Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) signaled Thursday that he’d be willing to serve under President-elect Trump when he returns to the White House in January.
“If there is a job that could help the country and that my skillset would be useful for. Anybody should consider that," Phillips told NewsNation’s “On Balance.”
"And if we come to a point where no Democrat will want to serve in a Republican administration, and conversely, we are limiting 50 percent of the universe of potential appointees and that’s what I am trying to overcome,” he added.
Phillips, who mounted a long shot bid against President Biden before dropping out in March, has consistently warned his party about not having a competitive primary process and urged both parties to try to better understand the needs of the American people.
The Minnesota Democrat said last week that Trump has “become a significant historical figure in American politics” and that he built a movement “that, frankly, snuck up on most Democrats.”
“I am not a big fan of the President himself, but I understand the MAGA movement,” Phillips said Thursday. “I understand why people are angry. I understand why this federal government needs to be reformed. But then do it with people with competency and integrity to do it."
Trump has announced a slew of candidates for his Cabinet and other administration posts since being declared the winner of the presidential race, including picking two ex-Democrats, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to be his director of national intelligence and head the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively.
The Hill has reached out to Trump’s transition team spokesperson for comment.
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