Even as leading Democrats decry Trump's unorthodox cabinet nominations as "agents of his contempt, rage and vengeance", his supporters are interpreting the selections as evidence that he has finally broken free of the Washington establishment.
Democrats are fuming that Trump wants to put a vaccine denier in charge of health, former Fox News presenters at the helm of the Pentagon and transportation department, and at the prospect of Elon Musk slashing and burning his way through federal bureaucracy.
Even senior Republicans have been less than enthusiastic about some of Trump's choices. The tapping of the former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz to be the US attorney general ran into the sand after just a few days over allegations of sex with a minor.
But many of those who voted for Trump see other priorities.
Neil Shaffer, chair of the Republican party in Howard county, Iowa, which twice voted for Barack Obama but has swung ever more to Trump with each election, has never been an enthusiast - even if he voted for him three times.
"This time I was still a little lukewarm on the whole thing but I'm very impressed with the people he's surrounded himself with, especially Tulsi Gabbard and Bobby Kennedy and Elon Musk. With each one of these people there's a big, big part of their appointment that is reforming and streamlining," said Shaffer.
This story is from the November 29, 2024 edition of The Guardian Weekly.
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This story is from the November 29, 2024 edition of The Guardian Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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