Haslam Says He Doesn’t Fear Payback From Trump For Not Supporting Him

Gov. Bill Haslam says he’s confident he’ll have a good working relationship with President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, even though Haslam didn’t support Trump before the election.

For much of the campaign, Haslam didn’t explicitly endorse Trump. After video emerged of the candidate bragging about groping women, the governor of Tennessee changed his tone, urging Trump to
drop out of the race.

But Haslam said Wednesday he doesn’t fear retribution, in part because he has a good relationship with Trump’s running mate.

“Mike [Pence] and I talk frequently. When we were governors, we worked on a lot of issues together,” he said Wednesday. “I actually think our relationship with Mike — excuse me, Vice President-elect Pence — will be a real benefit to the state as well.”

Haslam said he was also encouraged by Trump’s tone in his victory speech. The president-elect said he wants to win over Americans who didn’t vote him — a group that includes Governor Haslam.

Protecting Minorities

As civil liberties and other rights organizations are expressing concern over the election of Donald Trump as president, Haslam said he’s committed to protecting minorities.

Trump and his rhetoric have been linked to violence across the country. In Cookeville, a
transgender woman’s truck was spray-painted with Trump’s name and torched in her driveway. The billionaire’s election has also been hailed by white supremacist groups.

“In Tennessee, we’re about protecting people’s safety and rights,” Haslam said. “You really could argue that’s the governor’s first job, regardless of who you are, regardless of any preferences in any direction. And I take that job very seriously.”

Potential Senate Opening

Meanwhile, Haslam is also already considering what to do if there’s an appointment to fill as a result of the elction.

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker’s name is being tossed around for a position in Trump’s cabinet. The Tennessee Republican is thought to be in the running for Secretary of State or Treasury Secretary. If he were to leave the Senate, Gov. Haslam would appoint someone to serve out the two years remaining on Corker’s term.

Haslam told reporters that people have already contacted his office, asking to be considered. He doesn’t know who he’d pick.

“I haven’t crossed that bridge,” he said. “I’d probably would lean more toward somebody who’s going to be caretaker and then let people start from scratch with who they’re going to elect.”

One possibility is that the governor could appoint himself to the seat — which he says he’s not considering.

For his part, Corker says he’s spoken with Trump and Pence about their win, but they haven’t talked about potential cabinet spots.