Trump turns Cabinet meetings into loyalty performances

Trump transformed the Aug. 26, 2025 Cabinet meeting into a three-hour televised performance where officials praised him personally instead of discussing government policy. This became the longest on-camera Cabinet session in modern presidential history.

Each Cabinet secretary earns $250,600 in annual taxpayer salary (Executive Schedule Level I as of Jan. 2025) to provide constitutional advice. Instead, they delivered Labor Day remarks and Trump loyalty statements during prime-time broadcasts on NBC, CNN, and Reuters.

Trump announced federal death penalty expansion for all 🏛️D.C. murders during the Cabinet praise session without conducting standard Justice Department legal review. This potentially violates constitutional separation of powers and District of Columbia home rule.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly supported Trump firing Fed Governor Lisa Cook after divesting from his $10 billion Key Square Group hedge fund. Despite divesting by Mar. 2025, his Wall Street background and coordination with Trump on Federal Reserve matters raise conflict of interest concerns.

The meeting violated 240 years of Cabinet tradition focused on policy deliberation. It broke Hatch Act provisions prohibiting political activity during official government business in federal buildings.

Washington 🏛️D.C. abolished capital punishment over four decades ago. District voters rejected death penalty restoration 2-to-1 in both 1981 and 1992 referendums that Trump ignored with his federal override announcement.

Legal experts warn Trump's death penalty expansion exceeds presidential authority. 🏛️D.C. Superior Court handles most murders under city code that prohibits capital punishment, requiring federal prosecutors to bring questionable federal charges.

Cabinet officials applauded Trump announcements instead of providing independent constitutional analysis. Senate confirmation processes designed to ensure professional expertise rather than personal loyalty weren't honored.