In the days following his reelection, Donald Trump started unveiling his Cabinet choices. These are the folks who'll run the federal government for the next four years. Among them are some regular Republicans, like Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, and some wildly unqualified extremists, such as Representative Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern, on the Amicus podcast, discussed the scary idea of a government filled with conspiracy theorists, alleged sex offenders, and supporters of Vladimir Putin.

Lithwick raised the question of whether Senate Republicans will pick their battles wisely. Some senators might not fight Gaetz's confirmation, while others see him as a step too far. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tweeted, "Autocrats like to make minions crawl. Gaetz and Gabbard nominations will test Republican senators' willingness to crawl for Trump. "

Stern isn't optimistic about defections. He believes the Senate will roll over. Back in 2016, some Republicans stood up to Trump, and the courts could act as a check. Now, those protections are gone. Even so-called moderates like Senator Bill Cassidy haven't said they'll block Trump's nominees. It's a different scene from 2017, when the Supreme Court and Senate Republicans might have drawn a line.

Stern fears the U. S. is heading toward autocracy, like Hungary and Poland. He worries that other institutions won't stop Trump's excesses. They might see his election win as a green light to support him or step aside.

Stern also mentioned a book by McKay Coppins. It revealed that many Republican senators were scared to vote against Trump after the Capitol attack. If they were too scared then, it's hard to imagine they'll vote against someone like Gaetz now.

Will the GOP Bow to Trump's Extreme Nominees?

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