So Trump proved to Mulvaney why he is President and Mulvaney is a hack. It’s this understand your base thingy.
And now Trump can turn to an ever fractious and self-indulging staff and say to them, now, ok any of you have any more bright ideas or can we stick to the MAGA agenda - you know - proven really smart conservative rule of law judges endorsed by the Federalist Society. Our base seems happy with it so far. Why don’t you go straight to them and explain that the price of you continuing to hold this job for such a measly salary is that you get to appoint your friends to important positions, and see what they have to say about it. Me, so far, I have avoided calling them a bunch of dumbasses and it’s working out ok for me. Nancy and Hillary have tried a different approach and seem to be struggling. But you are free to try. Of course you know you have my support, and I will thank you for your service to your country when you find you need to move on.