Haberman: Trump trying to 'shock and overwhelm' system with Cabinet selections

New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman suggested President-elect Trump's team is trying to "overwhelm" and test political norms with his Cabinet picks.

"I do think that they are looking to essentially shock and overwhelm the system so that they can maximize what the system will tolerate," Haberman told CNN's Jake Tapper on Thursday.

When asked earlier in the interview if she thinks there will be more "shocking appointments ahead," Haberman wasted no time in saying, "yes," though she added that guessing whom Trump might pick is "the most useless game."

"He will change his mind, someone will undo a staff pick or a Cabinet pick and so forth and so on," she said. "Things are too fluid with him."

Tapper and Haberman seemed to agree, though, that all of Trump's Cabinet picks thus far "display fealty" toward the president-elect, with Tapper going as far to call them "MAGA warriors," a nod toward Trump's "Make America Great Again" coalition of supporters.

"They are MAGA warriors. They are in your face," Tapper said.

Haberman replied, "Correct."

Haberman later predicted Trump choosing former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general "is going to be a bridge too far for some Republican senators," though, she added, "we'll find out."

Trump's nomination of Gaetz was an unexpected choice and has put the Senate GOP on the defensive.

Trump also faced backlash for his surprise pick of Pete Hegseth, a conservative Fox News host, to serve as Defense secretary, and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.

But Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R), an ardent Trump ally, warned his Republican colleagues Thursday that “we’re going to try to get you out of the Senate” if they oppose Trump’s picks and legislative agenda.