CNN
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Less than a week into the Trump transition, and while some of the most important personnel decisions are still in progress, the president-elect has elevated a new class of candidates: the emperor.
Discussions over the future role of North Dakota governor-turned-Trump ally Doug Burgum have devolved into an “energy czar” argument, according to two people familiar with the discussions, and the president’s progress It has a broad mandate to carry out an interagency process towards achieving this goal. Electing Donald Trump’s Energy Policy. CNN reported Friday that Burgum is being considered for the role of energy czar.
“It’s like a conservative version of (Biden administration senior climate change official) John Podesta,” one of the people said.
CNN previously reported that Burgum was in contention for cabinet-level positions, including to head the Interior and Energy departments. But recently, those conversations have centered around a role that gives Mr. Burkum policy oversight without the hassle of tens of thousands of employees or complex processes.
This is the latest example of high-profile Trump candidates discussing the role that works between government agencies and the president-elect, an attempt to circumvent bureaucratic processes and exercise more power over portfolios. It’s nothing more than that. It also means nominees can hit the ground running from day one without having to go through a lengthy confirmation process in the Senate.
The focus is on people who are not on the ‘need to get this job or need to get that job’ list and can implement policy,” said another person involved in the process. said the person. “These are people who are not kidding, they are straight-up implementing the president’s policies.”
The term “emperor” came to refer to a politically appointed person with a specific problem to solve. President Barack Obama is an official with this title, often used informally, to address issues such as closing Guantanamo Bay, containing the spread of Ebola, and explaining the massive economic stimulus package during the Great Recession. More than 20 people were appointed.
President Joe Biden has also appointed a czar to help manage the response to the coronavirus pandemic and the supply chain disruptions that have erupted as a result.
President-elects often name their most high-profile appointees first, such as secretary of state or secretary of the treasury. Trump also has a unique focus on his pick for attorney general as he and his allies consider law enforcement priorities that could include political retribution, as Trump has suggested. I’m guessing.
Instead, Trump’s first choices were Republicans. He selected Rep. Elise Stefanik to be ambassador to the United Nations, a public role that promotes the U.S. position on conflicts around the world. President Trump is expected to announce in the coming days that longtime domestic policy adviser Stephen Miller will become White House chief of staff to focus on immigration.
But Mr. Miller’s job will also be enhanced by Mr. Trump’s appointed czar. Tom Homan, a hardline operator who previously served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will return to the role of “border czar” he held in 2019. In that and previous roles at the Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Homan served as Under Secretary. The first Trump administration’s aggressive efforts to tighten immigration enforcement have been made public.
“I am pleased to announce that former ICE Director and Border Enthusiast Tom Homan will be joining the Trump Administration to take charge of our nation’s borders (the “Border Czar”). Southern border, northern border, all maritime and air security,” Trump said in a Truth Social post late Sunday.
And third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who backed Mr. Trump on the promise of a role in the administration, said his “czar-like role” overseeing a wide range of issues related to health, agriculture and medicine. ‘ are being discussed. In a sign of Kennedy’s influence over the transition process, he is also co-chairing Trump’s transition, two people familiar with the matter said.
The debate over Kennedy’s role also includes a key element: direct access to the president, which can make or break a senior aide’s job.
“For Trump, it’s all about proximity,” the first source said. “If you work in a government agency across from President Trump, you’re already one step behind.”
