Olivia Vest
Managing Editor
President Donald Trump has been the focus of controversy for issues ranging from his numerous executive orders to his political comments on social media. More recently, attention has been called to his Cabinet picks, questioning their viability in each of their respective offices.
Garnering both the support and protest of Americans, Cabinet choices like the recently approved Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education and Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have seen a substantial amount of debate.
The appointment of DeVos gained perhaps the most attention, as her support for charter schools and the voucher system were seen widely as irresponsible from proponents of the public school system. After a series of questioning at her hearings, DeVos’ unfamiliarity with laws such as the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act led to an unprecedented level of opposition for the Secretary of Education position.
A large portion of resistance came from teachers and students around the country. DeVos’ lack of experience in the education system was a cause for concern for many who fought against her appointment.
“I don’t trust any of Trump’s Cabinet picks, as almost no one who has been chosen is qualified or has experience in the field for which they were chosen,” former Butler student Stephanie Aamodt said. “For example, Betsy DeVos,a businesswoman, was nominated for Secretary of Education. Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon, was selected for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Scott Pruitt for administrator for the EPA.”
Despite backlash from both Republican and Democrat politicians, DeVos was confirmed by a historic vice president tie-breaker on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
Another of Trump’s Cabinet picks, Scott Pruitt, has also received opposition for his appointment to the EPA due to close ties with the fossil fuel industry and his self-description of a “leading advocate against the EPA’s activist agenda.”
Despite this, Pruitt stated at his confirmation hearing that science proves climate change and “human activity in some manner impacts that change.” Pruitt was confirmed in a Senate vote of 52-46.
As of the date this article was written, 14 of Trump’s Cabinet choices have been confirmed.
According to one New York Times article, the nominees currently awaiting their confirmation are Ryan Zinke, Sonny Perdue, Wilbur Ross, R. Alexander Acosta, Ben Carson, Rick Perry, Dan Coats, and Robert Lighthizer. Chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisers has not yet been filled. Several positions, which did not require confirmation ranged from Chief of Staff (Reince Priebus) to Counselor (Kellyanne Conway). All of these 10 positions have been filled.
Two resignations from the original Cabinet have also been made. Michael Flynn resigned from his position as National Security Adviser due to relations with the Russian Ambassador to the United States. Following opposition of his appointment, Andrew Puzder withdrew his labor secretary nomination earlier in February.
As Trump and his Cabinet members move forward, the country makes the transition to the new administration.
