Trump’s nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to be secretary of State was a sharp move, the author says, particularly as Trump will face “mounting crises in Latin America.”
And by threating to raise tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico, Trump is “throwing down the gauntlet” to America’s neighbors, allowing him to “start the negotiating process and potentially avoid a regrettable tariff hike.”
Trump’s insistence on recess appointments for Cabinet appointments is his way of “thumbing his nose at the entire [confirmation] process,” says Naughton. It “might bring needed reform to a broken system.”
Trump has also avoided contentious culture war issues, most notably abortion, which Naughton believes is a political loser for Republicans. “So far, Trump has wisely avoided talking abortion policy or making any firm commitments, as it is all cost and no reward.”
Read the op-ed at TheHill.com.
