Justice League versus Larceny League
President Biden v. Citizen Trump: A Tale of Two Presidential Cabinets
There’s been a great deal of focus in the press about President Biden’s age. Articles have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Reuters, Bloomberg, ABC News, and elsewhere. Leading up to his recent State of the Union address to the nation, articles were written about the President using the address to dispel age concerns.
Interestingly, very little is said about citizen Trump’s age (he’ll be 78 in a few months. Furthermore, not much is said about the fact that Trump spent over 300 days of his time as President, golfing. (https://seattlemedium.com/donald-trump-spent-almost-a-year-playing-golf-during-presidency/). And then there was Trump’s “Executive Time” noted in his schedule. According to a report in Axios (https://www.axios.com/2019/02/03/donald-trump-private-schedules-leak-executive-time) Trump spent 60% of his non-golfing time tweeting, calling friends, and watching Fox ‘News’. Frankly, I’m happy Trump spent a significant amount of time away from conducting ‘official’ business, such as attempting to extort allies, romancing brutal authoritarian adversaries of the United States, complaining about NATO, and his all-consuming concern about water pressure in the White House.
When considering factors which influence my vote, I do understand that the President of the United States has critical responsibility in several areas requiring a clear mind, focus, and a reasonable energy level. Nevertheless, like any executive leader charged with governance of a large, complex organization, the position first and foremost requires assembling an experienced, talented, knowledgeable, and trusted team to fill the President’s Cabinet, and key leadership roles in the Executive Branch.
When it comes to governing, I’m less interested in someone’s age, or the ability to deliver a speech (both Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama were outstanding orators, yet one was the worst President in modern history -at least until Trump, and the other was among the best). I’m interested in the team of leaders they assemble to govern.
Let’s explore the differences in the Trump and Biden Cabinets.
Vice President
VP Kamala Harris
Prior to her vice presidency, Harris represented California in the U.S. Senate from 2017 to 2021. She was the first Indian American to serve as a U.S. senator and the second African American woman. Earlier in her career, she served as the attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017, where she gained recognition for her work in law and justice. As a deputy district attorney in Oakland, California, she prosecuted cases related to gang violence, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse, establishing a reputation for toughness.
Former VP Mike Pence
Climate denying, Women's rights denying, religious extremist. As Governor of Indiana he initiated the largest tax cut in State history, advocated for more funding for private and religious education, and signed bills restricting Women’s reproductive freedom. Note that Indiana State budget debt grew 18.5% from $22.46 billion in 2013 to $26.61 billion in 2018. Another shining example of GOP trickle-down fraud.
If you are keeping score, that’s: President Biden 1, Trump 0
Secretary of State
Secretary Blinken
Blinken’s public service career began at the U.S. State Department in 1993, where he worked in the Bureau for European and Canadian Affairs. He joined the National Security Council staff under President Bill Clinton from 1994 to 2001. Blinken served as a foreign policy speechwriter for Clinton and developed expertise in international relations. From 2002 to 2008, he was the Democratic staff director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he became acquainted with then Senator Biden. Antony Blinken’s extensive experience and dedication to diplomacy have shaped his influential role in U.S. foreign policy.
Former Sec. & Big Oil Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson
During Tillerson's tenure as CEO of ExxonMobil, the company faced criticism for its alleged attempts to downplay the risks of climate change and its funding of climate change denial organizations. Investigations by journalists and activists claimed that ExxonMobil knew about the dangers of climate change as early as the 1970s but chose to fund misinformation campaigns to cast doubt on climate science.
As Secretary of State under President Trump, Tillerson was involved in the decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2017. Tillerson reportedly supported remaining in the agreement, but ultimately, President Trump decided to withdraw. This decision was widely criticized both domestically and internationally. While Tillerson cannot undo the damage he has inflicted upon the planet, he partially redeemed himself when he called Trump a “f*king moron”.
Former Sec. Pompeo
Pompeo was criticized for his handling of relations with Saudi Arabia, particularly in the aftermath of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. Many accused Pompeo and the Trump administration of prioritizing economic and strategic ties with Saudi Arabia over holding the kingdom accountable for human rights abuses. Pompeo became entangled in the impeachment inquiry against President Trump in 2019. He was criticized for his role in the administration's dealings with Ukraine, including his knowledge of and potential involvement in efforts to extort Ukrainian officials to investigate Joe Biden, then a political rival of Trump.
Pompeo faced criticism for his leadership style at the State Department, with reports of low morale among career diplomats and allegations of political retaliation against employees who were perceived as disloyal to the Trump administration. He faced scrutiny for his use of State Department resources for personal and political purposes, including allegations that he and his wife misused taxpayer funds and enlisted State Department staff to perform personal errands.
Finally, his religious beliefs include a belief in Christian eschatology, or end-times theology. He has spoken publicly about his belief in the Rapture and the role he believes the State of Israel plays in biblical prophecy. Some critics have expressed concern about the influence of these beliefs on his policy decisions, particularly regarding the Middle East and Israel.
President Biden 2, Trump 0
Treasury
Secretary Dr. Janet Yellin
Yellen’s commitment to public service led her to serve as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from 1994 to 1997. She later became the head of President Bill Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers until 1999. Concurrently, Yellen chaired the Economic Policy Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Her contributions extended to academia, where she taught at the University of California, Berkeley, and eventually became the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Janet Yellen’s remarkable career exemplifies her dedication to economic stability, policy excellence, and breaking barriers as a trailblazing woman in finance and government.
Former Sec. Mnuchin
A pattern is emerging among Trump's "Draining the Swamp" appointments. For example, Mnuchin faced scrutiny over his use of government aircraft for personal and official travel. There were allegations that he used government planes for trips that were deemed unnecessary or overly expensive, including a trip to Kentucky where he and his wife viewed the solar eclipse. Apparently "Drain the Swamp" translated means "Use taxpayer money for unnecessary travel, dog walking, furniture, etc."
Mnuchin played a prominent role in advocating for and implementing the Trump administration's tax 'reform' legislation, which passed in December 2017. The legislation faced criticism from economists who argued that it primarily benefited corporations and the wealthy. (Note that while made the wealthy, wealthier, it blew a massive hole in the Federal budget and has resulted in an additional $7 Trillion dollars of National debt).
Mnuchin likely earned mad Trump/MAGA respect for his role as CEO of OneWest Bank, which foreclosed on thousands of homeowners during the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Critics accused him of aggressive foreclosure practices and insensitivity to homeowners facing financial hardship.
President Biden 3, Trump 0
Defense
Secretary Lloyd Austin
Throughout his career, Austin commanded troops at various levels, from battalion to corps. He played a crucial role in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 as part of the army’s 3rd Infantry Division. Later, he led the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan and returned to Iraq in 2008. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Barack Obama, praised Austin’s comprehensive understanding of ground warfare during their meetings. Austin became the director of the Joint Staff in 2009, a powerful position within the military. His grasp of ground operations impressed many, and he played a significant role in shaping military strategy. The New York Times described his job as "one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes positions in the military. Lloyd Austin’s journey exemplifies leadership, dedication, and historic milestones in U.S. defense and security.
Former Sec. Jim Mattis
After serving as Defense Secretary under Trump, Mattis had this to say: "Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership." This quote is exceedingly important -Mattis is generally known for his restraint and reluctance to publicly criticize sitting presidents, making his condemnation of Trump's leadership particularly noteworthy. His remarks underscored broader concerns about Trump's approach to governance and its implications for national unity and security.
Former Sec. Mark Esper
Esper came under criticism for his handling of the civil unrest that erupted across the United States in the summer of 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. He accompanied President Trump for a ridiculous photo op at St. John's Church near the White House, which involved the use of tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters. Esper later expressed regret for his involvement in the incident, stating that he was unaware it would be used for a photo op. He supported deploying active-duty military troops to quell civil unrest and expressed support for invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy troops for crowd control. Esper disagreed with President Trump over various policy issues, including the drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Former Sec. Christopher Miller
Miller was appointed by Trump after Trump lost the 2020 election. On January 6, 2021, during the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Miller was in a critical position as Acting Secretary of Defense. He approved the deployment of National Guard troops from neighboring states three hours after Capitol Police reported being overrun and two hours after city officials requested assistance. For all of my law enforcement friends out there, is responding to an “Officer needs help” call generally take about three hours?
President Biden 4, Trump 0
AG
AG Merrick Garland
In 1979, Garland became a special assistant to U.S. Attorney General Benjamin R. Civiletti. He held that post until 1981, after which he joined the Washington, D.C., law firm Arnold & Porter. Garland served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia from 1989 to 1992. During the administration of President Bill Clinton, he worked in the Department of Justice and oversaw several major domestic terrorism prosecutions, including the case against Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols for the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which tragically claimed 168 lives. Garland was appointed as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1997. He served in this capacity until 2021, including a term as chief judge from 2013 to 2020. His extensive legal expertise and commitment to justice led to his nomination as the 86th U.S. Attorney General during the Joe Biden administration in 2021.
Former Trump AG Jeff Sessions, Bill Barr, Jeffrey Rosen
In 1986, during his confirmation hearings for a federal judgeship, Sessions faced allegations of racism. A Senate committee denied him the judgeship after hearing testimony that he had used a racial slur. Sessions had also joked about the Ku Klux Klan, saying he thought they were okay until he heard they smoked marijuana.
Bill Barr, also known as the “Cover-up General” issued pardons in the Iran-Contra affair, thereby eliminating any possibility of transparency, accountability, and justice during the illegal acts of the Reagan administration. Apparently this experience qualified him to obstruct accountability and justice for the illegal and nefarious actions of Trump and his associates documented in “The Mueller Report”.
Jeffrey Rosen is a legal scholar and has held various positions within the legal and academic fields. He has served as the President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, a non-partisan institution focused on promoting awareness and understanding of the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, Rosen has written extensively on legal topics and constitutional law. He was Deputy Attorney General when Barr resigned, and was next in line for the role of AG, serving as acting for less than one month. The fact that he was not a Trump nominee largely explains a corruption-free, career lacking any public ethics controversies.
President Biden 5, Trump 0
Interior
Secretary Deb Haaland
Haaland served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico’s 1st congressional district from 2019 to 2021. During her time in Congress, she focused on critical issues such as environmental justice, climate change, missing and murdered indigenous women, and family-friendly policies. In March 2021, Haaland made history by becoming the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary in the United States.As the 54th United States Secretary of the Interior, she oversees matters related to public lands, natural resources, and tribal affairs. Haaland is an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe and proudly identifies herself as a 35th-generation New Mexican.
Former Sec. Ryan Zinke, David Bernhardt
Zinke, a climate change denier, and his wife were involved in a real estate deal in his backed by David Lesar, the chairman of Halliburton. While the Interior Department was not directly involved, the connection to Halliburton raised concerns due to the company's interests in federal lands and waters for oil exploration and relaxed drilling standards. Like other Trump officials such as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, and former EPA head Scott Pruitt, Zinke faced accusations of abusing taxpayer funds for personal travel. A U.S. government investigation found that Zinke misused his position to advance a development deal in his Montana hometown and subsequently lied to an ethics official about his involvement in the project. Ryan Zinke's tenure was marked by controversies related to real estate dealings, travel expenses, conservation policies, and ethical lapses.
David Bernhardt ‘served’ as the United States Secretary of the Interior under President Donald Trump from April 11, 2019, to January 20, 2021. Before joining the Trump administration, Bernhardt worked as a lobbyist and attorney representing various oil, gas, and mining interests. Critics raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest given his close ties to these industries. Bernhardt's former clients benefited from policies he implemented as Secretary of the Interior, leading to accusations of favoritism and undue influence. Bernhardt played a key role in rolling back environmental regulations and protections during his time as Secretary of the Interior. Critics argued that many of these rollbacks disproportionately benefited industries such as oil and gas, mining, and agriculture while undermining conservation efforts and endangering natural resources. He oversaw the implementation of policies aimed at increasing energy development on public lands, including opening up vast areas for oil and gas leasing and drilling. Almost needless to say about any Trump appointee, Bernhardt faced allegations of ethics violations related to his former lobbying activities and potential conflicts of interest. Critics accused him of using his position to benefit former clients and advance his personal financial interests.
President Biden 6, Trump 0
Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack
Vilsack served as the 40th governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007. During his tenure, Iowa witnessed a peak in new CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) construction. His leadership left a significant impact on the state’s policies and development. Vilsack held the position of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture twice. First, from 2009 to 2017 during the Obama administration. Second, he was confirmed again by the U.S. Senate in 2021 to serve in the Biden administration.
Former Sec. Sonny Perdue
In 2017, Perdue pledged to separate himself from his multimillion-dollar business holdings to avoid conflicts of interest. However, in 2019, he disclosed that he became a trustee of a newly formed fund that included many of the same assets as his original family trust. Watchdog organizations are now calling for an investigation by the Agriculture Department’s inspector general to determine if Perdue violated the ethics agreement he signed during his nomination. The new trust structure he listed on his financial disclosure poses no conflict of interest, according to his office. Perdue was rebuked by the Office of Special Counsel for using a taxpayer-funded event to promote Donald Trump’s reelection, violating the Hatch Act. The office directed him to reimburse the government for travel expenses and other costs related to the event. Perdue’s wealth includes current and former interests in agriculture, trucking, and land development. During his confirmation process and his time as Georgia governor, he faced ethics complaints related to his business dealings. His assets involve a complex web of trusts, land parcels, holding companies, and subsidiaries.
President Biden 7, Trump 0
Commerce
Secretary Gina Raimondo
After law school, Raimondo co-founded Point Judith Capital, Rhode Island’s first venture capital firm. In 2010, she entered politics and was elected general treasurer of Rhode Island. During her tenure, she prioritized reforming the state’s public employee pension system. In 2014, Raimondo was elected governor of Rhode Island, becoming the first woman to hold that position. She was reelected in 2018 and oversaw the state’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Raimondo also served as co-chair of Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign. In 2021, President Joe Biden chose Raimondo to serve as the 40th United States secretary of commerce. She played a leading role in negotiations for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the same year.
Former Sec. Wilbur Ross
Following revelations from the Paradise Papers, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to investigate whether Ross' offshore investments created conflicts of interest. Ross retained a personal stake in a shipping company, Navigator Holdings, which had business ties to a Russian company linked to the Kremlin. Notably, this Russian company had connections to Vladimir Putin. The senators raised concerns about the potential impact of Ross' actions on his offshore investments when those entities had commercial partners with ties to foreign governments. Ross helped negotiate a trade deal that resulted in China increasing exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the U.S. Interestingly, Navigator Holdings stood to benefit from this deal because growth in the LNG sector would also boost the market for liquefied petroleum gas, a product in which the company specialized. The potential for conflicts of interest was evident, especially considering Ross' ties to Navigator Holdings. Ross faced questions about whether he should be excluded from all international shipping matters. His business dealings, including accusations of illicitly siphoning or stealing $120 million, added to the controversy surrounding him.
In 2018, Ross announced that the Census Bureau would include a question on citizenship status in the 2020 Census. Critics argued that the addition of the citizenship question would discourage non-citizens and immigrants from participating in the census, leading to an undercount, particularly among immigrant communities. They feared that an undercount would result in diminished political representation and reduced federal funding for areas with large immigrant populations (precisely the outcome Ross, Trump, and the GOP continuously seek by any means necessary). Several states, cities, and civil rights organizations challenged the citizenship question in court. They argued that the addition of the question violated the U.S. Constitution and federal laws governing the census.
In June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Department of Commerce v. New York that the Trump administration's rationale for including the citizenship question was "contrived" and not supported by the evidence provided. As a result, the Court blocked the administration from adding the citizenship question to the census.
President Biden 8, Trump 0
Labor
Secretary Julie Su
Su started her legal career at the Asian-Pacific American Legal Center. She served as a Litigation Director for Advancing Justice L.A., a non-profit civil rights organization. Su gained prominence as the lead attorney for the El Monte Thai Garment Slavery Case. In this case, she successfully pursued a legal theory that held manufacturers responsible for wage theft and operators who kept garment workers captive. Su’s advocacy also led to the creation of the T-Visa for victims of human trafficking. During Jerry Brown’s tenure as governor, Su headed California’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) as the California Labor Commissioner. Her work focused on enforcing labor laws and protecting workers’ rights. Su currently serves as the acting United States Secretary of Labor since 2023. She was previously the 37th United States Deputy Secretary of Labor since 2021. Su’s nomination for the permanent position has been stalled in the Senate, but the Biden administration plans to keep her in an acting capacity. Julie Su’s journey exemplifies resilience, commitment to justice, and groundbreaking achievements in labor and civil rights.
Former Sec. Eugene Scalia
Scalia represented corporate clients in defense of workplace sexual harassment. If anything should have been a disqualifying factor, it was his earlier work as a Special Assistant to Attorney General William Barr during Barr's first tenure as Attorney General in the early 1990s. (See https://theweek.com/articles/839008/attorney-general-barr-always-been-coverup-specialist).
President Biden 9, Trump 0
Health and Human Services
Secretary Xavier Becerra
Becerra was elected to the California State Assembly in 1990, where he served one term. Subsequently he then became a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Downtown Los Angeles from 1993 to 2017. From January 2017 until March 2021, Becerra served as the Attorney General of California. His work focused on legal matters related to the state, including significant cases and policy initiatives. Xavier Becerra’s journey exemplifies his commitment to public service, legal expertise, and historic achievements in American politics.
Former Sec. Tom Price, Alex Azar
Tom Price served in Congress for 12 years, during which he actively bought and sold more than $300,000 in health care stocks which were directly impacted by the health care legislation he was working on. Price’s financial disclosure revealed ownership of stock in several publicly traded health care companies, including Aetna, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Pfizer. Price’s stock trades were part of a larger pattern within the incoming administration. From Trump’s own conflicts to his nominees’ struggles with ethics paperwork, the new administration signaled a disregard for traditional norms and ethical standards.
Azar was a former Eli Lilly and Co. Executive, essentially Big Pharma. Need I say more?
President Biden 10, Trump 0
Housing and Urban Development
Secretary Marcia Fudge
Before assuming her role as the 18th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2021, she had a distinguished career in public service and law. From 2000 to November 18, 2008, Fudge served as the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Her leadership focused on local governance and community development. Fudge served as the U.S. representative for Ohio’s 11th congressional district from 2008 to 2021. She was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 113th Congress. President Biden nominated Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in December 2020.
Former Sec. Ben Carson
During his presidential campaign, Carson lied about being offered a "full scholarship" to the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Carson does not believe that the Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs. He proposed an alternative theory: Joseph from the Bible built the pyramids to store grain. Carson rejects Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. As a Young Earth creationist, he believes that God created all life on Earth about 6,000 years ago. Carson has implied that Satan is behind evolution, calling it "scientifically, politically correct." In 2018, HUD spent over $31,000 on dining room furniture for Carson's office, potentially violating federal law. The controversy centered around redecoration costs exceeding the approved limit without Congressional approval.
President Biden 11, Trump 0
Transportation
Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Buttigieg attended Harvard University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and literature in 2004. He later studied at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford’s Pembroke College in 2007. In 2009, Buttigieg became an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, serving until 2017. At the time he took office in January 2012, Buttigieg was the youngest mayor of an American city (South Bend, Indiana) with more than 100,000 residents. During his tenure, he carried out an ambitious program to demolish or repair more than 1,000 abandoned houses in South Bend. His presidential campaign emphasized themes of generational change, unity, and pragmatic solutions.
Former Sec. Elaine Chao
A government watchdog alleged that Chao, while in office, abused her power to benefit her family’s shipping company, Foremost Group, which has ties to China. She is married to Mitch McConnell. Trump recently attacked his former Secretary calling her a racist nickname. By endorsing Trump’s 2024 candidacy, McConnell joined a select list of Republicans who have famously failed to defend their spouses from Trump’s insults and abuse. Nevertheless, former Secretary Chao was admirably capable of defending herself while Mitch scurried away. She said Trump’s remarks say "a whole lot more about him [Trump] than it will ever say about Asian Americans."
While I have to give credit to former Secretary Chao for defending herself from the Orange Moron, she loses points for her judgement in marrying McConnell.
Therefore: President Biden 12, Trump 0
Energy
Secretary Jennifer Granholm
In 1998, Granholm ran for attorney general of Michigan, defeating Republican nominee John Smietanka. She ran for governor of Michigan in 2002 and was elected as the state’s first female governor. Granholm was re-elected in 2006. After leaving public office, she took a position at UC Berkeley and co-authored the book “A Governor’s Story: The Fight for Jobs and America’s Future” with her husband Daniel Mulhern.
Former Sec. Rick Perry, Dan Brouilette
In 2014, Perry was indicted by a Travis County grand jury on charges related to his threat to veto $7.5 million in funding for the Public Integrity Unit. The first charge was abuse of official capacity, and the second charge was coercion of a public servant. The indictment stemmed from Perry seeking the resignation of Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg after she was convicted of drunk driving and incarcerated. As Texas governor, Perry faced criticism for his 2007 executive order requiring all girls in Texas to be vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus). Critics argued that the decision bypassed the legislature and raised concerns about parental rights and the vaccine's safety. And yes, Rick Perry is famous for not being able to remember the names of three federal agencies.
Former Sec. Dan Brouillette (seemingly) broke the pattern of widespread incompetence, corruption, and ethics violations of most other Trump appointees. As Secretary of Energy, Brouillette focused on advancing the Trump administration's energy policies, which emphasized promoting domestic energy production through oil and coal extraction, and nuclear energy. It is unknown as to whether Brouillette could remember three things at once (unlike his predecessor).
President Biden 13, Trump 0
Education
Secretary Dr. Miguel Cardona
Secretary Cardona previously served as the commissioner of education in Connecticut, a position he held after being appointed by Governor Ned Lamont in August 2019. In this role, Secretary Cardona faced the unprecedented challenge of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and led safe school reopening efforts in the state. The state was the first in the nation to provide equitable access to learning devices amid the pandemic, being one of the first in the country to safely reopen. Recognizing the increased importance of providing resources for the social-emotional health of students and staff, the state also collaborated with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and other public-private partnerships to provide free social and emotional learning courses for students.
Former Sec. Betsy DeVos
Betsy DeVos had investments in companies involved in student loan debt collection such as Performant Recovery Inc., which previously operated as Diversified Collection Services Inc. Performant had more than $458 million in federal student loans in collections at the end of the 2016 fiscal year. DeVos was required to testify in a class-action lawsuit related to her handling of student loan forgiveness claims. The lawsuit involved delays in decision-making and the denial of a significant number of applications for loan forgiveness. Her testimony was sought by former students of now-defunct for-profit colleges seeking to have their federal student loan debt forgiven. DeVos rolled back Obama-era guidance on how universities should handle sexual assault complaints on campus. DeVos had no background in education other than her involvement in profiting from student loan debt. She deplored public education, strongly supported charter schools, which are publicly funded but operate independently of the state school system. She also overturned regulations on for-profit colleges, raising concerns about student protections and accountability. Her brother, Erik Prince was named in The Mueller Report for trying to establish discussions between Putin and Trump prior to Trump's inauguration. Her husband is part-heir to Amway and ran their parent company from 1993-2002. While Trump appointed many corrupt incompetents and grifters, Betsy, from my perspective, was among the bottom of the barrel.
President Biden 14, Trump 0
Veterans Affairs
Secretary Denis McDonough
McDonough worked as an aide for the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, focusing on Latin America. He served as a senior foreign policy advisor to Senator Tom Daschle and later became legislative director for Senator Ken Salazar. McDonough was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. In the Obama administration, he served as chief of staff at the National Security Council and Deputy National Security Advisor. He then became White House Chief of Staff for President Barack Obama’s full second term from 2013 to 2017.
Former Sec. Robert Wilkie
A report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) claimed that Wilkie attempted to discredit a woman who alleged she had been sexually assaulted at a Veterans Administration (VA) medical facility.The woman, Andrea Goldstein, reported that a contractor at the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C., had inappropriately touched her. During the subsequent inquiry by the OIG, investigators found that Wilkie questioned Goldstein’s credibility and suggested she had made similar complaints in the past. Advocacy groups for military veterans, including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), demanded Wilkie’s immediate removal.
President Biden 15, Trump 0
Homeland Security
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
Mayorkas served as the United States Attorney for the Central District of California from December 21, 1998, to April 20, 2001. During this time, he oversaw the prosecution of high-profile criminal cases in Los Angeles. From August 12, 2009, to December 23, 2013, Mayorkas served as the Director of USCIS. In this role, he led efforts to safeguard the integrity of the immigration system and implemented the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process. From December 23, 2013, to October 28, 2016, Mayorkas served as the Deputy Secretary of DHS during the Obama administration. His responsibilities included overseeing various aspects of homeland security and immigration policy. He was recently used in a sham impeachment by the GOP-controlled House to draw attention to the U.S. border with Mexico, a matter the House GOP won’t fund or resolve, and have scurrilous delight in attempting to blame shift for purely political reasons.
Former Sec. Chad Wolf
Investigations revealed that text messages related to the January 6 attack were deleted. This issue extends beyond the Secret Service and also involves Chad Wolf and Ken Cuccinelli, who were running DHS at the time. In September 2020, a whistleblower accused Wolf of ordering staff to stop reporting on threats from Russia. This accusation raised concerns about transparency and national security. Starting in July 2020, Wolf was prominently involved in the deployment of federal law enforcement forces to cities like Portland, Oregon. These deployments were met with controversy and protests, as federal agents clashed with demonstrators. In 2018, Wolf was involved in the development of the Trump administration’s family separation policy. This controversial policy led to the separation of over 2,800 migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
President Biden 16, Trump 0
Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Michael Regan
Regan began his career as an environmental regulator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Clinton and Bush administrations from 1998 to 2008.After his tenure at the EPA, Regan joined the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). He held various roles at EDF, ultimately becoming the associate vice president for clean energy and a Southeast regional director. His work at EDF focused on clean energy and environmental advocacy. In 2017, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper appointed Regan as the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. During his tenure, Regan launched the state's Environmental Justice and Equity Board, which advised on advancing environmental justice and community engagement. He also worked on developing the state's Clean Energy Plan, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move toward carbon neutrality by 2050. Michael Regan's elevation to the role of EPA administrator was widely praised by environmental groups due to his track record in addressing environmental racism and supporting climate change policies. His commitment to environmental justice continues in his current role as the 16th administrator of the EPA, where he is the first African American man to serve in this position.
Former Admin. Scott Pruitt, Andrew Wheeler
Pruitt faced allegations of excessive spending on travel, including frequent first-class flights at taxpayer expense. He also spent substantial amounts on security detail, including luxury hotels and private flights. Pruitt maintained close ties to industry lobbyists and representatives. His decisions often aligned with the interests of fossil fuel companies, leading to accusations of favoritism and conflicts of interest. Pruitt allegedly used his position to benefit himself personally. Examples include having staff run personal errands, such as searching for a specific moisturizing lotion, and using government resources for non-official purposes. Pruitt oversaw the rollback of numerous environmental regulations during his tenure which weakened protections related to air and water quality, climate change, and toxic substances. Pruitt was the subject of multiple ethics investigations related to his conduct, spending, and interactions with industry representatives. His actions raised serious questions about transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards.
Wheeler worked as a lobbyist at Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting. His clients included coal magnate Robert E. Murray, and he lobbied against the Obama Administration’s environmental regulations. Wheeler also served as chief counsel to the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and to Senator James Inhofe, known for his skepticism of climate change.
If you are still keeping score —> President Biden 17, Trump/Putin/MAGA 0
After carefully reviewing President Biden’s appointments it should be clear that there is a vast difference between experienced, talented, people with integrity leading key agencies in the Biden Cabinet versus the corrupt, incompetent, den of thieves comprising the Trump Cabinet. In fact many in the Trump Cabinet despised the actual agency they were leading. Can you imagine being the CEO of your own company and thinking -”You know who needs to lead by new computer division? -Someone without experience who hates computers.”
Your vote matters. Leadership Matters.
Super job. The last paragraph wraps it all up in a common-sense nutshell. As regards Biden's age and abilities, I propose a simple bicycle race between the candidates. To be followed by a simple written civics exam. I'd even throw in a televised golf match -- but they have to walk the course,... and it's an automatic DQ for posting the wrong score to your card, of course.
Excellent assessment of what’s at stake that’s often overlooked. Effective sensible leadership matters. We don’t need grifting in lackeys. We need common sense leadership working for all Americans. We don’t need another organized crime spree of corruption