Trump Might Not Lead a U.S. Retreat from the World Stage After All

It’s axiomatic that personnel is policy. That can be overstated, but Donald Trump’s cabinet picks do provide us with some clues about how his next administration will govern.

What is the through line that connects Marco Rubio and Michael Waltz, Elise Stefanik and Kristi Noem, Susie Wiles and Stephen Miller? It’s not their many shared ideological tendencies — certainly not when it comes to foreign affairs (which is the portfolio many of these nominees will manage). It’s not their complementary managerial styles or their personal demeanor. It’s loyalty. That’s what they can lay a convincing claim to, and that’s what was lacking in Republicans, such as Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley, who’ve been shown the door.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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It’s axiomatic that personnel is policy. That can be overstated, but Donald Trump’s cabinet picks do provide us with some clues about how his next administration will govern.

What is the through line that connects Marco Rubio and Michael Waltz, Elise Stefanik and Kristi Noem, Susie Wiles and Stephen Miller? It’s not their many shared ideological tendencies — certainly not when it comes to foreign affairs (which is the portfolio many of these nominees will manage). It’s not their complementary managerial styles or their personal demeanor. It’s loyalty. That’s what they can lay a convincing claim to, and that’s what was lacking in Republicans, such as Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley, who’ve been shown the door.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.