Parker: The revolving door of the Trump Administration
“My, people come and go so quickly here,” references a special line for Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
However, the observation seems more appropriate for President Donald Trump’s administration as White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer added his name to a growing departure list. Spicer lasted just six months before offering his resignation.
Now, all eyes turn toward Attorney General Jeff Sessions who seems trapped in the verbal crosshairs of Trump.
The Sessions apprenticeship may be nearing an end despite his assertion to not resign.
Trump told The New York Times that he would not have chosen Jeff Sessions to serve as attorney general had he known his AG would recuse himself.
“How do you take a job and then recuse yourself? If he had recused himself before the job, I would have said “Thanks, Jeff, but I’m not going to take you,” Trump told The Times.”
While Sessions holds no position on my Hall of Fame wall, especially with his promise to resurrect harsh treatment for marijuana smokers, there’s support here for his resignation provided he leave with dignity.
The list below includes appointees who stayed for minimal time or withdrew their names from consideration.
Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor
- K.T. McFarland, Deputy National Security Advisor
- Monica Crowley, advisor to the National Security Council
- Katie Walsh, Deputy White House Chief of Staff
- Andy Puzder, nominee for Labor Secretary
- Vincent Viola, nominee for Army Secretary
- Philip Bilden, nominee for Navy Secretary
- Shermichael Singleton, Senior Adviser at HUD
- Marcus Peacock, senior White House budget adviser at OMB
- Todd Ricketts, nominee for Deputy Commerce Secretary
- Mark Green, nominee for Army Secretary
- James Donavan, nominee for Deputy Treasury Secretary
- Mike Dubke, White House communications director
- Tera Dahl, deputy chief of staff at the National Security Council.
May as well add New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to this list after the Garden State Republican helped mastermind Trump’s victory.
Trump has insulted Christie on numerous occasions while the once tough-talking Christie behaved more like a lap dog, seemingly afraid to respond.
Former FBI Director James Comey showed courage after Trump fired him.
Comey called Trump a liar at least five times during testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Of course, Democrats such as Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, confront Trump but Republicans shy away from such confrontations.
Unlikely Spicer could ever produce enough political testosterone. In May, just after Trump terminated Comey, Spicer literally hid in bushes outside the White House.
Could the inexcusable, recuse able Sessions if fired or resigned take on Trump?
Ok. Scratch that idea. Trump remains The undisputed big mouth champion who made Republican leaders wince and whine.
Add more people to the “hello, I must be going” list but President Trump’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Hail to the Chief.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@trentonian.com.