Trump Is Already Exerting Influence And Creating Major Disruptions

President-elect Donald Trump is already exercising significant influence, hinting at a potential effort to challenge Washington’s established system of checks and balances. Meanwhile, world leaders are preparing for the impact of his election victory.

Initial reports from Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida estate where he is assembling his administration, suggest that when he returns to the White House in January, backed by a strong victory, he plans to govern with assertive confidence.

Through social media, Trump directed Senate Republicans participating in the majority leader election this week to support recess appointments for his Cabinet nominees. All three candidates quickly expressed their willingness to comply.

This move suggests Trump’s intent to wield considerable authority over the Republican-controlled government—if Republicans retain the House, which BBC has yet to confirm. He appears to regard Congress more as a formality than as an independent, co-equal branch of government.

Trump’s appointments reflect a preference for populist outsiders rather than traditional establishment figures. For example, he bypassed former foreign policy officials Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley for Cabinet roles.

Recently, he proposed New York Representative Elise Stefanik as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, according to sources familiar with the matter. He also included billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—a role typically reserved for senior foreign policy officials—indicating that Trump’s unorthodox methods could challenge established governance norms. The long-term consequences of his victory are beginning to take shape.

Speculation about potential Supreme Court vacancies also highlights Trump’s power to further entrench an ultra-conservative majority, shaping its influence for years to come.

Federal employees are increasingly concerned about a potential purge of career bureaucrats, as Trump allies seek to appoint figures willing to implement directives that could weaken regulatory systems and diminish centralized government power.

The BBC recently reported on Pentagon discussions concerning the military’s response to possible orders to act against American citizens, given Trump’s campaign remarks suggesting he might bypass traditional constraints on the use of force domestically.

Another question looms: How far will Trump go in seeking retribution against his political adversaries, given the impeachments, indictments, and single conviction central to his campaign? Upcoming Cabinet appointments, particularly for attorney general, may reveal his intentions.

Meanwhile, Democrats are grappling with the fallout from Trump’s resurgence, which has sparked self-criticism within the party. They currently lack a clear leader to revive their message or a solid platform, especially if Republicans retain control of the House, which would strengthen Trump’s position in the weeks ahead.

Trump’s return is sparking a global reevaluation of geopolitical strategies. Leaders from Europe to Taiwan, and Iran to Russia, are weighing how to manage the uncertainty surrounding his return. Some are attempting to build rapport with the president-elect, while others are preparing for potential conflicts.

The domestic and international responses underscore that Trump’s return may come with greater power than his initial term, benefiting from reduced constraints.

His wins in all seven battleground states—Arizona confirmed by BBC on Saturday—grant him strong popular legitimacy. Moreover, his unique position as the second president to achieve a non-consecutive term adds historical weight to his role.

Washington will see this new political dynamic in action on Wednesday, when Trump returns to the White House for a luncheon with President Joe Biden, who defeated him in 2020. However, Biden’s influence appears to be waning as Trump consolidates his authority.

Trump’s decisive approach is also evident in staffing decisions. His swift appointment of campaign co-chair Susie Wiles as the first female chief of staff signals a desire for an efficient start.

His rejection of Pompeo and Haley is noteworthy. Pompeo, who served as CIA director and secretary of state, had been a loyal ally during Trump’s first term but was recently labeled as “Deep State” by Trump advisor Roger Stone. Haley, who criticized Trump during her primary campaign, was similarly passed over.

The message is clear: only those fully aligned with Trump’s vision are likely to hold positions in the new administration. Stefanik, the House GOP conference chair, began her career as a moderate Republican but has climbed the ranks by supporting Trump unwaveringly.

Trump’s social media presence has been notable since his victory rally, even as he remains largely out of the public eye. His posts are widely circulated and influential.

On Sunday, he asserted his intent to influence more than one branch of government by setting terms for candidates competing for Senate Republican leadership roles.

“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,” Trump posted on X. Presidents have historically used recess appointments as a last resort for securing nominees facing opposition.

Trump may seek to expand the use of temporary appointments, granting year-long positions to nominees considered too extreme or unqualified by some senators, possibly even within his own party.

However, Democrats might filibuster any resolutions aimed at permitting recess. Tony Carrk, executive director of Accountable.US, a nonpartisan oversight organization, warned in a statement that “President-Elect Trump is attempting to undermine our checks and balances and consolidate power by encouraging Senate Republicans to bypass their constitutional duties and appoint his nominees without public oversight.”

Florida Senator Rick Scott, supported for the majority leader role by prominent MAGA figures such as Musk and former candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, quickly pledged to back this initiative.

Senators John Thune and John Cornyn, both established Republicans, also signaled willingness to consider this approach, indicating they will need to balance Trump’s influence carefully as president.

Thune, the current minority whip, stated on X that recess appointments were on the table. Cornyn echoed this stance, adding that Republicans would remain in session to counter Democratic efforts to block Trump’s nominees, asserting, “The Constitution explicitly grants the President the authority to make recess appointments.”

Retribution remains a key topic in Washington, with many speculating whether Trump will use his position to retaliate against adversaries. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan recently told BBC’s “State of the Union” that he doesn’t believe such actions will happen, stating, “We are the party against political persecution.”

Yet, Jordan has already advised special counsel Jack Smith, who led federal criminal investigations into Trump, to preserve related documents.

Musk’s Role in Government: A recent incident further highlights the likelihood that Trump’s second term will be even more unorthodox than his first.

Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, joined a call between Trump and Zelensky the day after the election, according to a BBC source. Although a president-elect can include anyone on such a call, Musk’s significant government contracts raise potential conflict-of-interest concerns.

His presence on the call—after actively supporting Trump on X, which he owns—underscores these issues. Moreover, Musk’s Starlink service is crucial for Ukrainian forces fighting Russia’s invasion.

Given Trump’s pledge to end the conflict and his ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Musk’s involvement could be interpreted as a strategic pressure on Zelensky if he resists Trump’s future requests.

Trump and Musk’s relationship hints at the unconventional circle the president-elect is likely to build in Washington. Their bond not only highlights Musk’s access to Trump but also reinforces Trump’s appeal as a world figure attracting the wealthiest individuals.

Foreign leaders are vying to establish ties with the president-elect, making congratulatory calls despite facing criticism at home over their approach to his administration.

Trump has hinted at a return to the unpredictable foreign policy of his first term, raising fears that he might disregard NATO’s mutual defense obligations or imply that the U.S. may not defend Taiwan if China were to invade.