By the time this piece is posted we should already know who President Trump's choice will be for his new chief of staff. If we don't here is a thought that intrigues me. The rumored possibility that it will be the president's own son in law, Jared Kushner.
There is one big reason mitigating against it. The national media would be outraged. And that is a big reason to consider, although, the national media is not likely to be pleased no matter what Donald Trump does nor who he names to any position. They want him out.
Which brings me to the reasons behind Kushner.
First. He is loyal. It is the most important trait in a senior staffer at the White House. And it will be needed now more than ever. Follow the steps of Alexander Haig during his last days in the White House and you can appreciate why the presidency needed someone loyal.
Second. Kushner is competent, even brilliant. He is the man behind some of the most spectacular achievements of this administration. He helped orchestrate the famous Trump speech before the Joint Session of Congress. He was the genius behind the masterful Middle East trip early in the president's tenure. And next to Donald Trump, himself, he is the man most credited with helping to pull off the president's upset victory in 2016.
Who better to guide the White House through the partisan challenges that will come from the House of Representatives than a man who is loyal and competent. And who knows where the votes are to bring those Senators into line when they have to decide on what comes our of that hostile House of Representatives?
Which brings us to this historical precedent.
If it were to happen you will see a raft of news articles proclaiming how unprecedented such a move would be. And they will be wrong.
Eighteen sons and daughters of the president have served on staff at the White House before Donald Trump assumed office. Most of them served as the White House Secretary, which was the most important position and actually evolved into the chief of staff's office of today.
Webb Hayes, a Medal of Honor winner, ran the White House for his father, President Rutherford B. Hayes, and was so valuable that the next president called on him often during the first year in office. Webb went on to found what is today the Union Carbide Corporation.
John Adams, II held the job. So did Ulysses Grant, Jr.
Anna Roosevelt helped run the White House during FDR's last year in office. And there were good reasons why presidents picked their own sons and daughters.
They could be trusted.
Doug Wead is a presidential historian who served as a senior adviser to the Ron Paul presidential campaign. He is a New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, and adviser to two presidents, including President George H.W. Bush, with whom he co-authored the book "Man of Integrity." Read more reports from Doug Wead — Click Here Now.
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