> How many of the independent thinking advisors made Trump change his mind?
One clear one is postponing withdrawal from Afghanistan. In other cases, I don’t have insight in how worked on the inside, but the people I mentioned above all pursued their favorite policies. I don’t know whether T listened to them from the beginning and let them do what they think are right or change his mind later. for example, Bourla reports that when T called a WH meeting of pharmaceutical CEOs, everyone was talking medicines but Bourla’s rep suggested that the vaccine can be developed fast enough to be relevant. T immediately jumped on the idea and supported it.
I think eliminating Iranian terrorist leader was Bolton’s idea. Not sure who developed strategy if finishing off ISIS. Lighthizer pursued his tough line dealing with China …