China Critics and Opponents of Ukraine Assistance: Principal Appointments for Trump's Forthcoming Administration
US President-elect Donald Trump has revealed important appointments for his forthcoming administration. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for a second term in office after his recent electoral victory, he has begun to announce key appointments for his administration. Here are several notable selections thus far:
**Secretary of State: Marco Rubio**
Senator Marco Rubio has been nominated to lead the State Department. While he was an early advocate for military aid to Ukraine, Rubio's recent statements indicate a shift toward supporting a negotiated resolution to the conflict. He aligns with Trump on a tough stance regarding China, calling for stringent measures against Huawei and advocating for military support to Taiwan.
**National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz**
Representative Mike Waltz has been chosen as the preferred candidate for national security adviser. A veteran with the US Army Special Forces, Waltz has held various roles on congressional committees focusing on armed services and intelligence. On the issue of Ukraine, he has suggested that Washington should leverage its influence to facilitate negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
**White House Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles**
If appointed, Wiles would become the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff. A seasoned political strategist, she is credited as a pivotal figure in Trump’s successful reelection campaign, known for helping to maintain discipline within the campaign.
**CIA Director: John Ratcliffe**
Trump has expressed his intent to nominate John Ratcliffe as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Ratcliffe previously represented Texas' 4th congressional district and served as director of national intelligence during Trump's first term. He is recognized for his critical stance on intelligence agencies and has been a vocal opponent of investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. In prior roles, Ratcliffe supported Trump's positions on various national security issues and was part of significant controversies regarding intelligence assessments.
**National Intelligence Director: Tulsi Gabbard**
The president-elect has selected former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as his leading choice for the new director of national intelligence. Gabbard is known for her independent perspective and her outspoken criticism of American foreign policy, especially regarding military interventions. She has also been critical of aid to Ukraine. In 2016, Gabbard resigned as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and left the Democratic Party six years later. During her 2020 presidential campaign, she positioned herself as an antiwar candidate, opposing US military involvement in Iraq and Syria.
**Attorney General: Matt Gaetz**
Representative Matt Gaetz has been appointed by Trump to serve as attorney general upon his inauguration in January. Gaetz has previously criticized US military aid to Ukraine. Trump highlighted Gaetz's commitment to addressing what he described as the “partisan Weaponization of our Justice System,” noting that Gaetz would focus on dismantling criminal organizations, securing borders, and restoring public trust in the Justice Department. If confirmed, Gaetz would oversee a Justice Department that has investigated him for alleged sex crimes, though those investigations did not lead to any charges.
**Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy**
Trump has appointed tech mogul Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to spearhead a new Department of Government Efficiency, which will function independently of the federal government. Trump stated that Musk and Ramaswamy will aim to streamline processes, eliminate redundant regulations, cut waste, and reorganize federal agencies. He emphasized that this new department would leverage external expertise and collaborate closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
**Secretary of State: Marco Rubio**
Senator Marco Rubio has been nominated to lead the State Department. While he was an early advocate for military aid to Ukraine, Rubio's recent statements indicate a shift toward supporting a negotiated resolution to the conflict. He aligns with Trump on a tough stance regarding China, calling for stringent measures against Huawei and advocating for military support to Taiwan.
**National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz**
Representative Mike Waltz has been chosen as the preferred candidate for national security adviser. A veteran with the US Army Special Forces, Waltz has held various roles on congressional committees focusing on armed services and intelligence. On the issue of Ukraine, he has suggested that Washington should leverage its influence to facilitate negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
**White House Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles**
If appointed, Wiles would become the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff. A seasoned political strategist, she is credited as a pivotal figure in Trump’s successful reelection campaign, known for helping to maintain discipline within the campaign.
**CIA Director: John Ratcliffe**
Trump has expressed his intent to nominate John Ratcliffe as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Ratcliffe previously represented Texas' 4th congressional district and served as director of national intelligence during Trump's first term. He is recognized for his critical stance on intelligence agencies and has been a vocal opponent of investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. In prior roles, Ratcliffe supported Trump's positions on various national security issues and was part of significant controversies regarding intelligence assessments.
**National Intelligence Director: Tulsi Gabbard**
The president-elect has selected former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as his leading choice for the new director of national intelligence. Gabbard is known for her independent perspective and her outspoken criticism of American foreign policy, especially regarding military interventions. She has also been critical of aid to Ukraine. In 2016, Gabbard resigned as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and left the Democratic Party six years later. During her 2020 presidential campaign, she positioned herself as an antiwar candidate, opposing US military involvement in Iraq and Syria.
**Attorney General: Matt Gaetz**
Representative Matt Gaetz has been appointed by Trump to serve as attorney general upon his inauguration in January. Gaetz has previously criticized US military aid to Ukraine. Trump highlighted Gaetz's commitment to addressing what he described as the “partisan Weaponization of our Justice System,” noting that Gaetz would focus on dismantling criminal organizations, securing borders, and restoring public trust in the Justice Department. If confirmed, Gaetz would oversee a Justice Department that has investigated him for alleged sex crimes, though those investigations did not lead to any charges.
**Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy**
Trump has appointed tech mogul Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to spearhead a new Department of Government Efficiency, which will function independently of the federal government. Trump stated that Musk and Ramaswamy will aim to streamline processes, eliminate redundant regulations, cut waste, and reorganize federal agencies. He emphasized that this new department would leverage external expertise and collaborate closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
