Friday Insights-December 6, 2024
Forty-five days until Inauguration Day.
I wonder what Pete Hegseth thinks about Donald Trump. As Hegseth continues what is likely to be a failed attempt to win confirmation as Secretary of Defense, media reported that Trump discussed the Defense job with his good friend, Ron DeSanctimonious.
Until 8:00 a.m. this morning, I guessed that Trump had already concluded that Hegseth couldn’t be confirmed but was reticent to withdraw the nomination because that isn’t what fighters do. Then I saw a post on Trump’s social media site:
Maybe Hegseth is turning the corner. We’ll see, but Hegseth’s misguided quest to head the Department of Defense will end when Trump reads the writing on the wall. That will be a matter of days.
The Washington Post and other media have documented Hegseth’s troubling personal history. Not only does Hegseth have a history of sexual assault, but he also appears to be a heavy-duty drinker, at least in the past. The Post on Thursday reported further details (at least new to me) about Hegseth’s drinking.
Senators already concerned about Hegseth’s lack of experience for the DOD job now can choose between his sexual history and drinking as grounds for rejecting him. Goodbye, Pete. Will Fox hire him back?
Billy Long for IRS Commissioner?
Trump has nominated former Missouri Congressman Billy Long to head the Internal Revenue Service. Long, a professional auctioneer, does not have a college degree.
Watch this YouTube video to get a feel for Long’s style.
The IRS will likely be a prime target of Trump’s Department on Government Efficiency (DOGE). Appointing a colorful, compliant, unqualified man to head the agency may facilitate its demise or “restructuring.”
Jared Issacman, NASA Administrator.
Given Elon Musk’s intense friendship with Donald Trump, I expected Trump would choose someone “acceptable” to Musk. Trump did not disappoint. Jared Issacman has flown to space twice on SpaceX rockets and paid Musk millions for the privilege.
Issacson’s experience as an astronaut hardly qualifies him to run the space agency. Issacman made his fortune by founding a payments processing company. After he became rich, he supplemented that business with a company that trains pilots for the Air Force. Issacman also owns a MIG 29 Russian fighter.
Issacman will be easily confirmed for the job at NASA. I predict he will work with Musk to find efficiencies at NASA, one of which will be canceling the delayed and overbudget Space Launch System. Once that rocket is canceled, Musk will be NASA’s only ride to the moon and Mars.
Coincidentally, NASA announced another delay in the Artemis II mission yesterday. The mission will send astronauts into orbit around the moon. It was scheduled for September 2025, but the new date is April 2026.
Murder in New York.
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group’s insurance business, was shot and killed in front of a hotel in midtown Manhattan. The shooter targeted Thompson, but why? From messages left on shell cases at the shooting scene, it appears the shooter, who remains at large, was angry at UnitedHealth for a denied insurance claim.
The Thompson murder could set the stage for similar acts of violence against business leaders and politicians.
Will Kash Patel focus the FBI’s resources on catching the murderer? Or will he be too busy with his enemies list?
Earthquake in Northern California.
The 7.0 earthquake Thursday off California reminds us of how important FEMA is. Let’s hope DOGE doesn’t determine that the agency is unnecessary.
Political turmoil in France.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron is in trouble. His prime minister, Michel Barnier, was removed from office Wednesday after a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly. Macron is subject to calls to resign but vows to remain in office. He will announce a new prime minister soon.
Experts see the turmoil in France as reflecting the strength of the right wing.
Thank you.
That is it for now. I continue monitoring Trump’s nominees and how Hegseth, Kennedy, and Gabbard are doing. I am also watching announcements of plans to deport “criminal migrants.” The Trump administration intends to hit the ground running. As of today, there are only 45 days left before Inauguration Day.