Staff Reports
The big spectacle that is President-elect Donald J. Trump’s incoming administration is already drawing scrutiny, and it isn’t just critics in the Democratic sphere chuckling in delight. A couple of eyebrow-raising nominations have left some conservatives scratching their heads and wondering who is really vetting these candidates. From a choice for attorney general that raised eyebrows, to a nominee for labor secretary who has cozy ties with the other side, the chatter is that Trump might be off to a rocky start.
The nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for surgeon general has raised alarms, primarily because of her demonstrated support for COVID lockdowns throughout the pandemic. For those keeping score, the doctor comes with a track record of championing the very policies that were designed to stifle personal freedoms and chase small business owners into bankruptcy. She also had a penchant for promoting social media censorship, which makes her a poor fit in a nation that prides itself on free speech. One must wonder if she was waiting for the right political moment to abandon her liberal roots and jump on the bandwagon of a more opportunistic stance.
Oh, There Are Problems With Trump's Surgeon General Pick
https://t.co/T7mgvvuTpk— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 25, 2024
On the labor front, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer has come under fire for her support of amnesty for illegal immigrants. Her backing of the Democrat-supported American Dream and Promise Act, not to mention the DIGNITY Act, raises the obvious question: why would the Trump administration choose someone prone to caving on border security? It looks like the new administration is getting some lessons on necessary vetting the hard way—much to the chagrin of the very voters who put them in power.
With these kinds of selections, Senate Republicans have a duty to step in and make an example of what happens when picks cross the line. The nomination of Chavez-DeRemer is particularly flagrant and should serve as the canary in the coal mine for the broader issue of immigration policy, which is a top concern for many conservative voters. A labor secretary who bends over backward for amnesty is the last thing a Trump administration needs if it wants to remain in good graces with its base.
If the early days of the Trump administration are any indication, there’s a serious need for a strategic pivot back to conservative values. It would be hard to argue that both Nesheiwat and Chavez-DeRemer even remotely align with the principles of limited government and personal freedom. If these nominees remain uncontested, Republicans may quickly find themselves facing the wrath of angry constituents come election season. Perhaps it’s high time President Trump gets some solid advice on who exactly should represent his administration—or risk losing the very support that propelled him into office.
