Four years ago, Donald Trump pressured Mike Pence over the Electoral College vote count, leading to Pence's refusal and Trump's view of it as disloyalty.
As Trump prepares for his second term, he seeks appointees who will carry out his orders with blind loyalty, disregarding norms and legality.
Many of Trump's first-term advisers were seen as disloyal, focused on separate agendas and deemed part of the "deep state."
The distinction between loyalty and fealty is significant, as Trump expects complete submission from his team rather than adherence to constitutional values.
This expectation of sycophancy could undermine effective governance, as strong leaders should embrace diverse viewpoints among their advisers.