What This Piece Is (and Why It Matters)
We were warned, repeatedly, that if Trump came back to power, the guardrails would be gone. The people who once quietly worked to contain the chaos have been purged. This time around, there are no adults in the room. And as we watch a second Trump term take shape, it’s clear: the cabinet is filled with loyalists, grifters, and sycophants. No expertise, no dissent, just nauseating, blind loyalty.
That’s why I wrote this. Not because these people are new, countless articles about this cast of characters have been written. But we need to keep an eye on these clowns. There are a lot of them, and it's easy to lose track of just how unqualified and dangerous this group really is.
Whether you’re already politically plugged-in or you’ve got a friend/sister/cousin who’s just starting to pay attention, I hope this guide makes the players a little easier to clock.
If you’ve been here before, feel free to scroll down to the format overview and dive straight into the cabinet breakdown. If you’re new around here, allow me to introduce myself and tell you a bit about the community behind this space.
For the New Folks: Welcome
Hey y’all, I’m Hannah, a Southern leftist raised in one of the most complicated places in the country, Mississippi. I talk a lot about style, home design, vintage finds, and progressive politics, because around here, we believe monogrammed linens, trans rights, and wealth redistribution can peacefully coexist. I started this Substack and Slack community, Unruly Ladies League, after growing a little community on TikTok, mostly made up of like-minded folks who love layered interiors and layered conversations. Our corner of the internet has grown into a book club, a Slack community, a network for future political organizing, and most importantly, a home for liberal Southerners looking to stay engaged without losing their minds.
Who This Is For
If you’re chronically online and deep in the political news cycle, this might just confirm what you already know, but I hope it’s still useful for keeping track of who’s who. If you’re newer here or want something easy to share, this piece was also written with the “only sort of paying attention” person in mind, the friend or the coworker who cares, but doesn’t know where to start. This is for them.
What the Unruly Ladies League Is
The Unruly Ladies League is built on the belief that we can rage about politics while still caring about aesthetics, and even having fun with them. Most of our community members are Southern progressives who love a good estate sale and aren’t afraid to talk openly about the systems of white supremacy, patriarchy, and hypocrisy that still have a choke hold on the South. It’s a challenging thing to love a place that’s so problematic, and that tension is part of what binds this space together.
The Tone I Try to Bring
There’s no shortage of sharp academic or angry political content online, I consume it every day. (And love it.) But that lane is well-covered. What I want to bring to this space is something a little different: content that’s principled but approachable, grounded but digestible, and focused on bringing people in, not shutting them out. I’m still furious about everything that is going on but I’m trying to channel that into something that helps us feel more informed and ready to act, not just burned out.
A Quick Note on the Format
For each member of Trump’s cabinet, you’ll find:
Qualification Meter (⭐ out of 5): Based on their actual experience and background.
Sycophancy Rating (🔥 out of 5): A scale of how deep the Trump loyalty runs. (From cautious ally to full-blown boot licker)
Cliff Notes: A short, honest take on who they are and why it matters.
GOP Perception: Because over here in our leftist bubble, it helps to know how they’re viewed by their side.
Note: The star ratings don’t reflect my personal opinion of their qualifications, the stars are meant to objectively measure professional experience relevant to the role.
Now let’s take a closer look at the folks in Trump’s orbit, and unpack what they bring to the table. Spoiler alert: It’s not much.
Secretary of State: Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
We all know him, a career politician. The dude is willing to sell his soul for a seat at the table. He’s not a leader, just a puppet. He’s been in the Senate long enough to spout off a few catchphrases, but his leadership experience on global diplomacy is very weak.
Does Rubio show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Rubio has no real integrity or moral compass. He criticized Trump but quickly folded and backed him for his own political gain. He used to occasionally disagree with Trump but it seems now exclusively tows the MAGA line.
How is Rubio perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Generally he’s seen as a reliable Republican, but he is often criticized for his inconsistency. He's popular in certain circles (like among establishment Republicans) but his lack of leadership and flip-flopping hurt him with the more far right faction.
Treasury Secretary: Scott Bessent
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bessent is a hedge fund guy with zero experience in public finance or economic policy. He knows how to make rich people richer, but that’s about it. Never held public office, never managed a national budget. He gets 2 stars for technical financial knowledge, but not a drop more since he’s wildly unqualified to manage the U.S. economy for anyone who isn’t already a billionaire.
Does Bessent show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
I heard people hoped he’d be the one to maybe stand up but he has shown limited integrity and weak moral compass in his brief political career. He has consistently aligned himself with Trump's agenda, including defending Trump's trade policies and supporting tax cuts for the wealthy. He’s a Trump loyalist and is willing to sacrifice ethical standards for a seat at the table.
How is Bessent perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Bessent is largely unknown to most Republicans outside of financial circles. He's respected in elite business and investment circles but his lack of political experience means he's not seen as a standout within the party. He doesn’t have significant popularity or influence in the GOP overall.
Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Do I even need to cover this joker? At this point, he’s probably the most recognizable, a Fox News bro cosplaying as a serious military leader. Yes, he’s a veteran with combat experience in the Army National Guard. But he’s spent more time instigating culture wars on cable news than working on defense policy. No strategic background, no leadership experience running anything close to the scale of the Pentagon. All tough talk, no substance.
Does Hegseth show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Total Trump loyalist and loose cannon. Bad at the job, leaked sensitive info, duh, used unsecured phones, purged top players for not kissing the ring. Zero integrity, all chaos.
How is Hegseth perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Hegseth is popular among Trump’s loyal base but controversial within the GOP. While some Republicans support him, he is a divisive figure. He's not universally seen as effective or competent.
Attorney General: Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Known more for defending Trump than upholding the law. Her legal track record includes ethical scandals. She’s a “Trump’s personal fixer.” She was a state attorney general, which technically gives her relevant legal experience. But her time doing that was full of controversy. Not competent or independent.
Does Bondi show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
She’s a full MAGA loyalist. Pushed election lies, backed Trump all the way. No integrity, no morals, just blind allegiance.
How is Bondi perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Bondi is well-liked within the GOP, especially among Trump supporters. She has solid backing from party leaders.
Interior Secretary: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥
A tech bro turned governor with a deep love for fossil fuels and no interest in conservation. He most likely thinks “public lands” are just future drilling sites. He’s an actual governor, so he’s at least managed a state with significant federal land and energy interests. But he’s a very bad fit for managing the country’s natural resources.
Does Burgum show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Burgum tows the MAGA line. Backed Trump’s legal nonsense, downplayed Jan 6. No signs of backbone or moral pushback, just another pitiful yes man.
How is Burgum perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Burgum is popular in North Dakota and has strong approval ratings there. Nationally, he's less well-known and not as popular. He's respected for his practical, business-like approach, but his moderate views (like vetoing conservative social bills) are popular with the more conservative parts of the Republican Party.
Agriculture Secretary: Brooke Rollins
Qualification Meter: ⭐☆☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
A Trump policy aide with zero background in farming, food policy, or rural economies. Cool. She’s worked in government and on economic policy, so she’s not totally new to public service but absolutely incredibly unqualified for a job that affects farmers, food security, and rural communities.
Does Rollins show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Rollins is all-in on Trump. Pushes his agenda hard. No signs of independence, integrity, or moral pushback, just loyal foot soldier vibes.
How is Rollins perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Rollins is respected within the GOP, especially among agricultural conservatives.
Commerce Secretary: Howard Lutnick
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Lutnick is a Wall Street CEO with what seems like the personality of a conference call. Knows business, but not the kind that helps small businesses. His experience is as the longtime CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald but no public service record or experience with trade, industry policy, or economic development that benefits regular people.
Does Lutnick show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Lutnick shows little to no integrity. He’s a major Trump donor, and his role in the transition team raised concerns about conflicts of interest, using his position for personal gain.
How is Lutnick perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Liked by Republicans, especially business-oriented ones.
Labor Secretary: Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Qualification Meter: ⭐☆☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
First-term congresswoman. She’s held public office and technically understands legislation, but she has no experience in labor relations, workforce policy, or advocating for workers in any way.
Does Chavez-DeRemer show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
No integrity and moral compass. Total loyalist and supported Trump in pardoning January 6th insurrectionists. All in for political gain, no ethical standards.
How is Chavez-DeRemer perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Chavez-DeRemer is seen as a rising GOP star but has some mixed reactions. Overall, she's popular within the party.
Health and Human Services Secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Oh great. Here we go. The anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorist with the Kennedy name and a dangerous platform. He’s spent years actively undermining public health. He’s a lawyer and environmental activist with experience in advocacy and policy, just not the kind you want anywhere near health services.
Does RFK jr. show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Zero integrity. Prioritizing personal gain over any semblance of values. So problematic.
How is Kennedy perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Kennedy has really gained support among Republicans. He's popular with anti-establishment conservatives but is still a fringe figure in the party.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary: Former Texas state Rep. Scott Turner
Qualification Meter: ⭐☆☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥
A former state legislator with zero experience in housing policy, urban planning, or managing public infrastructure. He’s held public office, but doesn’t bring a shred of relevant expertise to the table.
Does Turner show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Are you noticing a theme? Turner shows no integrity or moral compass. He’s always aligned with Trump’s policies, especially in housing. He’s cut protections for vulnerable communities and focused on deregulation.
How is Turner perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Turner is well-liked by Republicans, especially conservatives. He has strong support from GOP leaders and has been endorsed for his pro-life and tax policies.
Transportation Secretary: Former Rep. Sean Duffy
Qualification Meter: ⭐☆☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Y’all know he’s a former reality TV star turned congressman with zero real experience in transportation, infrastructure, or logistics. He’s been in public office, but his focus was never on transportation or infrastructure.
Does Duffy show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Nope. He has consistently defended Trump's divisive rhetoric and policies, even when they have been widely criticized.
How is Duffy perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Duffy has mixed support among Republicans. He’s praised by conservatives for fiscal policies but criticized by others for his lack of qualifications for the role.
Energy Secretary: Chris Wright
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
A fossil fuel CEO with a deep love of drilling, fracking, and climate denial. His expertise is profit over people, with zero interest in clean energy or sustainability. The 2 stars reflect his time in the energy sector, but it’s the wrong kind of experience for this role.
Does Wright show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Wright shows no integrity or moral compass. No signs of standing up to Trump. Puts money over people.
How is Wright perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Wright is well-liked by Republicans, especially further right conservatives.
Education Secretary: Former Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon
Qualification Meter: ⭐☆☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The wrestling mogul with zero experience in education. She held a high-ranking government position as the Small Business Administrator, but her qualifications are limited to business, not education.
Does McMahon show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Zero integrity or moral compass. She’s been a loyal Trump ally from day one and focused more on advancing her own interests.
How is McMahon perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
McMahon is highly regarded by Republicans, especially for her strong support of Trump. She’s influential in the party.
Veterans Affairs Secretary: Former Rep. Doug Collins
Qualification Meter: ⭐☆☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
A former congressman known for toxic partisanship, with zero relevant experience in veterans’ affairs. He’s served in Congress, but his record on veterans' issues is virtually nonexistent.
Does Collins show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Shows no integrity or moral compass. No challenge to Trump, just a puppet.
How is Collins perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Doug Collins is popular with pro-Trump Republicans but has caused divisions in the party with his hardline, loyalty-over-substance approach.
Homeland Security Secretary: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
Qualification Meter: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Sycophancy Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Governor who turned her state into a COVID hotspot and is obsessed with culture wars. She knows more about banning books than securing borders. Her biggest focus has been on political stunts. Two stars for being a politician, but not a good one.
Does Noem show any integrity, moral compass, or willingness to stand up to Trump?
Noem has zero integrity. Prioritized political gain over public health, no willingness to challenge Trump. Will not stand up for anything that requires moral courage.
How is Noem perceived by Republicans? Are they considered popular or doing a good job within their party?
Noem is popular within the GOP, especially in South Dakota, but her national profile is mixed.
This may have felt repetitive, given that most of them fall squarely at the “zero integrity” end of the spectrum, but it’s critical to underscore just how utterly lacking in critical thought and courage this cabinet truly is. Regardless of your political leanings, we should never want a leader surrounded only by yes-men and women. True leadership thrives on diversity of thought, expertise, and the ability to challenge and elevate those around them. Unfortunately, that’s not the case here.
And y’all know this isn’t even the entire circus of characters in Trump’s world. Let us not forget about the “crypto czar” and ole Karoline Leavitt. If y’all liked this break down, I can dig into the rest of the messy team next week. So let me know in the comments and stick around for that. It actually only gets weirder from here.
Share this post