Trump Finally Holds First Cabinet Meeting as He Repeatedly Blames Democrats for Delay That’s Entirely His Fault
Trump Blaming the Democrats Is a Lie, Pure and Simple
On his 143rd day in office, President Donald Trump late Monday morning held his first cabinet meeting ever. In public remarks as it was beginning, Trump read a statement that supposedly detailed his accomplishments, while blaming Senate Democrats for delaying confirmation of his nominees.
Trump falsely claimed, about a dozen times, that Democrats are “obstructionists,” blaming the long delay in having a cabinet meeting on the Democrats. Here’s a clip:
President Trump calls Senate Democrats “the obstructionists†for delaying the confirmations of Cabinet members https://t.co/QFxPcfmpFZ
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 12, 2017
Why is Trump calling Democrats “obstructionists? His final nominee was confirmed one month ago, May 11, about three weeks after the date his predecessor, President Barack Obama, was able to have his full cabinet confirmed.
Trump blaming the Democrats is a lie, pure and simple.
“Multiple Trump picks did not have the requisite paperwork and financial disclosure forms turned in, and Trump waited to make his last cabinet appointment until two days before he took office,” the Daily Mail notes. “One appointee, Andy Puzder, a fast food executive Trump had tapped to lead the Department of Labor, backed out just as he was supposed to testify, after allegations of spousal abuse of his ex-wife surfaced, and the president had to submit a new name to Congress.”
Trump, as NCRM reported last week, has been extraordinarily slow to fill the vast majority of the hundreds of key positions that require Senate confirmation. Per the Washington Post, as of Friday:
Of 558 key positions requiring Senate confirmation, 426 have no nominee, 9 are awaiting nomination (announced but not presented to the Senate), 83 have been formally nominated and are awaiting confirmation hearings or confirmation votes, 40 have been confirmed.
There’s also no reason why Trump could not have held a cabinet meeting with a less-than-full cabinet.
In an odd moment this morning, Trump said if all his cabinet members continue to do their jobs, “then we can make millions and millions of dollars, and we can make, for these people, and we can make the American dream come true.”
President Trump: If everyone on this Cabinet continues to do their job, we can “make the American dream come true†https://t.co/n5y9UpDQ6A
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 12, 2017
And as many on Twitter noted, it appeared that each cabinet member literally was to praise Trump as they went around the room speaking for the first time as a group:
Trump has concluded his remarks by making time for each of his Cabinet members around the table to heap praise on him in front of the press
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 12, 2017
Trump is inviting his Cabinet members to go around the table praising him
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) June 12, 2017
honestly this is like a scene from the Third World https://t.co/dr9245RIo6
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) June 12, 2017
This is basically just the cabinet telling Trump how awesome he is. WTF IS HAPPENING
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) June 12, 2017
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |