It is not uncommon for US presidents to encounter situations where their cabinet members appear to be off-message. Yes, each president chooses his own cabinet with the aim of identifying people they believe will support and help implement their policy agenda. But as we have witnessed many times throughout our history, even the most loyal cabinet member can arrive in office with their own agenda.
As a result, cabinet members sometimes cross signals with the White House in speeches, Congressional testimony, or policy announcements. What is rare, however, is for such contradictions to become so apparent even before a president is sworn into office.
