Russ Read, DCNF
Several of president-elect Donald Trump’s national security cabinet picks disagree with one or more of his positions, but Trump seems to have no problem with it.
Trump’s future CIA director, secretary of defense and secretary of state all differed from Trump during their respective confirmation hearings this week, on issues ranging from the Iran nuclear deal to enhanced interrogation techniques. In response, Trump tweeted Friday morning that he approved of his nominees’ performances during the hearings, and encouraged them to think for themselves.
“All of my Cabinet nominee [sic] are looking good and doing a great job,” said Trump. “I want them to be themselves and express their own thoughts, not mine!”
All of my Cabinet nominee are looking good and doing a great job. I want them to be themselves and express their own thoughts, not mine!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2017
Secretary of Defense nominee James Mattis noted Thursday that while he did not approve of the Iran nuclear deal, he would believed it was important to enforce it.
“When America gives her word, we have to live up to it,” said Mattis during his testimony.
Trump initially told supporters he would “tear up” the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as soon as he entered office. His campaign later walked back those comments, saying it would instead be renegotiated.
Rep. Mike Pompeo, Trump’s nominee for director of the CIA, broke from the president-elect on enhanced interrogation techniques, like waterboarding. He told senators Thursday that he would “absolutely not” follow orders to use such techniques if confirmed to his new position.
“Moreover, I can’t imagine that I would be asked by the president-elect,” said Pompeo.
Trump called for a return of enhanced interrogation techniques, which are now illegal, during his campaign.
Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson also broke from the president-elect when he voiced continued support for allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during his confirmation hearing Wednesday. Trump campaigned with a tough stance toward NATO, promising he would only defend NATO allies “if they fulfill their obligations.” NATO members are required to spend at least two percent of the their gross domestic product on defense, yet a vast majority of NATO members consistently fail to reach that mark.
Tillerson, Pompeo and Mattis will all sit on Trump’s National Security Council if confirmed to their respective positions, thus giving each of them crucial input on major decisions shaping the future of America’s defense policy.
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