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Erick Erickson: 'Amateur Hour' Has Returned to Team Trump After Series of Missteps

04:53 AM, 11/25/2025
Erick Erickson: 'Amateur Hour' Has Returned to Team Trump After Series of Missteps

Conservative host Erick Erickson criticized the Trump team for a string of avoidable errors, saying "it looks like amateur hour has returned." He listed four key missteps: a botched push to extend Obamacare subsidies without GOP buy-in, raising Sen. Mark Kelly’s profile, an unpopular Ukraine plan, and 18 judicial vacancies in nine red states. Reports say the subsidy rollout was delayed two weeks after GOP backlash. Investigative reporter Paul Sperry says senior aides are bracing for a possible personnel shakeup that could include a new chief of staff.

Conservative radio host Erick Erickson delivered a blunt assessment of the Trump team's recent performance, declaring that "it looks like amateur hour has returned." Erickson argued that a string of avoidable errors — handled by aides and allies — has left the administration vulnerable on multiple fronts.

He highlighted four main missteps:

  • Pushing the president toward a proposal to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies without securing buy-in from House and Senate Republicans.
  • Elevating the profile of Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly at a moment when Democrats had considered other potential nominees, such as Gov. Gavin Newsom.
  • Issuing a Ukraine policy plan that has drawn little enthusiasm from key constituencies.
  • Failing to fill 18 judicial vacancies across nine reliably Republican states, leaving important courts understaffed.

Over the weekend, reports indicated that the White House planned to unveil a proposal to replace the expiring Obamacare subsidies — a move critics say could significantly raise premiums for many Americans. That rollout was reportedly delayed by two weeks after backlash from GOP lawmakers.

Erickson also criticized an inquiry led by Pete Hegseth into Sen. Mark Kelly, suggesting the probe risked boosting Kelly’s visibility and strength as a general-election candidate compared with other Democrats.

Investigative reporter Paul Sperry later reported that senior White House aides and Cabinet officials are bracing for a major personnel shakeup as President Trump grows increasingly dissatisfied with the administration’s economic messaging and other areas. Sperry cited insiders who said changes could include a new chief of staff in the coming year, calling the situation "developing."

"The kids in the Executive Branch, working on behalf of the President," Erickson wrote, concluding again: "It looks like amateur hour has returned."

The criticisms underscore rising tensions inside the GOP as aides weigh messaging, staffing and political strategy ahead of what many expect to be a contentious election cycle.

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