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Donald Trump didn’t waste a minute in assembling his new cabinet ministers, but it got a lot of sharp reactions. The structure of the Trump 2.0 White House has “stunned” and “surprised” leaders, with some of his choices even rubbing Republicans the wrong way. George Conway, a lawyer and activist, said that Trump’s nomination, “arguably would have been the worst in American history”.
Tulsi Gabbard – Director of National Intelligence
Photo courtesy: Reuters
Trump’s decision to nominate Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence has raised concerns among national security experts. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, lacks formal intelligence experience, raising concerns about her ability to lead the intelligence community.
Her background has been marked by a significant shift in political allegiance, from running for president in the Democratic primaries in 2020, to leaving the party in 2022 and supporting Trump. This drastic change has led some to question his suitability for the role.
Gabbard’s experience includes serving for two years on the House Committee on Homeland Security, but she has never held a senior government position or worked directly in intelligence. His anti-interventionist stance, advocating US non-involvement in global conflicts, has also been at odds with the decisions of the US intelligence community.
Some members of Congress have expressed skepticism over the nomination, including Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer, who expressed her dismay on social media.
Spanberg said, “Not only is (Gabbard) ill-prepared and unqualified, but she peddles conspiracy theories and cozyes up to dictators like Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin.”
Jamie Metzl, a former Clinton administration official, said, “If you’re part of a foreign government, even an allied government, would you really want to share your most important intelligence information with the United States government, “Recognizing that there are people who are so sympathetic to our opponents, who are at the center of our government?” he asked. “It’s really worrying.”
With Gabbard’s unconventional background and shifting political loyalties, concerns remain about her ability to effectively lead the intelligence community.
Matt Gaetz – Attorney General
Photo courtesy: Reuters
Matt Gaetz, a member of the US Congress from Florida since 2017, has been nominated for Attorney General by President-elect Donald Trump, sparking controversy due to pending allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use.
Gaetz resigned from his House seat just hours after Trump’s announcement on Wednesday, amid a vote by the House Ethics Committee scheduled to release the results of a sweeping investigation into the allegations, which Gaetz declined to do.
As attorney general, Gaetz will oversee the Justice Department, which has been investigating him for years on charges of sex trafficking and obstruction of justice.
Notably, Gaetz was informed last year that he would not face charges, but that the House ethics investigation would continue.
The nomination stunned fellow Republicans, with CNN reporting an “audible gasp” from House Republicans during a closed-door meeting when the news broke.
“I was surprised at the nomination,” Senator Susan Collins said when she first heard about the announcement.
Republican Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said, “Do you think he’s a serious candidate? As far as I’m concerned, no.”
Gaetz’s appointment has raised concerns given the serious allegations against him and the attorney general’s important role in leading the Justice Department. Trump’s decision to nominate Gaetz highlights the controversial nature of his Cabinet selections following his victory in the presidential election against Democrat Kamala Harris.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Secretary of Health
Photo courtesy: Reuters
Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services has drawn widespread criticism due to Kennedy’s history of promoting health-related conspiracy theories, particularly his anti-vaccine stance.
As a member of one of America’s most prominent political families, being the son of the late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, his views have attracted significant attention.
He is anti-vaccination and has claimed that vaccines are linked to autism, despite evidence refuting this claim. He advocates removing fluoride from public drinking water, contrary to CDC recommendations, highlighting its benefits in preventing cavities and promoting oral health.
He also supports the consumption of raw milk and the use of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment, both of which have been disputed by health experts. Kennedy has also made unusual claims about his own health, including having a worm in the brain that “ate a part of him and then died”.
Public Citizen, a non-profit, progressive consumer rights advocacy group, said, “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a clear and present danger to the health of the country. He should not be allowed in the Department of Health and Human Services building.” HHS), be left alone in charge of the nation’s public health agency.”
These views have raised concerns about Kennedy’s potential influence on the country’s health policies, especially considering his plans to deal with America’s substance abuse crisis, an issue with which he has personal experience. Because he was addicted to heroin for 14 years during his youth.
Pete Hegseth – Secretary of Defense
Photo credit: @PeteHegseth’s X account
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be his Secretary of Defense, despite Hegseth’s criticism of Trump’s foreign policy and military stances during the 2016 campaign. Hegseth called Trump’s foreign policy views “shallow” but later became a strong supporter.
Given his unconventional background for the role, Hegseth’s nomination is notable. He served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning several awards including the Bronze Star Medal.
However, his views on certain issues may raise concerns. For example, Hegseth opposes the service of women in combat roles, arguing that it lowers military standards and effectiveness. “Women should not be involved in war at all. They are life givers, not life takers. I know a lot of wonderful soldiers, female soldiers, who have served, who are great. But they should not be in my Need infantry battalions,” he told Ben Shapiro, a conservative political commentator, in an interview.
He supports soldiers accused or convicted of war crimes and advocates their pardon. He also wants to fire senior officials who support “woke policies”.
Given these stances, Hegseth may face a challenging confirmation process in the Senate. His nomination has already sparked controversy, highlighting the need to carefully consider his qualifications and views.
“He is the least qualified person in the history of the job,” said a former Trump administration defense official.
As a Fox News personality, Hegseth has been vocal about his opinions, but as Secretary of Defense, his decisions will have far-reaching effects on national security.
