A Trump Loyalty Test? Political Appointees Must Explain Views On President In Written Questionnaire To Be Hired

Political appointees seeking to join the Trump administration now must fill out a questionnaire that tests their loyalty to the President, CNN reported Tuesday.

The questionnaire asks prospective hires about their views on the Trump campaign and to describe their “political evolution.” It also asks applicants about their favorite writers and political commentators who have "influenced you and led you to your current beliefs."

"Every President has the right to appoint people who are in line with their agenda and policies," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham has said about the new questionnaire.

Applicants are also asked if they have "ever appeared in the media to comment on 'Candidate Trump, President Trump or other personnel or policies of the Trump administration.'"

The Trump administration has previously had appointees fill out a written questionnaire, but it did not ask prospective hires about their views on Trump or his campaign.

This new questionnaire comes as Trump has increasingly become more concerned about loyalty in his administration. Trump has frequently claimed that a “deep state” of officials in the national security and intelligence community are seeking to undermine his presidency.

Axios reported in February that the White House has assembled detailed lists of disloyal government officials who should be fired. The news outlet claims that Trump has lists of pro-Trump confidants to replace these officials after they are ousted.

In many cases, loyalty is perceived to be Trump more important than job experience when filling vacancies in the administration. Trump recently appointed U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, a staunch Trump loyalist, to be the acting Director of National Intelligence, despite not having any intelligence experience. James Bacon, a 23- year-old college student, was recently hired as a top official in the Presidential Personnel Office.