Trump Cabinet members actions and issues: on Homeland Security
Jim Bridenstine:
Intentional explosions in space pose risk to all spaceflight
NASA and says that space debris created by the India's intentional explosion should be considered a threat to the International Space Station and the astronauts on board.India destroyed one of its satellites with a missile last week, a move the
Indian Prime Minister welcomed as one that established India "as a space power." But NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that it posed an "unacceptable" threat to astronauts on board the ISS.
"What we are tracking right now, objects 4 inches or
bigger --about 60 pieces have been tracked," he said. He said 24 of those pieces were traveling above the ISS, even though the satellite had been orbiting 185 miles above the Earth, lower than the station, which orbits roughly 250 miles above the
Earth. "That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station," Bridenstine added. "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight."
Source: Business Insider on Trump Cabinet (NASA)
Apr 2, 2019
Donald Trump:
Bar transgender troops from enlisting in military
The Defense Department has approved a new policy that will largely bar transgender troops & military recruits from transitioning to another sex, and require most individuals to serve in their birth gender. The memo falls short of the all-out transgender
ban that was initially ordered by President Donald Trump. But it will likely force the military to eventually discharge transgender individuals who need hormone treatments or surgery and can't or won't serve in their birth gender.Under the new rules,
currently serving transgender troops and anyone who has signed an enlistment contract by April 12 may continue with plans for hormone treatments and gender transition if they have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. But after April 12, no one with
gender dysphoria who is taking hormones or has transitioned to another gender will be allowed to enlist. And any currently serving troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria after April 12 will be barred from taking hormones or getting transition surgery.
Source: NBC News on Trump Cabinet, "Transgender Rule"
Mar 13, 2019
Nancy Pelosi:
Ban on transgender troops enlisting in military is cowardly
The Defense Department has approved a new policy that will largely bar transgender troops and military recruits from transitioning to another sex, and require most individuals to serve in their birth gender. The memo comes after a lengthy & complicated
legal battle. It falls short of the all-out transgender ban that was initially ordered by President Donald Trump. But it will likely force the military to eventually discharge transgender individuals who need hormone treatments or surgery and can't or
won't serve in their birth gender.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the ban "cowardly." "The President's revival of his bigoted, disgusting ban on transgender servicemembers is a stunning attack on the patriots who keep us safe and
on the most fundamental ideals of our nation," the California Democrat said. "The President's years-long insistence on his cowardly ban makes clear that prejudice, not patriotism, guides his decisions."
Source: NBC News on Trump Cabinet, "Transgender Rule"
Mar 13, 2019
Daniel Coats:
1980s & 1990s: strengthen our national defense and security
From 1981 to 1999, Coats served in the U.S. House of Representatives and then in the U.S. Senate. During this time in Congress, he served on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence,
where he worked on ways to strengthen our national defense and security. In keeping with a term-limits pledge he had made, Coats retired from the Senate in 1999.
Source: DNI.gov official website for Trump Cabinet biographies
Dec 31, 2018
Rick Perry:
1970s: flew C-130 tactical airlift aircraft in Air Force
Between 1972 and 1977, Perry served in the U.S. Air Force flying C-130 tactical airlift aircraft in Europe and the Middle East. He is a lifetime member of both the NRA and American Legion Post #75. Prior to being elected Lieutenant Governor in 1998,
he served two terms as Texas Commissioner of Agriculture and three terms in the Texas House of Representatives.Perry married his childhood sweetheart, Anita, in 1982. They have two children and two beautiful granddaughters.
Source: Energy.gov official website for Trump Cabinet biographies
Dec 31, 2018
Sonny Perdue:
Food security is a key component of national security
Perdue's policies as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will be guided by four principles which will inform his decisions.- He will maximize the ability of the men and women of America's agriculture and agribusiness sector to create jobs, to produce
and sell the foods and fiber that feed and clothe the world, and to reap the earned reward of their labor.
- He will prioritize customer service every day for American taxpayers and consumers: efficiently, effectively, and with the utmost integrity.
-
USDA will continue to serve in the critical role of ensuring the food we put on the table to feed our families meets the strict safety standards we've established. Food security is a key component of national security,
because hunger and peace do not long coexist.
- Perdue will always remember that America's agricultural bounty comes directly from the land.
Source: USDA official website for Trump Cabinet biographies
Dec 31, 2018
Wilbur Ross:
Invoke national security to restrict imports on uranium
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross took a first step to expanding the trade war to uranium Wednesday, saying he would launch an investigation into whether quotas should be used to restrict imports in the name of national security.
But utilities with nuclear plants fear such actions would raise the cost of electricity and nuclear experts said the military already has stockpiles big enough to last for decades.
Source: WashingtonPost.com, "Limits on Uranium": 2018 Trump Cabinet
Jul 18, 2018
David Shulkin:
Largest modernization effort at VA in decades
Under President Trump's leadership, VA is engaged in the largest transformation and modernization effort in decades. As part of this effort, the department is tackling head-on issues that have lingered for years, including accountability,
whistleblower protection, improving transparency and customer service for Veterans and expanding suicide prevention and mental health care services.As outlined in tonight's address, VA will have another groundbreaking year in expanding and improving
our services for Veterans, particularly when it comes giving them more choices over their health care decisions, & improving yet again on the timeliness of our decisions on Veterans' benefits.
The whole country was moved when President Trump recognized
young Preston Sharp for his dedication & leadership in planting over 40,000 flags at our nation's cemeteries to recognize America's heroes. He has inspired hundreds of volunteers across the country who are looking to expand his effort to all 50 states.
Source: Trump Cabinet statements on 2018 State of the Union
Jan 30, 2018
David Shulkin:
A voluntary military might not work without good VA care
"If we have a system that, when people are deciding if they want to serve their country, that they don't believe that when they get home, they have a system that's going to take care of them that they can rely upon, the approach towards having a
voluntary Army and people who want to come and protect the country is at risk, and I think we have seen some recent reports that it's tougher to meet recruitment standards."
Source: Washington Examiner on 2017 Trump Cabinet
Nov 17, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2021