Sean Spicer says Donald Trump’s Cabinet choices are a sign of his ambitious plans for his second term and believes he knows the real reason they have raised concerns within the federal government.
The former White House press secretary said the newly elected president’s nominations — especially Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth — have caused such a stir because they will shake up their departments.
Spicer was the face of the Trump administration for the first six months of 2017 and served as a commander in the Navy Reserves.
Now he has his finger on the pulse of American politics with The Sean Spicer Show and his own Substackafter a cameo on Dancing With The Stars in 2019.
He spoke to DailyMail.com about Trump’s appointments, why he thinks Hegseth has caused a stir and what he has in store for the future.
When it comes to Hegseth, Spicer believes he has the experience to solve the recruiting crisis that has persisted in the military for years.
Many of the president-elect’s nominations for top roles in his second administration attracted attention as soon as they were announced.
Sean Spicer says Donald Trump’s cabinet choices are a sign of his ambitious plans for his second term and believes he knows the real reason they have raised concerns within the federal government.
He chose loyal allies who have supported him since his first stay in the White House and during his victorious election campaign.
There were also an array of Fox News hosts and guests, including Hegseth, Secretary of Transportation nominee Sean Duffy and incoming U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Spicer, who has spent as much time as possible at Trump’s side, says each choice shows that he wants to innovate as much as possible in his second four years as commander in chief.
“He recognizes that he has four years to implement his agenda, and based on the experience of his first term, he knows he must take advantage of the precious time available.”
The choice of former Fox News host Hegseth to lead the Pentagon surprised many and led to questions about whether he had the experience to head a government department that had a budget of $783 billion last year.
Old allegations against him have also been resurfaced, including an investigation into a woman’s allegations of sexual assault in California, where charges were ultimately never filed.
It could lead to dramatic confirmation hearings, but Spicer has brushed aside suggestions he has no experience with.
He says he has the perfect background to refocus the Pentagon to meet the many challenges it faces during one of the most volatile periods in diplomatic relations in recent history.
“This man ran an organization for veterans. He was an Army officer who deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan and earned two Bronze Stars.
“I think the idea of discussing his qualifications is a red herring. It’s a dog whistle.
Hegseth, Spicer says, “knows more about combat experience and boots on the ground and understands the challenges we face.”
To exclude him because he “hasn’t run a multi-million dollar defense company” is “ridiculous,” he adds.
He also said any concerns within the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill stem from the fact that Hegseth could completely overhaul the military and its priorities.
“What it really comes down to is people are afraid he’s going to shake things up,” Spicer said.
“That’s what this (the response to Hegseth) is really about. We need something different these days.”
Spicer was the face of the Trump administration for the first six months of 2017. He is also a commander in the Naval Reserves
He said there is a government-wide issue of wrong priorities.
A recent example he pointed out was the Department of Agriculture, which had racial justice and climate change at the top of their website during an E.Coli outbreak.
An issue that has plagued the Pentagon for years has prompted Americans to sign up for service.
The Army has been trying out a slew of new programs and incentives to meet recruitment goals and reverse the dismal trend.
In late September, the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force reached lower targets, while the Navy came close.
But the future still looks bleak and senior military staff are still concerned about the tough challenges ahead.
Spicer believes the lack of respect shown to veterans and the families of those who served is at the root of why applications are so dramatically slow.
‘There is also a huge recruitment problem and a morale problem.
‘A large part of the recruitment in the army comes from people, from families with a service history.
“They say we don’t value the people whose families have served for generations.
Spicer, who has spent as much time as possible at Trump’s side, says each choice shows he wants to innovate as much as possible in his second four years as commander in chief
Spicer says the president-elect’s nominations — especially Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth — have caused such a stir because they will shake up their departments.
“So you need someone to say the opposite, which is, ‘We appreciate you and we want you to continue that service.’
‘If you dismiss that, you wonder why you have a recruitment problem.
“Instead of honoring that, we reject it.”
Trump has selected his spokesperson Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, a role Spicer knows all too well.
He stood on the briefing room stage for seven months in 2017 during Trump’s first administration, at a time when the media was fascinated by every move in the West Wing.
At 27, Leavitt will be the youngest to hold the position in history, but he has been at Trump’s side since he first lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Spicer says his successor “came into the job with real, solid, firsthand experience.”
Spicer keeps his finger on the pulse of American politics with The Sean Spicer Show, following a cameo on Dancing With The Stars in 2019
He is confident that she will be able to “take down” the reporters, whom Trump is apparently threatening to replace with podcast stars like Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly.
If he has any advice for her arrival in the role, it would be to continually check in with the president to ensure she has all the current information.
“Things are moving quickly in the Trump White House, and there are many people trying to influence his decision-making.
“And before you make your opinion public, check with him first. In many cases, triple checking.”
DailyMail.com reported earlier this month that Spicer was being considered for the position of Secretary of the Navy.
But he confirmed that he is focusing on The Sean Spicer Show and client work.