While Donald Trump may treat departments like Education or Defense as a "joke," he appears to take economic roles like the Fed Chair more seriously, appointing actual economists. This suggests he sees the economy as a direct, tangible scorecard of his success, requiring a baseline of competence that other areas do not.

The combative, non-apologetic conduct of Trump appointees like Kristi Noem is not a personal failing but a deliberate strategy inherited from Trump's mentor, Roy Cohn. This philosophy of "interrupt, attack, never give an inch" is what Trump demands, resulting in public servants who cheapen government institutions.

Trump is more likely to retain officials who project a strident, handsome, and brazen image, like Pete Hegseth. He favors this aesthetic of strength over thoughtfulness or actual competence, which is why someone like Kash Patel, who is seen as incompetent without the same bravado, is more vulnerable.

Shapiro frames the presidency not as a moral leadership role but as a functional one, like a plumber hired to "fix a toilet." In this transactional view, the leader's character, scandals, or moral standing are secondary to their effectiveness in implementing desired policies compared to the alternative candidate.

Trump's current inner circle consists of advisors loyal to him personally, not the country. They filter information to praise him and won't challenge his ideas, leading to poorly-informed, dangerous decisions.

Contrary to the view that Trump operates unchecked, Shapiro posits that institutional pushback and "the pushback of reality" still moderate his worst ideas. He cites the Supreme Court striking down tariffs and incompetent loyalists being replaced as examples of these self-correcting, albeit stressed, mechanisms.

Trump's seemingly chaotic approach is best understood as a CEO's leadership style. He tells his staff what to do rather than asking for opinions, uses disruption as a negotiation tactic, and prioritizes long-term outcomes over short-term public opinion or procedural harmony.

Unlike in other administrations where shakeups signal instability, for Trump, firing officials aligns perfectly with his core brand as the "Apprentice" boss who gets rid of incompetence. This is a unique political asset that his voters expect and appreciate.

The US has historically benefited from a baseline level of high competence in its government officials, regardless of party. This tradition is now eroding, being replaced by a focus on loyalty over expertise. This degradation from competence to acolytes poses a significant, underrecognized threat to national stability and global standing.