Trump Loyalists Struggle to Balance Demands

Sycophants face consequences when grand plans fail, columnist says

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:03am

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A cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with a lone desk and chair as the only focal point, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the challenges faced by Trump administration officials who prioritize loyalty over pragmatic governance.The quiet, solitary nature of power in the Trump administration, where loyalty is prized but not always rewarded.Minneapolis Today

Columnist Ross Douthat examines the challenges faced by Trump administration officials who try to be loyal sycophants, arguing that they often end up as scapegoats when the president's ambitious plans go awry. Douthat suggests that officials who can balance satisfying Trump's desires while avoiding disastrous outcomes may fare better than those who simply rubber-stamp his every whim.

Why it matters

This story provides insight into the dynamics within the Trump administration, where loyalty and blind obedience are prized but not always rewarded. It highlights the delicate balance officials must strike to stay in the president's good graces while also avoiding catastrophic failures that could damage their own reputations.

The details

Douthat cites the examples of former officials like Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, and Pete Hegseth, who he says were selected for their loyalty and TV-ready personas rather than their political acumen. When high-profile initiatives like the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis or the conflict with Iran went poorly, these officials were quickly cast aside as scapegoats, even though they were ostensibly carrying out Trump's wishes. In contrast, officials like Scott Bessent and Marco Rubio have managed to stay in Trump's good graces by finding ways to satisfy the president's preferences without blindly following his every directive.

  • The column was published on April 12, 2026.
  • Douthat references the 'remaining 33 months' of the Trump administration, suggesting the column was written towards the end of Trump's term.

The players

Kristi Noem

The former governor of South Dakota who faced consequences after a high-profile immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis went wrong.

Pam Bondi

The former attorney general who did the president's bidding on various politicized prosecutions, only to be cast aside when the unpopularity of her actions and courtroom losses transformed her from sycophant to scapegoat.

Pete Hegseth

The embattled secretary of defense who reportedly told the president 'let's do it' in the run-up to the war with Iran, only to be blamed when the president's grand plans did not work out as expected.

Scott Bessent

A Cabinet official whose job appears relatively safe, as he has found ways to manage the president's preferences in trade policy and Russia-Ukraine diplomacy, satisfying Trump without blindly following his every directive.

Marco Rubio

Another Cabinet official whose job appears relatively safe, as he has also found ways to balance satisfying the president's desires while avoiding disastrous outcomes.

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What they’re saying

“Loyal losers don't get very far with this president.”

— Ross Douthat, Columnist

“When Hegseth reportedly told the president 'let's do it' in the run-up to the war, he was merely being an enthusiastic yes-man for a bellicose boss. But there's no reward for being a loyalist if Trump's grand plans don't actually work out. In that case, you own the failure; he does not.”

— Ross Douthat, Columnist

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges faced by Trump administration officials who prioritize loyalty and sycophancy over pragmatic governance. It suggests that those who can balance satisfying the president's desires while avoiding disastrous outcomes may be better positioned to survive and thrive in the remaining months of the administration.