In the aftermath of Election Day, President-elect Donald Trump revels in his second victory as he carefully announces his choices for Cabinet roles. Meanwhile, his associate, JD Vance, finds himself less fortunate. A critical part of the scene in these recent weeks has been Elon Musk. Despite his past claims of wanting to ‘stay out of politics’, the billionaire plunged into the political arena, coming down firmly on the side of Trump, aligning himself closely with the President-elect.
Musk, once just a titan of industry, has set up camp at Mar-a-Lago and taking to social media with gusto about his fresh advisory role. The founder of Tesla has found himself in an influential position in Trump’s transition, which is evident through his appointment to supervisory roles in key government departments, as well.
An interesting development that Musk will oversee is the vehicle he and Vivek Ramaswamy will pilot: a freshly-pieced-together ‘Department of Government Efficiency’. This new entity has the singular purpose of nullifying other agencies. The irony of creating an organization to eliminate other organizations in the name of efficiency is not lost on the observant eye.
Such an undertaking may seem to carry more than a hint of self-service, yet it illuminates the way power is brokered in these times. Musk, the planet’s wealthiest individual, effectively galvanized his wealth and expansive social media base to amplify Trump’s campaign. Now that the election is won, Musk is reaping the fruits of his assistance – power being the highest order of compensation.
With such wide berth to purge government roles at will, the question that presents itself is what stops Musk from ousting regulators that act as checks and balances on his own empire? The unending vigilance on such relationships will be critical in the forthcoming years in the nation’s capital.
Placed under the microscope is the unsettling dynamic where a private citizen gains dominion chiefly through their proximity to the head of state. This vividly casts a shadow over the authority of the President-elect’s veep, who struggles to find relevance in the prevailing order. Despite his official title of Vice President, Vance struggles to find himself admitted into the elite inner circles of this administration.
Only a week ago, Trump posted a snapshot of his close associates enjoying a casual fast-food meal. We can spot familiar faces ? Musk, Don Jr., the House Speaker Mike Johnson ? yet Vance is conspicuously absent. This absence mirrors Vance’s current position in this new political landscape.
Vance’s job during this transition period was to persuade Senate Republicans to back and confirm Trump’s Cabinet choices. While others find their places at the table, Vance grappled with the task of rallying support for Matt Gaetz among Senate Republicans. But this effort was futile as Gaetz retracted his nomination for Attorney General just a day later.
Furthermore, Vance was found neglecting his own duties while endeavoring to aid Trump fill a non-existent vacancy. In a post he later removed from social media, Vance defended his absence from Senate votes as he was preoccupied with interviewing potential candidates for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s top spot.
This is peculiar given the tenure for the current FBI Director, Christopher Wray, runs until 2027. Trump had personally selected Wray in 2017 to replace the ousted Director, James Comey. Vance inadvertently revealing President-elect Trump’s intent to replace Wray, the chief of the nation’s premier law enforcement agency, exposed how traditional norms are being broken.
Trump’s style of governance has been marked by an increasingly defiant approach to established norms — a bold stance that leaves members of his own party in a difficult position. Senate Republicans now face a decision of whether to challenge this norm-breaking behavior or to turn a blind eye.
Already, there have been murmurs of Trump vying to steer his largely unqualified Cabinet members through the confirmation process using the controversial ‘recess appointments’ procedure, thereby bypassing potential hold-ups. Over the following four years, the mantle lies with Senate Republicans to demonstrate that Congress remains an equivalent and independent branch of our government.
The danger of buckling to Trump’s push for executive power lies in the consequences. If they allow increasing consolidation of power in the executive, figures like Elon Musk will reap the rewards. The semblance of balance in our governance could be further disrupted, allowing influential individuals to hold sway.
As for JD Vance, it appears his role in the coming term is mere spectator, being pulled along with the tide of events. Attaining a place in the inner circles of this administration seems just out of his reach, leaving him on the sidelines while important decisions are being made.