President-elect Donald Trump‘s first few choices to join his administration drew widespread approval within the GOP. But that sense of unity cracked on Wednesday as Trump announced more controversial figures to fill his Cabinet.
The initial unease came after Trump tapped Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his secretary of defense on Tuesday. He is a decorated combat veteran but lacks experience in a senior defense role.
Yet it was Trump’s Wednesday’s decision to tap Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as attorney general that created the greatest heartburn. Meanwhile, his choice of ex-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence was also met with strong skepticism from the senators who would be tasked with confirming her.
Gaetz, a House firebrand, was under scrutiny as part of a sex trafficking investigation by the same agency he has been asked to lead. Gaetz denied wrongdoing, and the Justice Department ended its investigation with no charges filed against him.
Gabbard, for her part, has no formal experience in intelligence and has been accused of propagating Russian narratives.
Sen. John Thune (R-SD), who is replacing Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as the incoming Senate majority leader, offered a measured response when asked what he thinks about nominees like Gaetz.
“We’re gonna vet and process and look at all the noms when they come forward, and we’ll see,” he said. “That’s all gonna happen in the next few weeks we hope.”
But Senate Republicans, especially the chamber’s centrists, cast doubt that Trump’s nominees could be confirmed. Democrats reacted with disbelief.
“I just heard about Matt Gaetz and Tulsi two minutes ago. We all couldn’t believe it. We thought they were kidding,” said retiring Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV). “I said come on, that’s bulls***.”
Read more at Washingtonexaminer.com
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