President-Elect Donald Trump’s administration is on the horizon; it’s important to understand what Trump’s wishes are for his cabinet, so I’ve raked through some of the more peculiar choices.
Andrew Puzder for Secretary of Labor
Those of us in the southern, midwestern or western United States are most likely familiar with the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. fast food chains filled with thickburgers, jumbo dogs and monster biscuits. The chief executive of the parent company of those eateries, CKE Restaurants, will be taking on labor in general, and it might give more than Michelle Obama a heart attack.
Joking aside, some have been worried over Puzder’s appointment due to his staunch opposition toward minimum wage increases and aversion to overtime increases, something he professes diminishes opportunities for other workers.
Ben Carson for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Carson himself was a Republican candidate in the running for Trump’s position and was thought to be a realistic contender for the candidacy and presidency. He has recently been welcomed into the fold as Trump offered a general cabinet position to his former opponent.
Despite claims that he did not want to have power over a new administration, Carson accepted the housing and urban development nomination recently. Critics are vocal about the appointment, pointing at Carson’s lack of direct experience in housing.
Yet others claim that Carson’s unique medical outlook will help out those with poor housing since it is largely seen as an undesirable health situation Carson could remedy in his tenure as secretary.
Scott Pruitt for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Someone who has been described as a climate change skeptic and said that “[the] debate is far from settled” on the subject has been chosen to lead the EPA, the nation’s lead organization concerned with fostering human health as well as environmental wellness.
The Oklahoma Attorney General has joined Trump in wanting to scrap the Clean Water Rule, a mandate that protects up to 20 million acres of water which provides safe drinking water for more than 100 million Americans.
Linda McMahon for Administrator of the Small Business Administration
The wife of Vince McMahon who created World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is known for her success in big business, once being the chief executive of the WWE for years.
Fun fact: Trump participated in a “Battle of the Billionaires” in which his wrestling representative beat Vince McMahon’s, permitting Trump to beat McMahon and shave his head.
Now, his wife will have the responsibility of overseeing the growth of small businesses. Many are skeptical if she can relate to and boost smaller entrepreneurs, but there is still hope for a knockout in the ring. We will soon see what these cabinet appointees are capable of in 2017.
