“On day one, a president should do what’s right. Take control of what you have authority to take control of, the DOJ! “
That’s what his cabinet members are for. No question Sessions was a horrible choice, and others weren’t so hot as well.
But he had had no experience in government. How do you identify thousands of people who are eventually found to be bad actors, and how do you find the right people to replace them with?
Oh I agree. Trump was elected into an almost impossible if not impossible situation.
I'll tell you what. If Barr and Durham come through, then the hold-back long game strategy will be a success.
If Barr and Durham turn out to be Deep State, then we have really big problems.
“How do you identify thousands of people who are eventually found to be bad actors, and how do you find the right people to replace them with?”
I have believed all along that this was Trump’s biggest mistake. He had no idea how many deep state ers were out to get him.
First, I believe Admiral Rogers told Trump back in November 2016 that Trump was being spied on. Trump moved his transition team to N.J. the next day. So, Trump was aware the IC was out to get him. Hence the famous Sen. Shumer statement to Rachael Maddow on January 3rd, 2017, “ The IC has six ways from Sunday to get you.”
Perhaps it was a big mistake to kick Chris Cristie off the transition team, for personal reasons. Like him or hate him, Christie knew all the players, and might have had insight on who to trust.
When Guiliani turned down A.G., Trump should have twisted his arm, and got him to take the position on a temporary basis, just until everything settled down. Of course, Joe Digenova also would have made a good A.G.
Who recommended Chris Wray and Gina Haspel to Trump? They are just as deep state as the people they replaced. Clearly, Trump didn’t think that all the way through. I have a feeling the wishy washy Republicans convinced Trump that these two were the only people they could get through confirmation.
I have been thinking about what Trump could have done better for a long time. Unfortunately, he is fighting the entire establishment, and that is an uphill battle.