Trump Appoints Loyalists Hope Hicks, Richard Grenell & Pam Bondi To Federal Advisory Boards

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced his plans to appoint additional loyalists to federal advisory boards and commissions in the final days of his presidency.

“These positions are all highly sought after. It’s the reason why the outgoing president uses it as a chit or a recognition because they know they are doing a consequential favor for somebody,” Max Stier, president of CEO of non-profit group Partnership for Public Service, told Bloomberg, adding that some of Trump’s appointments are “not standard practice.”

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was a member of Trump’s legal team during his impeachment trial, will become a member of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. Elaine Chao, Transportation Secretary, and Pamella DeVos, sister-in-law of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, were also given seats on the Kennedy board.

Hope Hicks, White House aide, will be a member of the Fullbright Scholarships board.

Richard Grenell, former director of National Intelligence and Trump campaign surrogate, will join Andrew Giuliani, son of attorney Rudy Giuliani, on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. Additionally, Stephanie Grisham, who has served as press secretary to First Lady Melania Trump and Trump himself, will become a member of the National Board of Education Sciences.

These board seats serve as resume boosters for appointees and have been used as a form of patronage by Trump in the late stages of his presidency, though they are unpaid beyond travel expenses.