Donald Trump’s transition team is putting members of his to-be administration in place. There has been a new single criterion for anyone taking the position: loyalty. When people look at his first term, it was filled with high-profile confrontations with appointees who opposed some of his most contentious policies. He seems determined this time to fill positions with full-fledged supporters of his vision and agenda.

New Approach to Appointments

Contrary to his first term, Trump has now allegedly gone on a spree looking for ideologically aligned and loyal people, particularly in areas that have been and remain critical to him, such as national security, intelligence, and law enforcement. The allies and advisors of Trump assert that loyalty is essential because it helps avoid internal pushback and, more importantly, for the positive pursuit of the president-elect’s agenda. According to one of the conservative lawyers and advisors of Trump, Mike Davis: “There has to be competency, and there has to be loyalty.”.

He has appointed Susie Wiles, his campaign chief, as his White House chief of staff. Susie is reportedly close to Donald Trump, an asset he desperately wanted in his new administration. He has also shut the door on ex-officials like Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, who have been vocal about some policies he rolled out.

Forensic Screening for Loyalty

Trump’s transition team is aggressively vetting potential candidates to ensure there is no history of public rebuke against the president-elect. The background checks inside entail scrutiny of their previous statements and donations to those who do not have a history of changing their minds and supporting Trump. While not all critical remarks are disqualifying, they are part of “demerits” that can weigh against candidates.

Some positions, such as attorney general, are becoming increasingly imbued with an air of being singularly combative. Trump’s fight with his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, was very public after Sessions refused to back off an investigation into alleged Russian ties to Trump’s 2016 campaign. Trump later referred to appointing Sessions as the “biggest mistake.” Trump fans believe that the administration would have no use for unnecessary probes and could carry out politically driven investigations into political opponents, including Democratic President Joe Biden if only it had a loyal attorney general and FBI director.

Concerns and Criticism

The Democratic National Committee said, “Loyalty over experience can betray integrity in federal agencies. “Trump and his sycophants are poised to make job offers to sycophants who will advance Trump’s interests above the American people,” said Alex Floyd, a DNC spokesman.

Critics argue that it’s undoubtedly the case that presidents tend to favor loyalists in key positions, but there is so. Still, there is little unusual about President Trump’s apparent priority of loyalty over everything. Some of Trump’s advisors believe loyalty counts the most; they argue that past problems with politicking among officeholders were an indication of employees running their agendas rather than the president’s. “This time, it’s going to be different because the people being brought into the government from the campaign could result in an administration with fewer potential office conflicts,” they tell the press.

Campaign Staff Transitioning into the White House

Many advisers assume that Trump will inject several campaign staff members into his administration. One adviser noted a difference between the first and second terms: campaign staff are viewed as committed to Trump’s vision rather than their agendas. “Loyalty is super important,” predicted one Trump adviser, forecasting that campaign insiders will represent some of the biggest names in the new White House.

As Trump completes all of his primary appointments, the role of loyalty in his administration continues to be a point of controversy between his supporters and detractors. Only time will tell if this makes for a more solidly integrated administration or a breeding ground for further issues.