine meeting of staff
So it went Monday in the Cabinet Room of the White House, as Trump transformed a routine meeting of senior members of his government into a mood-boosting, ego-stroking display of support for himself and his agenda. While the president never explicitly asked to be praised, Pence set the worshipful tone, and Trump made it clear he liked what he heard.
“Thank you, Mick,” he told Mick Mulvaney, his budget director. “Good job,” he told Scott Pruitt, his EPA chief. “Very good, Daniel,” he said to Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence.
The commander in chief, who has been known for decades as a fan of flattery and who speaks of himself in superlatives, even indulged in a bit of self-congratulation. He declared himself one of the most productive presidents in U.S. history — perhaps Franklin D. Roosevelt could come close, he conceded — and proclaimed that he had led a “record-setting pace” of accomplishment.
Never mind that Trump has yet to sign any major legislation, or that his White House has been buffeted by legal and ethical questions surrounding the investigation into his campaign’s possible links to Russia and his firing of the FBI director who had been leading that inquiry.
The highly unusual spectacle before the Cabinet meeting got down to business and the TV cameras were banished seemed designed to deflect attention from the president’s faltering agenda and the accusations leveled against him last week by the fired FBI Director, James Comey.
Days before, Comey had charged that Trump had lied about his firing and inappropriately sought to influence the Russia investigation. On Monday, the president said the country was “seeing amazing results” from his leadership.
“I will say that never has there been a president, with few exceptions — in the case of FDR he had a major Depression to handle — who’s passed more legislation, who’s done more things than what we’ve done,” Trump said. “We’ve been about as active as you can possibly be, and at a just about record-setting pace.”
Trump has been struggling with his legislative agenda. His effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act passed the House on a second try, but senators are toiling to put together their version.
And his administration is months away from unveiling a major tax cut package or the sweeping infrastructure plan he has promised.
The endorsements from the administration’s highest officials might have served as a comforting counterpoint to Trump’s sinking poll numbers. Fifty-nine percent disapproved of the job he is doing, according to a June 11 Gallup tracking survey, with only 36 percent approving.
Cabinet honored to serve
After his upbeat introductory remarks Monday, the president went around the table asking for a statement from each Cabinet member. One by one, they said their names and — as if working to outdo one another — paid homage to Trump, describing how honored they were to serve in his administration.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve at SBA,” said Linda McMahon, the administrator of the Small Business Administration, trumpeting “a new optimism” for small businesses.
Ben Carson, the housing secretary, called it “a great honor” to work for Trump; Perdue offered congratulations for “the men and women you have gathered around this table.”
A few Cabinet members diverged from the apparent script. Jim Mattis, the secretary of defense whose reputation for independence has been a comfort to Trump’s critics, refrained from personally praising the president, instead aiming his comments at U.S. troops.
“Mr. President, it’s an honor to represent the men and women of the Department of Defense, and we are grateful for the sacrifices our people are making in order to strengthen our military so our diplomats always negotiate from a position of strength,” Mattis said as Trump sat, stern-faced.