WASHINGTON (AP) - In the history of American politics, there's no shortage of presidents who promised to shake up Washington once they got to the White House. But Donald Trump may prove to be in a class of his own, and he appears more interested in beating the federal government into submission than recalibrating it.
In staffing his administration, Trump has shown an inclination to select people who distrust or even disdain the agencies that they've been chosen to lead, setting up a potential war of attrition between the incoming Republican president and American institutions.
"There´s been nothing like what Trump is suggesting to do," said Doug Brinkley, a presidential historian. "We´re talking about dismantling the federal government."
Trump's approach will become even clearer this week as Kash Patel, his choice for FBI director, heads to Capitol Hill for an initial round of meetings with senators who will decide whether to confirm him to the post. A former national security official who has branded himself as an eager acolyte of Trump, Patel has talked about shutting down the agency's headquarters, splitting up its responsibilities and targeting Trump's perceived enemies.
Greg Brower, a former U.S. attorney who served as the FBI´s top congressional affairs official, said Trump seems to want to make the nation´s law enforcement institutions "part of his political operation run out of the White House."
"That´s a major course change that I´m just not sure a majority of senators are willing to endorse," Brower said.
Republican senators are already considering whether to support Pete Hegseth, whom Trump wants to lead the Pentagon, despite allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement. Hegseth is an Army veteran and former Fox News commentator who has described the military as flooded with "woke" liberal ideology. He also wants to remove women from combat roles.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump´s transition team and the incoming White House press secretary, said: "President Trump was re-elected by a resounding mandate from the American people to change the status quo in Washington." She added that he would continue supporting his chosen leaders against opposition efforts aimed at derailing their agenda.
Margaret Spelling noted it is "probably not a good management style" when treating government employees as adversaries:
"If you´re going to turn the tide or redirect ship state," she stated; "you've got help doing it."
If successful under Trump's vision could mean eliminating departments outright such education department led Linda McMahon whose background includes serving Connecticut Board Education while leading Small Business Administration during first term wrestling entertainment executive role previously held .