There is no reason to expect the formation of Donald Trump’s senior staff or the nominees for cabinet positions he sends to the Senate to be any less contentious than the election was. Mr. Trump’s outspokenness, which won him much support on the right, coupled with the desire by the left to exact revenge for their stinging loss at the polls, assures this conflict. Fortunately, Trump has a tough skin and a sharp mind, so he can take the heat — and dish it back out if needed.
Speculation over Mr. Trump’s choice for attorney general is already in the news and generating a lot of heat due to the impact this appointment will have on the implementation of his immigration policy.
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) is most famously the author of Arizona’s hardline immigration law that, before parts of it were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, ordered state and local law enforcement to demand proof of citizenship from certain people stopped by police. Now, he says he is part of Donald Trump’s presidential transition team focused on immigration policy, and his name is being floated as a possible U.S. attorney general.
A hard-liner on immigration may be very desirable and be part of fulfilling one of Trump’s campaign promises, but he can expect a nasty fight on the floor of the Senate as such an appointment would be a direct threat to the left.
He tells Reuters that he will also recommend that the Trump administration bring back a system to register, fingerprint, and track mostly Muslims arriving in the U.S. from certain “higher risk” countries where extremist groups are active; some men over 16 would have to register and check in periodically at government offices.
He sounds like a very good fit for Trump’s immigration policies. And he’s sure to create quite a show as he appears before the Senate for confirmation should he be nominated for the position of attorney general.
Source: The Week
