Trump Cabinet members actions and issues: on Principles & Values


Betsy DeVos: Resigned following violent protest at U.S Capitol

Betsy DeVos submitted her letter of resignation one day after the riot. She called the mob's behavior "unconscionable" and said the president's rhetoric made an unmistakable impact on the situation. "We should be highlighting and celebrating your Administration's many accomplishments on behalf of the American people," DeVos wrote. "Instead, we are left to clean up the mess caused by violent protestors overrunning the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to undermine the people's business."
Source: 19th News e-zine on Trump Cabinet Jan 11, 2021

Elaine Chao: Resigned following riot at the U.S. Capitol

Elaine Chao was the first Cabinet-level official to step down and promised to help her successor, Pete Buttigieg, transition into the role. "Yesterday our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the President stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed," said Chao. "As I'm sure is the case with many of you, it has deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside."
Source: 19th News e-zine on Trump Cabinet Jan 11, 2021

Donald Trump: Pardons Michael Flynn and Roger Stone in Russia probe

President Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn despite Flynn's guilty plea to lying to the FBI about his Russia contacts. The pardon, coming in the waning days of the Trump administration, takes direct aim at a Russia investigation that he has long insisted was motivated by political bias.

"It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon," Trump tweeted. "Congratulations to @GenFlynn and his wonderful family!"

Flynn is the 2nd Trump associate convicted in the Russia probe to be granted clemency by the president. Trump commuted the sentence of longtime confidant Roger Stone just days before he was to report to prison. It is part of a broader effort to undo the results of an investigation that for years has shadowed his administration and yielded criminal charges against a half dozen associates.

The action voids the criminal case against Flynn. Democrats lambasted the pardon, calling it undeserved & unprincipled.

Source: Columbia Daily Tribune on 2020 Trump Cabinet Nov 25, 2020

Mike Pompeo: Denies that Trump undercuts US support for free elections

At his news conference, Pompeo roundly dismissed a question about whether Trump's unfounded protests have created problems for U.S. credibility. "You asked a question that is ridiculous," he responded. "This department cares deeply to make sure that elections around the world are safe and secure and free and fair, and my officers risk their lives to ensure that that happens."
Source: A.P., "Denying Biden's Victory", on Trump Cabinet Nov 13, 2020

Ben Carson: Coronavirus: Go about normal activities if you're healthy

Q: We've heard the president say, for example, that he's going to continue with political rallies in the face of this. Is this sending the right message?

CARSON: Going to a rally, if you're a healthy individual and you're taking the precautions that have been placed out there, there's no reason that you shouldn't go. However, if you belong to one of those categories of high risk, obviously, you need to think twice about that.

Q: You seem to be putting all the responsibility back on individuals, saying that they should be thinking for themselves. What broader measures need to be taken?

CARSON: Those recommendations will be coming out from the CDC. Right now, the recommendation is as I just prescribed--go about your normal daily activities if you are healthy. If you are not healthy, think very seriously about attending places where there are crowds.

Source: ABC This Week 2020 interview of Trump Cabinet Mar 8, 2020

Rick Perry: Trump Is imperfect, but perhaps he's the 'Chosen One'

Rick Perry told "Fox & Friends" that he believes President Trump is the "chosen one." "God's used imperfect people all through history. King David wasn't perfect. Saul wasn't perfect. Solomon wasn't perfect." He added: "And I actually gave the president a little-one pager on those Old Testament kings about a month ago and I shared it with him.
Source: PoliticalWire.com on 2019 Trump Cabinet Nov 25, 2019

Daniel Coats: Founded charity, The Foundation for American Renewal

Dan and Marsha Coats met in college and have three adult children. They have been active in charitable causes, including The Foundation for American Renewal, which they formed together. DNI Coats has served as President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and on the boards of many civic and volunteer organizations.
Source: DNI.gov official website for Trump Cabinet biographies Dec 31, 2018

Mick Mulvaney: Lifelong Carolinas resident; graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill

A lifelong Carolinas resident, he attended Georgetown University, graduating with honors in International Economics, Commerce, and Finance and graduated as an Honor Scholar--the highest award given to students of the Georgetown School of Foreign Service.

After college, Mick received his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full academic scholarship. He completed his formal education at Harvard Business School's OPM program in 2006.

Source: OMB official website for Trump Cabinet biographies Dec 31, 2018

Mick Mulvaney: Founding member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Mission

Mick was a founding member of the Indian Land Rotary, a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, and founding member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Mission.

Mick and Pam were married in 1998, and are the proud parents of triplets: James, Caroline, and Finnegan, and two great danes: Guiness and Harper.

Source: OMB official website for Trump Cabinet biographies Dec 31, 2018

Rick Perry: Longest-serving governor In Texas history

Secretary Perry is a veteran of the United States Air Force, a former farmer and rancher, and the longest-serving governor In Texas history, having led the world's 12th-largest economy from 2000 to 2015. He has devoted his adult life to creating prosperity and opportunity for families.

Prior to joining the Administration as Secretary of Energy, Perry served as the 47th Governor of Texas. As Governor of the Lone Star State, Perry championed conservative principles that helped Texas become America's economic engine. Under Perry's leadership, Texas became a national leader for job creation, innovation, and population growth.

Perry grew up the son of tenant farmers in the tiny West Texas community of Paint Creek. He was one of the first in his family to go to college, earning a degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University, where he was also a member of the Corps of Cadets and a Yell Leader.

Source: Energy.gov official website for Trump Cabinet biographies Dec 31, 2018

Nikki Haley: Humbling to be a role model for girls and women

"Young girls and women come up and say something, and it's humbling but I get it," she tells me. "The reason I get it is because women balance so much and they try so hard to be great at everything, and it's not so much as they look up to me, but I think they see one of them doing it, too." Haley says, "We're doing the best we can and we know that there is someone out there looking at us as we do it, and we don't want to disappoint."
Source: The Washington Examiner on Trump Cabinet Dec 13, 2018

Tom Price: Accused of insider trading; resigned due to travel expenses

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned from his position after it was revealed he utilized private aircraft at taxpayer expense for as many as 26 government trips in recent months.

At his confirmation hearing, Price was grilled by Senate Democrats, who were concerned about Price's stock trades while he was a congressman. Democrats questioned Price over his purchasing of shares of an Australian drug company and accused him of insider trading. "Is that not a stock tip?" the top Democrat on the panel, Wisconsin Sen. Patty Murray asked. "I had no access to nonpublic information," Price insisted.

Price was also asked about his March 2016 purchase and sale of stock in a hip replacement manufacturing company as he introduced legislation that could have helped that company. "The stock was bought by a broker. I wasn't making those decisions," Price replied.

Source: ABC News on Trump Cabinet resignations Sep 29, 2017

Ryan Zinke: No safe haven for neo-Nazi white nationalists

Top Montana lawmakers warned neo-Nazis they would find "no safe haven" for a rally that could include guns planned for next month in a mountain town where white nationalists have threatened Jewish residents.

The lawmakers include both Democrats and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, recently picked by Republican President-elect Donald Trump to be interior secretary. "We say to those few who seek to publicize anti-Semitic views that they shall find no safe haven here," Zinke wrote in an open letter also signed by Gov. Steve Bullock (D); U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R), and Jon Tester (D); and Attorney General Tim Fox (R).

Neo-Nazis plan to march in January in the mountain ski town of Whitefish in Montana's remote and rugged northwestern reaches. The march is to support the mother of white nationalist leader Richard Spencer. Sherry Spencer is facing pressure from community members to sell a building she owns in Whitefish because of its ties to her son and to disavow her son's beliefs.

Source: Religion News Service on Trump Cabinet Dec 28, 2016

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2020 Presidential contenders on Principles & Values:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Dec 03, 2021