bird brain

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 14, 2018

Rex Tillerson just got brutally dumped from the White House

For the last several months, there have been rumors that President Trump was displeased with his Secretary of State and that he wanted to replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. The White House has repeatedly denied that such a shakeup was in the offing, and Tillerson has repeatedly said that he doesn’t want to leave his job. But on Tuesday morning, Trump tweeted it out.

There is a lot going on here. Tillerson and Trump have never exactly jibed. The two have clashed over the Paris Climate Accords, North Korea, and the decision to move the United States’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Most recently, Tillerson raised eyebrows by laying the blame on Russia for the poisoning of the double agent Sergei Skripal—something that Sarah Huckabee Sanders wouldn’t do.

All of that may be secondary to the fact that Trump has never quite gotten over being called a “fucking moron” by his secretary of state. Tillerson was caught unawares, with the State Department saying he “had every intention of staying. … The Secretary did not speak to the President and is unaware of the reason.”

Tillerson’s tenure was a disaster, marked by a historic gutting of his department, conflicts with the president that increasingly left him outside of major policy decisions, and a seeming hatred for the job. But perhaps Tillerson’s main problem was that he tried to act like a diplomat in an administration that hates diplomacy.

For those who are concerned about Trump’s erratic temperament, Pompeo and Haspel are alarming choices. Pompeo sees the War on Terror as a clash of civilizations and is a hawk when it comes to Iran. Haspel, meanwhile, played a “direct role” in the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program. With weeks to go before negotiations with North Korea supposedly start, Trump’s national security team just got a lot more hawkish. (Source: New Republic) 

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UPDATE: Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay – Wednesday March 26, 2025

Trump’s cabinet is characterized by loyalty-driven appointments, where fealty often overshadows expertise, raising concerns about governance integrity.

The Dynamics of Loyalty and Flattery in Trump’s Cabinet

In the political landscape shaped by Donald Trump, the dynamics of loyalty and sycophancy have played a defining role in his administration’s composition and functioning. Trump’s cabinet has been noted for its members’ pronounced loyalty and willingness to echo his policies and rhetoric, often prioritizing allegiance over expertise.

Many of Trump’s appointees and advisors were handpicked not only for their qualifications but also for their unwavering support and public praise of his leadership style. This environment fostered a culture where flattery and alignment with Trump’s views were seen as essential for maintaining favor and position within the administration.

Critics have argued that this dynamic led to a lack of critical debate and dissent, with cabinet meetings often resembling orchestrated sessions of praise. Notable instances include early cabinet meetings where members took turns lauding Trump’s accomplishments and leadership. This ritualized flattery mirrored gatherings hosted by Trump’s former lawyer, Roy Cohn, though with a more obligatory tone.

The emphasis on loyalty over expertise also contributed to frequent turnover within the cabinet. Those who failed to demonstrate sufficient allegiance or who challenged Trump’s views often found themselves replaced. This approach has raised concerns about the implications for governance and policy, with critics from both sides of the political spectrum expressing alarm over the potential erosion of institutional integrity.

As Trump continues to influence American politics, the legacy of his cabinet’s dynamics offers a cautionary tale about the balance between loyalty and independent counsel in the corridors of power.

For further insights, you can explore sources such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and Politico, which have extensively covered these aspects of Trump’s administration.

This cartoon has been re-purposed from a version that was originally published March 14, 2018