Donald Trump’s Elliott Broidy mess comes into focus
The Rachel Maddow Show spent the first fifteen minutes or so on Thursday night focused on Elliott Broidy. Rachel raised some interesting questions about Broidy and why so many Republicans were approaching him for various roles in the Donald J. Trump administration. It provides more insight into what Broidy is up to here.
Broidy has no formal role with the Trump administration. He was a Deputy Finance Chairman of the Republican National Committee. But for reasons that remain unclear, several people reached out to Broidy to obtain positions with the Trump administration. One person who did so that Rachel discussed on Thursday was Marie Royce, wife of retiring long-time Congressman Ed Royce (We will see where Ed ends up). Marie sent several emails to Broidy, seeking positions. In a February 2017 email, she wrote, “Dear Elliott, Thank you for your support for a role in the Administration. I would like to be considered in the following roles….” She listed at the top assistant secretary of state for education and cultural affairs. After following up a month later, she was nominated, and still holds, that position.
Maddow also reported that Steve Stockman, a convicted felon facing a total of 460 years when sentenced, sought just before his conviction to be appointed as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and wrote Broidy with his interest. Stockman was a Congressman prior to his conviction.
In April, Newsweek reported that Broidy was also tapped by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to get his input on replacement of United States Attorneys. According to the same article, “He also recommended people for ambassadorships and other positions, including the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to ProPublica.”
Broidy has a relationship of some sort with George Nader, a convicted pedophile, who apparently is cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Given that cooperation and the continued disclosure of the varying but extensive influence Broidy has in this administration, we are likely to continue learning more about Broidy and whether his transactions pass muster.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.