Axios: Behind the Curtain: Trump's shock and awe [View all]
Axios - Behind the Curtain: Trump's shock and awe
Mike Allen
Jim VandeHei
1 hour ago
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Why it matters: Trump advisers are running out of words to describe what's coming in January. They say he feels empowered and emboldened, vindicated and validated, and eager to stretch the boundaries of power.
-He's egged on by Musk and others and picking trusted brawlers for the toughest, most controversial tasks.
You got a big taste of this yesterday:
1. Trump named real estate developer Charles Kushner father of Trump's son-in-law, Jared as ambassador to France. During the final month of his first term, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, who had served federal time after being prosecuted by Chris Christie for preparing false tax returns, witness retaliation and making false statements to the FEC.
2. Less than six hours later, Trump announced he picked Kash Patel, one of the hardest of his first-term hardliners, as FBI director. That means the incumbent, Chris Wray, who's just over seven years into a 10-year term (so the job could transcend any one presidency), will resign or be fired. A transition insider told us the Patel pick is a "personal message to the left that was cheering on Jack Smith" the special counsel who was prosecuting Trump, and plans to step down before Trump can fire him.
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