In the decades preceding his 2016 presidential bid, President-elect Trump held political positions across the ideological spectrum on several key issues. Although his Republican primary opponents tried to persuade voters these shifts were problematic, one of the chief strengths of the Trump campaign was the simplicity and consistency of its message.
From the Mexican-financed border wall, to the “extreme vetting” and potential temporary ban of (mainly Muslim) immigrants from countries plagued by terrorism, to his virulent opposition to trade and diplomatic agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Iranian nuclear deal, Trump was and is at his best when he plays to the most succinct, foundational planks in his platform.
But as Cabinet confirmation hearings have unfolded, numerous nominees have broken with their would-be boss on several of these stances. In the past three days alone, four of Trump’s nominees have broken, in some cases sharply, with the soon-to-be 45th president on some of his core promises.
On the border wall, Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, General John Kelly, seemed to walk back the notion of a wall being the best solution to illegal immigration, saying, “A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job. Certainly, it has to be a layered approach.” Kelly went on to stress the need for improved partnerships with Latin and South American countries such as Peru to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.
Regarding a proposed Muslim ban, attorney general nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., bluntly answered a question from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about whether or not he agreed: “No.”
With respect to NAFTA and TPP, secretary of state nominee and former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson took a slightly more traditional free trade approach than the one put forth by Trump, stating, “I do not oppose TPP. But I do share some of his views regarding whether the agreement that was negotiated serves all of America’s interest best.”
When it came to the Iranian nuclear deal, Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, General James Mattis, departed from the Trump’s commitment to “rip up the deal on Day One” of his term. “I think it is an imperfect arms control agreement — it’s not a friendship treaty,” Mattis said. “But when America gives her word, we have to live up to it and work with our allies.”
While the mark of a successful confirmation process is ultimately being confirmed, hopefully with votes from opposition party senators, these independent perspectives point to yet another unknown for an administration filled with them before it even takes office.
Will these Cabinet deviations foreshadow fractures to come? Or will Trump place even his main campaign pledges on the negotiating table?
Tamer Abouras is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. He is a writer and editor from Williamstown, N.J. Thinking of submitting an op-ed to the Washington Examiner? Be sure to read our guidelines on submissions.
