--- title: Donald Trump Has a White House Staff Loyalty Problem description: If Donald Trump wants to find long-term success, he should understand that loyalty in D.C. is fickle, writes former Obama staffer Chris Lu canonical: https://time.com/4829572/white-house-loyal-staff/ author: Chris Lu article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-06-26T18:09:02.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T09:20:20.473Z article:section: Ideas og:title: President Trump's Loyalty Obsession Is Bad for the White House og:description: Loyalty is a two-way street, not a blind command, writes a former Obama staffer og:url: https://time.com/4829572/white-house-loyal-staff/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1639180732ac7503/6988ba65e20a879fc5a94206/trump-aids-putin.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2530 og:image:height: 1423 og:image:alt: FILE PHOTO: Trump speaking by phone with Putin in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: President Trump's Loyalty Obsession Is Bad for the White House twitter:description: Loyalty is a two-way street, not a blind command, writes a former Obama staffer twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1639180732ac7503/6988ba65e20a879fc5a94206/trump-aids-putin.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # President Trump's Obsession With Loyalty Is Bad for the White House > Sponsored content. 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A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-inside-2026q3/newsletters?i=52519e09-d604-4169-bbf9-8eb032884273&cr=time-nl-inside-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Sean Spicer's Greatest Hits [Watch (HLS stream): Sean Spicer's Greatest Hits](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Fvh1mgxB.m3u8) (4:59)  _Published 2017-05-30. The Sean Spicer show is back after a brief hiatus. The White House press secretary is set to resume his daily press briefing Tuesday afternoon, after taking a break during President Trump's first trip abroad._ by [Chris Lu](https://time.com/author/chris-lu/) ## Chris Lu Jun 26, 2017 6:09 PM UTC by [Chris Lu](https://time.com/author/chris-lu/) ## Chris Lu Jun 26, 2017 6:09 PM UTC The White House is working hard to find a new press secretary. It’s ordinarily one of the most coveted positions in politics, but no one seems to want it. That’s not surprising given the way that [Sean Spicer](http://time.com/4824455/sean-spicer-white-house-press-secretary/), the current occupant of the position, has been pilloried by the press and late-night comics. Very tellingly, in a recent [survey](http://www.prweek.com/article/1436969/pr-pros-white-house-comms-team-harming-industrys-reputation), only 6% of public relations professionals said they would take the job of press secretary or deputy press secretary in the Trump White House. It’s not just the long hours and the constant scrutiny that make the job so difficult to fill. The press secretary must also possess large amounts of the trait most desired by this president: loyalty. In the private sector, Donald Trump demanded almost familial loyalty — some would say blind loyalty — from employees and business associates. In a 1992 [interview](http://www.mediaite.com/online/flashback-heres-donald-trump-in-1992-talking-about-loyalty-exactly-as-comey-says-he-did-in-2017/) with Charlie Rose, Trump declared that he “would’ve wiped the floor with the guys who weren’t loyal.” When Rose asked what constituted disloyalty, the businessman responded, “They didn’t come to my aid. They didn’t do small things that would’ve helped.” It’s not surprising then that the President [told](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/i-expect-loyalty-trump-told-comey-according-to-written-testimony/2017/06/07/46413298-4bab-11e7-a186-60c031eab644%5Fstory.html?utm%5Fterm=.9b6127b4b537) FBI Director James Comey at a private dinner in January: “I need loyalty. I expect loyalty.” Trump administration insiders understand well their boss’ expectations. Over the past five months, Spicer has tied himself into knots to prove his fealty to the President. The day after the Inauguration, Spicer gamely tried to spin the press on the crowd sizes at the Obama and Trump inaugurations. In May, when Trump tweeted “[covfefe](http://time.com/4815850/donald-trump-covfefe-tweet-mike-quigley/)” after midnight, Spicer refused to admit a misspelling, instead [saying](http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/31/politics/sean-spicer-press-conference/index.html), “The president and a small group of people know exactly what he meant.” At a recent meeting of the Trump Cabinet, accomplished public servants — including military leaders and business executives — fell over themselves to heap praise on the President. The Cabinet members took turns declaring their allegiance to Trump, dishing out flattery, and even calling it a “[blessing](http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/12/politics/donald-trump-cabinet-meeting/index.html)” to serve him. In contrast, in the 16 Cabinet meetings I ran during Barack Obama’s first term, we never asked the Cabinet to sing our president’s praises. We knew Obama wanted candid advice, not adulation. In a family business like the Trump Organization, it’s possible for the CEO to surround himself with sycophants. But unwavering loyalty has its limits in a government of co-equal branches, where new federal employees take an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Even in the best-run administrations, it can be challenging to find capable people willing to take a pay cut and undergo the scrutiny that comes with political jobs. For the really hard jobs in government — the ones that manage billion dollar programs, safeguard the country, and oversee the economy — a litmus test of blind loyalty reduces the pool of experienced candidates and limits the diversity of perspectives. Already, we’ve seen the White House [veto](http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/10/politics/elliott-abrams-trump-state-department-tillerson/) selections for senior positions because the proposed pick criticized Trump during the campaign. Elliott Abrams was [nixed](http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/10/politics/elliott-abrams-trump-state-department-tillerson/) for the number two spot at State because of “Donald Trump’s [thin skin](http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/10/politics/elliott-abrams-trump-state-department-tillerson/index.html) and nothing else.” For positions at the Pentagon, “[any hint](http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article154052384.html) of something negative about Trump” that a potential appointee has posted on social media “can be disqualifying.” In a stark example of the value placed on loyalty, a Trump family [wedding planner](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/us/politics/trump-family-wedding-planner-to-head-new-yorks-federal-housing-office.html) with no experience in housing is a top candidate to oversee billions of federal housing dollars in New York and New Jersey. Barack Obama took a different tack. He understood that in order to solve the serious problems in our country, you needed experienced voices around the table that were willing to express disagreement. It didn’t matter that the person had previously supported another presidential candidate. One area where Trump has succeeded in bringing in top-notch talent — at least in very senior roles — is national security. Respected generals like Defense Secretary James Mattis and National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster understand well that the Commander in Chief sits above them in the chain of command. They also know that being a loyal subordinate doesn’t mean being a yes man. Loyalty, however, is a two-way street. Last month, in a speech to NATO leaders, Trump [blindsided](http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/05/trump-nato-speech-national-security-team-215227) McMaster, Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson by removing a line in the speech that affirmed the United States’ 70-year commitment to the alliance. This undermining of the national security team will strain the loyalty of officials whose hard-earned reputations are providing credibility to Trump’s policies. Likewise, despite the recent victory in a Georgia special election, House Republicans will remember a President who twisted their arms to pass a health care bill but is now criticizing the bill as “[mean](http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/20/politics/trump-mean-health-care/index.html)” in order to achieve a more palatable Senate version. If the President wants to find long-term success, he would do well to understand that loyalty in D.C. is transactional, ephemeral and fickle. If he has a desperate need for lasting loyalty, he should follow Harry Truman’s famous adage that “if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” _Lu was the Deputy Secretary of Labor and White House Cabinet Secretary during the Obama Administration. He is a senior fellow at the University of Virginia Miller Center._ ## Transcript Photographs of the inaugural proceedings were intentionally framed in a way to minimise the enormous support that had gathered on the National mall. This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration period. Good afternoon everyone. Welcome back. I can sense the love in the room. Yes, I believe that we have to be honest with the American people. I think sometimes we can disagree with the facts. I mean just the other day, he sat down with Martin Luther King Jr. I would call him a civil rights leader. His dad was the civil rights leader. Sean, Sean I have a couple more questions- You get one more. That's a ridic, you're basically, okay Kristen we're going to end this right now. Hunter, Hunter, no. And then, this one is the, I've got the '13 here as well or the 2017. It is literally 100 % the same. Well, first of all, it's not a travel ban. He's using the words that the media is using, but at the end of the day, it can't, hold on, hold on, hold on. It can't be. It's his words. The President himself Called it a ban. I understand. Is he confused or are you confused? No, I'm not confused. That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. Okay, this is silly. Okay, next. Attack on- Okay, you don't get to just yell out questions. We're gonna raise our hand like big boys and girls. This is government, this is not, and I think that part of the reason the visual is important is that when you actually look at the difference You realize this is what big government does . >> Just gonna say here your pin �� s upside down. John Roberts is always helping me with the fashion tips. Its still upside down. Dont make me make that podium move. [ LAUGHTER ] I have heard this stuff. No, no, hold on- no evidence of wiretapping at Trump Tower so now you �� ve had the House Intelligence Commitee and the the Senate Intelligence Commitee - >> no, no actually here is this quote Johnathan. No, here is the direct quote I thin it's very possible end quote. When we talked about wiretapping, he meant surveillance. [ CROSSTALK ] For a guy who has zero intelligence class. [ LAUGH ] [ CROSSTALK ] Does the President still have complete confidence in FBI Director Comey? There's no reason to believe he doesn't at this time. But even General Flynn was a volunteer of the campaign, and then obviously there's been discussion of Paul Manafort who played a very limited role. Was the White House aware of any contacts between Paul Manafort and Russian operatives or suspected Russian operatives? No [ INAUDIBLE ] Well first I think your headlines are bad. I'm glad to rewrite, I'd be glad to if you'd like, if you guys are looking for some help. Are you looking for a job? Does the President stand by statement that President Obama is a bad or sick guy? I think the president's tweets stand for themselves. I think there's a huge appetite for tax return, tax reform. No, no we don't have that. You've got Russia. If the president puts Russian salad dressing on his salad tonight, somehow that's a Russian connection. I'm sorry that that disgusts you. You're shaking your head. I appreciate it but understand this, that at some point, the facts are what they are, and every single person who has been briefed on this situation With respect to the situation with Russia, Republican, Democrat, Obama- appointee, career have all come to the same conclusion. At some point, April, you're going to have to take no for an answer, with respect to whether or not there was collusion. April. I wanna thank you, Sean. How are you today? I'm fine. And how are you? Fantastic. [ LAUGH ] [ LAUGH ] the answer is that if you gas a baby, if you put a barrel bomb into innocent people. I think you will see a response from this president. That is unacceptable. Someone as despicable as Hitler, who didn't even sink to using chemical weapons. I think I got this but thank you. Are you sure? Maybe. Alright, thanks man, I'll see you in a minute. [ LAUGH ] Hold on. Alright, that was cool. [ LAUGH ] Alright, that was cool. [ LAUGH ] Sean! Sean! Sean! Sean! Sean! Come on, Sean! Sean! What about the Putin call? Sean! Sit right here, wait, no one leaves. No one leaves, sit. Let's see, sit and wait. Let's see. [ CROSSTALK ] considering canceling the daily press briefings? I think he's a little dismayed, as well as a lot of people, that we come out here and try to do everything we can to provide you and the American people with what he's doing on their behalf. and yet, we see time and time again an attempt to parse every little word and make it more of a game of " gotcha" as opposed to really Figure out what the policies are? Why something is being pursued or what the update is on this and I think that's where there's a lot of dismay and I don't thin is something just alone the president feels. 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