We’ve seen this movie before, or at least something similar. Trump uses his gut feeling to pick those he would support in certain situations. Top of the list of qualifications is loyalty to him. Whether they are up to the job is quite secondary. Gazing at the fawning chosen is like looking in the mirror; the more they ape him, the more he sees himself. The reflection, of course, pleases him. A narcissist likes nothing better than himself.

I’ve pointed all this out before. Who can forget those Trump-backed candidates who used his blessing to edge out people who could win in the primaries only to flame out in the general elections? Herschel Walker, Dr. Oz, Blake Masters, Karri Lake, Doug Maestriano, etc.

Losing winnable contests had dire consequences. Trump put himself first, rather than his party and, if he thought about it, the country, resulting in legislation and actions that brought us inflation and an open border. Control of the Senate in the Biden administration could’ve blunted his leftward lurch.

People with principles would seek to push for them to be adhered to, even if they weren’t directly involved, but those they supported achieved those goals. Given the choice of getting someone in a position to thwart contrary actions and pushing someone in your mold, Trump chose the latter. We saw Kamala Harris giving Biden the deciding Senate votes rather than Republican rejection. We all paid the price.

Dave McCormack has the background to be a solid Republican senator from Pennsylvania. Still, he could’ve won two years earlier against John Fetterman and changed the Senate’s makeup sooner if Trump hadn’t pushed Dr. Oz.

Filling his new administration appears to continue the Trump mirror approach. How else do you explain Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard? Outsiders with little experience or expertise for the job but very good on television. They echo Trump’s 2016 Presidential resume.

Key people from his first administration are nowhere to be found. Mike Pompeo, Steve Mnuchin, and Ben Carson won praise for their effectiveness—even Trump lauded Nikki Haley at the U.N. While supportive of Trump, they have a political or monetary presence apart from the president. They are themselves rather than mirror images.

Of course, Trump has appointed some governors and senators with known talent. Marco Rubio is at State, and Doug Burgum is at Interior, has gravitas. It will be interesting to see how these people work with those who have little more than Trump’s support.

Doug Burgum, a self-made multi-millionaire with a solid background in Tech and energy and a successful governor, is taking a backseat to Pete Hegseth, who occupies the more important Department of Defense, and that may not be ideal. People like Pete on the lightweight weekend Fox and Friends, and he is a decorated marine, but he has never run any large entity, much less the enormous Defense Department.

Tulsi Gabbard has differed from so many Republican positions in the past. Does anyone know where she stands?

The same goes for Robert Kennedy Jr., a lifelong Democrat who will be a tough fit with Republicans.

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary of Labor, has supported organized labor.’s goals. How she fits in is anyone’s guess.

We’ve had cabinets of rivals in the past, but with this group of diverse backgrounds, they might as well speak different languages.

Having control of the executive branch and both houses of Congress, Republicans can effect significant changes if they stay on the same page. This task will require great people skills and understanding to avoid creating pushback from those who are nominally on your side.

On day one, Trump will be a lame duck. A third of the Senate only faces any election after he’s gone. Trying to ride roughshod over those you need might prove counterproductive. Backing people disliked by those who know them could cause riffs.

The Gaetz Attorney General nomination withdrawal points in this direction, with at least five Republican Senators declaring him

D.O.A. The fact so many of his fellow House members detested him didn’t help.

Replacing him with the well-qualified Pam Bondi might lead Senators to believe they’ll get better choices if they reject Trump’s first picks. Dump Pete Hegseth and get Gen. Keith Kellog at defense. Will Trump react negatively and start fighting with Congress?

Trump has a lot on his plate, both here and abroad. Returning to peace and making government more responsive to our needs in one term, with only a majority in both houses guaranteed for the first two years, will require solid talent. Elan Musk is a genius, but even he will need lots of help to tame the monster our government has become.

A lot will depend on Donald Trump having people up to the job. Will he search them out or look in the mirror?