Trump prioritizes loyalty in new administration appointments

Donald Trump is prioritizing loyalty as he fills his new administration, selecting many personal friends and familiar faces from conservative media. This approach contrasts with his first term, where he faced significant pushback from aides and advisers. Trump's new picks include individuals with varying levels of experience, such as Lee Zeldin for the Environmental Protection Agency and Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, who lacks Pentagon experience. Critics express concern that this focus on loyalty may undermine effective governance. Trump's choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Department of Health and Human Services highlights his commitment to loyalty over expertise. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, previously opposed COVID-19 vaccines, yet his endorsement was influential in Trump's decision.