Trump’s campaign is distancing him from allies who have sketched out plans for a second term

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is taking steps to distance itself from the initiatives of allies and former associates who have been outlining potential plans for a second term in office. These plans encompass considerations about the composition of his administration and the policies he may pursue if re-elected.

In a memorandum issued by senior advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita last Friday, the campaign asserted that any information regarding a hypothetical Trump administration that originates from sources outside the Republican Party or his official team should not be regarded as authoritative and is considered “an unwelcome distraction.”

This marks the second memorandum released by the campaign within the past four weeks, explicitly discrediting news reports that speculate on the formation of a second Trump government characterized by staunch loyalty and hard-right policies. The campaign is evidently reacting to broader efforts to depict Trump and his second-term agenda as excessively extreme.

Despite clear communication from the campaign, certain “allies” have persisted in their endeavors, and the media, motivated by anti-Trump sentiments, has been inclined to rely on anonymous sources and conjecture about a potential second Trump administration. Wiles and LaCivita emphasized this point in their latest memo.

The campaign officials stated that this memo was prompted by a recent Axios report citing sources close to Trump. According to Axios, Trump intends to surround himself with fervent supporters who align with his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) slogan and are ready to push the boundaries of executive power to achieve his objectives. Notable figures mentioned in the report include Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump’s strict immigration policies; former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon; former White House and Pentagon official Kash Patel; and Jeffrey Clark, a former assistant attorney general implicated in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.

The campaign advisers clarified that President Trump does not endorse self-serving attempts by individuals seeking positions in a potential new administration. Public discussions about prospective roles for oneself or associates are perceived as detrimental to both President Trump and those involved.

While Trump’s campaign attributes unfavorable headlines to external groups and allies, Trump himself has been vocal about seeking “retribution” against his adversaries and has intensified his use of confrontational and authoritarian rhetoric. He has even suggested the possibility of becoming a dictator on the first day of his second term, proposed appointing a special prosecutor to investigate President Joe Biden, and outlined an immigration agenda that includes fortifying the southern border and mass deportations.

Some individuals within Trump’s circle have offered insights into what a second term might entail. Patel, in an interview with Bannon, mentioned that a second Trump presidency might take action against the media, while Bannon speculated about Patel potentially serving as the director of the CIA in a future Trump administration.

The campaign, however, has distanced itself from Patel’s comments and pushed back against the notion that a second Trump administration would be characterized by fringe elements or a lack of restraint compared to his first term. They point out that Trump maintains connections with figures such as ex-U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Larry Kudlow, the host of Fox Business Network who led Trump’s National Economic Council, and Kevin Hassett, former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers.

The campaign acknowledges the efforts of conservative groups working to identify potential government appointees and outline a government-in-waiting with specific policies. While they appreciate these endeavors, they emphasize that these external groups do not represent the official campaign’s stance.

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More about Trump’s Campaign

• Axios report on Trump’s second term plans
• Stephen Miller’s role in immigration policies
• Kash Patel’s previous roles in the White House and Pentagon
• Jeffrey Clark’s involvement in election result challenges
• Trump’s immigration agenda