Ben Carson, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, has told confidants he wants to create a think tank after President Trump leaves office next month.
Why it’s important: Carson’s planning points to his private recognition of what many Trump loyalists will not say publicly: Donald Trump will not serve a second term, at least not consecutively. The secretary has not publicly acknowledged Joe Biden’s election victory, but is preparing for a future outside the federal government.
Background: Carson, a professional neurosurgeon who competed with Trump for the 2016 Republican Party presidential nomination, wants to create an organization that promotes Trump’s policies and encourages bipartisan dialogue, a source in his circle told Axios.
- It is unclear how such a group would be funded or related to any entity Trump launches into exile. The closest thing to the source for defining political focuses was to say that it would include “increasing self-sufficiency” and “promoting religious freedom.”
Another focus: Carson wants to “heal the wounds of the division.” said the source.
- It would be a very high order, as Trump’s constant efforts to create and exacerbate these wounds show no sign of diminishing.
- Just this week, the president he retweeted a letter that says two Georgian Republican officials who acknowledged Biden’s victory will go to jail soon.
Be smart: As much as Carson may plan his future or show loyalty to Trump in the process, he can’t forget the president who boasted this week of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for publicly saying that Biden, not him, will be invested president next month.