As President-Elect Donald Trump’s transition team works to assemble his cabinet, a number of the selections to fill the positions are raising concerns. Chief among them is Dr. Ben Carson, who Trump has tapped to be the head of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
With each cabinet selection, many Americans have publicly expressed their concerns as the nation prepares to inaugurate a President whom many feel doesn’t have the experience to led the nation.
Earlier in the week Trump announced his appointment of Carson to head the housing agency. Carson, who ran as a Republican during the Presidential Primaries, later endorsed Trump and was seen as the candidate’s surrogate during the primary and general elections. Although he supported Trump, Carson managed to side step any questions about him serving in the Trump administration. Noting his lack of experience in government was “like a fish out of water,” Carson said.
Those in Carson’s inner circle were also downplaying the probability of him participating in a major role in the Trump administration.
Armstrong Williams, who is an American political commentator, entrepreneur and author of a nationally syndicated conservative newspaper column, reportedly said that Carson wasn’t interested in running a government agency because he has never served in a government capacity.
“Dr. Carson feels that he has no government experience, he has never run a federal agency. The last thing he would want to do is to take a position that would cripple the presidency,” said Williams. Carson’s role in the Trump administration prior to being tapped as HUD Secretary was pretty clear. Trump had appointed him to the transition team as the second in command.
In announcing his selection of Carson, Trump said, “Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families. Noting that Carson has no previous experience in urban policy or urban development. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, “Dr. Ben Carson is a disconcerting and disturbingly unqualified choice to lead a department as complex and consequential as Housing and Urban Development.
“Our country deserves a HUD Secretary with the relevant experience to protect the rights of homeowners and renters, particularly in low income and minority communities, and to ensure that everyone in our country can have access to safe and affordable housing without facing discrimination or homelessness.
“There is no evidence that Dr. Carson brings the necessary credentials to hold a position with such immense responsibilities and impact on families and communities across America.”
Many of Carson’s views are contrary and may put him at odds with many civil rights organizations. Some of his positions alienate him from organizations such as the NAACP. The NAACP like many other civil rights organizations are adopting a wait and see approach with the new administration. Indiana NAACP President Barbara Bolling is one of those who is waiting to see if the Trump Administration lives up to his promises, which have changed to a more inclusive tone after the election. “I think Dr. Carson’s service could be better utilized in a health related capacity such as the Surgeon General, who heads the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”
Although prior to his foray in politics Carson was known for his skills in the field of medicine. It was his criticism of the Affordable Care Act that propelled him into politics and put him in the midst of presidential politics.
His right-wing position made him appealing to the Republican Party. In addition to the Affordable Care Act Carson has been a critic of Fair Housing Policies.
