We can’t stop him anymore. Determined to take action from day one of his second and final term – unless he manages to amend the Constitution – Donald Trump continues to expand his teams. The president-elect on Friday evening designated Karoline Leavitt, 27, as White House spokeswoman, a position as prestigious as it is obvious. The young press secretary, who campaigned with the Republicans, will be the face of the White House that Americans will see every day from January 20th.
This strategic position involves answering press questions on camera almost daily. Karine Jean-Pierre, the current holder of the position within the Biden administration, has held this position since May 2022 at the age of 50. During his first term, Trump used four spokespeople: Sean Spicer (53 years old today), Sarah Huckabee Sanders (42), Stephanie Grisham (48) and Kayleigh McEnany (36).
“Karoline is smart, strong and has proven to be a very effective communicator,” Donald Trump said in a statement posted to his X account. “I am confident she will excel on the podium and help get our message across to the American people.” She will work under the leadership of Steven Cheung, the campaign’s communications director, who will take the same title at the White House.
Born in 1997, the young woman worked in Washington in Elise Stefanik’s office. The avid Trumpist, whom the new president has already designated ambassador to the United Nations, distinguished herself in December 2023 when she led the presidents of the prestigious universities of Harvard, Pennsylvania and MIT to recognize their inertia in the face of the rise of anti-terrorism. Semitism on their campuses.
His personal lawyers at the helm of Justice
Leavitt is not loyal in the slightest, but to support the controversial Matt Gaetz at the Justice Department, the president has appointed three of his personal lawyers as numbers two, three and four at the Justice Department. Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and John Sauer, experienced criminal lawyers, will lead prosecutors across the country.
Blanche and Bove defended Trump in the Stormy Daniel case, in which the New York billionaire was convicted on May 30 of falsifying his company’s accounts to hide the bribe he paid the actress to buy her silence about a past adulterous relationship. Blanche is expected to become deputy attorney general and Bove is expected to become senior associate deputy attorney general.
John Sauer, who successfully argued for presidential immunity before the Supreme Court, inherits the fourth-top job in the Justice Department. The move, in addition to helping Trump avoid federal charges against him, could also prove critical in ending the New York commercial fraud prosecution, which is under appeal. As “Solicitor General”, or “general counsel”, he should represent the American government before the nine judges who make up the High Court.
Small inconvenience inside
Today, Donald Trump’s team announced the creation of a National Energy Council (NEC), whose mission will be to “oversee America’s path to energy dominance,” and named the governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum. On Thursday evening, however, Trump had entrusted Burgum with another mission. “He will run the Home Office and he will be fantastic,” he said.
A hard worker who made his fortune in software before entering politics, Burgum, 68, ran for the Republican nomination from June to December 2023. His campaign themes were energy, the economy and national security, but his candidacy did not arouse enthusiasm and he withdrew. Announcing his support for Trump, he also expressed his refusal to run for a third term as governor.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into the hottest political stories. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Emily Carter, an expert in American politics and communication strategies. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Carter.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in American politics, to say the least.
Editor: Absolutely. Let’s dive right into it. The recent announcement from Donald Trump designating Karoline Leavitt as the new White House spokeswoman has caught a lot of attention. What are your thoughts on Trump’s choice of a 27-year-old for such a high-profile position?
Carter: It’s certainly a bold move. By appointing someone young and dynamic like Leavitt, Trump appears to be signaling a shift towards a new generation of leadership within his administration. This could resonate well with younger voters who may feel more disconnected from traditional political figures.
Editor: Interesting angle. Leavitt has a notable background, having worked in Elise Stefanik’s office and leading initiatives against anti-Semitism at prestigious universities. How do you think her previous experiences will influence her role as Press Secretary?
Carter: Her background suggests she’s not just a spokesperson, but someone with a social conscience who can navigate complex issues. It reflects Trump’s strategy of bringing in individuals who can tackle narratives that resonate on cultural and social levels. It also aligns with his approach to energizing his base by focusing on hot-button topics that matter to them.
Editor: Speaking of strategy, Trump is appointing his personal lawyers to significant positions within the Justice Department. How do you evaluate the implications of this move, especially regarding objectivity and independence within the department?
Carter: This raises important concerns about the integrity of the Justice Department. Appointing personal lawyers who have been involved in his legal defenses could undermine the perception of its independence. It signals a broader trend of blurring lines between political loyalty and legal obligations, which might challenge the traditional expectations of justice being impartial.
Editor: That’s a critical point. Given these appointments and Leavitt’s new role, how do you foresee Trump’s communication strategy shaping up in his final term?
Carter: Based on past behavior, we can expect a more aggressive and combative communication style. With Leavitt as the face of the White House, Trump will likely leverage her skills for rapid-fire responses to press queries, particularly those that challenge his agenda. This strategy could galvanize support among his base while alienating opponents further.
Editor: Definitely a strategy that emphasizes loyalty and a strong messaging framework. Lastly, do you think these developments will have any impact on the broader political landscape as we approach the next election cycle?
Carter: They absolutely will. Trump is positioning his administration to be more aggressive in pushing his agenda—both domestically and internationally. This could lead to intensified partisan divides but also rallying effects within the Republican Party. How effectively they communicate and execute their policies over the next few years will be crucial as they seek not just to maintain power but to expand their base.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter. Your insights provide a comprehensive view of the challenges and strategies facing the upcoming administration. We appreciate you sharing your expertise with us.
Carter: It was my pleasure! I’m looking forward to seeing how these developments unfold. Thank you!
