With so much going on, the new confirmation hearings, which would normally be more high-profile, have slipped in the public consciousness.
Ronny Jackson ended up withdrawing from the Veterans job after allegations that he dished out sleeping pills willy-nilly and got drunk several times on foreign trips. Strange, as allegations that he was inexperienced in management and completely unsuitable for the role didn’t seem to have affected his chances. Apparently, he will not be going back to being White House doctor, so we may never hear of him again, unless he becomes a TV contributor.
Mike Pompeo was eventually confirmed as Sec of State, though his nomination looked borderline at times. He got through thanks to switches from a few Democrat Senators who are up for re-election this year in States Trump won. There's no doubt this guy is a bright spark - first place in his class at Westpoint, Harvard law degree, entrepreneur, Congressman, CIA Director. He has just been to North Korea for the second time in a month, preparing the ground for the big meeting. He is the definitive conservative - heavily involved hands-on in the Evangelical Presbyterian church, anti-abortion, anti same-sex marriage, NRA member, climate change sceptic, and has said Edward Snowden should be brought back for the death penalty. He is seen as a hard-liner on Iran and, until now, North Korea. He is already more high-profile than Tillerson ever was and is much more in sync with Trump's thinking. Whether you agree with their politics or not, the President should have a close team which shares his vision and the new Pompeo/Bolton axis is the kind of team Trump should have appointed in the first place.
Gina Hespel is in trouble. A 33-year CIA career should make her a shoo-in as Director, but the historical torture allegations keep coming back. Also, I reckon people find it difficult to take Darlene seriously as a candidate. WaPo reports that she tried to withdraw last Friday, but the WH persuaded her to stick with it. She has been criticised for avoiding questions at her confirmation hearing yesterday:
John McCain later issued a statement from his sickbed calling on Senators to reject her. "Ms Haspel's role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing. Her refusal to acknowledge torture's immorality is disqualifying. I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination."
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