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Trumps Take Over Washington

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The Trump family is going to work.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, a notable shift is unfolding in the composition of his inner circle. While his immediate family members step back from formal roles, Trump is increasingly relying on his extended family to fill key positions in his administration. This strategic change signals both a continuation of the loyalty-based decision-making that marked his first term and a fresh approach to navigating his second presidency.

In a move that has garnered significant attention, Trump has appointed the fathers-in-law of two of his daughters to prominent roles. Charles Kushner, Jared Kushner’s dad, has been named U.S. Ambassador to France, while Massad Boulos, Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law, will serve as a senior adviser on Middle Eastern affairs. Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former partner of Donald Trump Jr., has also been tapped to serve as Ambassador to Greece. These appointments highlight the president’s strong preference for loyalty and personal connections within his administration.

Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are expected to continue playing central roles in promoting their father’s accomplishments, likely through media appearances and online platforms. Lara Trump, married to Eric, is also poised to expand her political career, enjoying the president-elect’s full backing. While Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who both served as senior advisers during the first term, are not expected to take on formal roles in the new administration, their influence on key policy areas, such as the Middle East, remains significant.

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Critics of Trump’s family-driven approach argue that placing family members in high-ranking positions could raise concerns about nepotism and public trust. However, Trump’s allies point out that his administration has consistently prioritized loyalty and trust, which family members inherently bring to the table. GOP strategist Brian Seitchik suggests that Trump’s reliance on family is consistent with his long-standing business and political approach, where personal loyalty has always been a guiding principle.

Though some worry about the optics of appointing family members to senior positions, history shows that nepotism in politics is nothing new. President John F. Kennedy famously appointed his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as U.S. Attorney General, a move that was controversial at the time but ultimately became a defining moment of his administration.

Trump’s family involvement is also a stark contrast to President Biden, who pledged not to have any family members involved in his administration. Despite this promise, Biden’s son Hunter has remained a controversial figure, often in the spotlight due to legal and business dealings.

As President-elect Trump moves into his second term, the presence of his family in his administration seems likely to remain a defining characteristic of his leadership. With loyal family members in strategic positions, Trump’s focus on trust and personal relationships over traditional political networks is set to continue. While some may question the wisdom of this approach, it’s clear that family loyalty remains a cornerstone of Trump’s political style. For his supporters, this loyalty is a feature, not a flaw.