The White Hair Bus

We’ve all listened to Donald Trump claim for months he intends to “drain the swamp” in Washington  -by limiting the “access/power of lobbyists, Wall Street and clearing out political corruption.” Highly critical of Hillary Clinton’s foundation, campaign donors and Wall Street cronies, Trump also denounced she and her team as the ‘same old Washington elites.’

So, how is he following through on his promises and mission to “shake-up Washington”? One look at this mostly white-hair bus of cabinet members’ resumes and one can quickly see –the so-called swamp is full and it’s lined with Trump supporters, wealthy Trump donors, and bank and business executives with personal agendas.

Here’s a look at the first few appointments:

CHIEF WHITE HOUSE STRATEGIST, SENIOR COUNSELOR: STEVE BANNON
-Bannon, 63, will serve as Trump’s gatekeeper and political agenda strategist
-Former head of website Breitbart News – an inflammatory alt-right/white supremacist publication known for its racist, anti-Semitic and sexist articles, and fervent support of Donald Trump.
-Bannon readily admits he is a “nationalist” while carefully avoiding the term “White Nationalist.”
-Bannon’s ex-wife (one of 3) accused him of anti-Semitic remarks as they researched school options for their children, reportedly saying he ‘did not want his kids to go to school with a bunch of Jews.’
-Known for sexist, hateful remarks, referring to conservative women as “a bunch of dykes.”
-Praised by the KKK and White Nationalist groups
-Former Goldman Sachs investment banker (i.e., one of those Wall Street banker-types for which Trump chastised Hillary.)
-Charged with misdemeanor domestic violence/battery of 2^nd wife, Mary Louise Piccard. He was also charged with dissuading a witness (1996.)
-No political experience, outside of running Trump’s campaign
-Tightly linked to the Mercer family – a top donor to the Trump campaign, GOP super PACs and Lobbyist groups, and as if that’s not enough – the Mercer family, specifically Robert Mercer, invested $10,000,000 and remains a stakeholder in Breitbart News.

WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: REINCE PRIEBUS
-Attorney and Chairman of the Republican National Committee, 44 years old
-His political career started in 2004, when he lost the Wisconsin Senate seat to a Democrat
-Supporter of Keystone Pipeline and healthcare reform (particularly repealing ACA)
-Former focus on immigration reform, though he did previously state he did not agree with a Muslim ban
-Reportedly vowed to punish Republicans who did not/don’t support/endorse Trump
-Claims there was no report indicating Russia meddled with the election. (That’s FALSE, by the way.)
-Does not support gay marriage
-Staunchly Pro-Life
-Former Tea Party activist, now supports a more “inclusive” GOP campaign for young people and women (conservatives only please)
Who will he replace?:  Dennis McDonough – former Deputy National Security Advisor and former Chief of Staff of National Security Staff 

U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: JEFF SESSIONS
-Trump supporter and close ally since Trump announced his campaign
-Sessions, 69, is an Alabama senator and former federal prosecutor with an historically tough stance on illegal immigration
-Opposes any path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
-Supports “Building the wall”
-Supported the Iraq war but previously voted AGAINST additional funding for the VA
-Previously lost nomination to US District Court during Reagan administration due his to widely reported racist remarks
-Does not support gay marriage or  LGBTQ rights. Voted against the Matthew Shepard act and the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act. Voted FOR the Marriage Amendment Act.
-Climate change skeptic known for questioning EPA
-Does not support legalization of marijuana – even saying he ‘thought the KKK was OK until he found out they use pot.’
Who does he replace?: Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch (the second woman and the first African American Woman to be confirmed for this position)

CIA DIRECTOR: MIKE POMPEO
-U.S. Representative Pompeo, 52, is a third-term congressman from Kansas who serves on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, which oversees the CIA, National Security Agency and cyber security.  (aka so-called ‘swamp member’)
-Pompeo supports the U.S. government’s collection of Americans’ communications data via NSA surveillance programs
-Wants to cancel the nuclear deal with Iran
-Strongly opposes abortion, except (and ONLY when) the mother’s life is at risk
-Rejects global warming and supports eliminating the EPA
-Opposes the ACA – supports repeal
-Opposes a pathway to citizenship
-Voted NO on Violence Against Women Act
-Lifetime member of the National Rifle Association-supports absolute gun rights
-Opposes GMO food labeling
-Supported the government shutdown in 2013 (blaming Obama)
Who does he replace? John Brennan

COMMERCE SECRETARY: WILBUR ROSS
-Ross, 78, billionaire Trump donor/support and owner of private equity firm WL Ross & Co.
-Former Wall Street banker. Spent 24 years at Rothschild Inc – where he ran (follow this connection) the bankruptcy restructuring division. As such –he advised Trump on his three failing casinos. Referred to as “The King of Bankruptcy”
-Helped shape Trump’s message and policy on foreign trade: He blames NATO and China’s entry into the World Trade Organization for the loss of US manufacturing jobs (though his many manufacturing ventures or partnerships have operations all over the world, including China, Brazil, Europe, & South Africa, just to name a few.)
-Formerly served under President Clinton and Mayor Rudy Giuliani
-Paid $2.3 million fine to settle a Securities and Exchange commission probe into misappropriation of company fees for International Coal Group (ICG)
-Using his knowledge of bankruptcy regulations, he set up ICG free from unions, healthcare and pensions–really ‘helping out’ those with mining jobs
-Serves as board member to several banking groups – Bank of Cyprus and Sun Bancorp, as well as Exco Resources – a national gas and exploration company
-Based on these appointments above, it should be no surprise he supports the growth of the coal industry and mining and fewer regulations
-Though part of his role will be to build American jobs – he’s known by many to be a “vulture investor” who has slashed jobs and pensions to line his pockets. (His supporters hail him for saving companies, of course.)
Who does he replace? Fellow billionaire and Hyatt family heiress, Penny Pritzker

More to come…