China Hardliners and Ukraine Assistance Skeptics: Prominent Positions in Trump’s Forthcoming Government
US President-elect Donald Trump has revealed significant appointments for his forthcoming administration. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Matt Gaetz has been tapped for attorney general, while Tulsi Gabbard will get the top intel post
As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares for a second term following his recent electoral victory, he has begun unveiling key appointments for his upcoming administration. Below are some of his major selections thus far:
**Secretary of State: Marco Rubio**
Sen. Marco Rubio has been appointed to lead the State Department. Previously an early supporter of military aid to Ukraine, Rubio has made recent comments indicating a potential shift towards advocating for a negotiated settlement in the ongoing conflict. He also aligns with Trump’s stringent stance towards China, pushing for strict actions against Huawei and endorsing military aid for Taiwan.
**National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz**
Rep. Mike Waltz has been named national security adviser. A veteran of the US Army Special Forces, Waltz has served on various congressional committees relevant to armed services and intelligence. Regarding Ukraine, he has contended that Washington should leverage its influence to facilitate negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
**White House Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles**
Wiles would make history as the first woman to hold the chief of staff position. A seasoned political strategist, she is recognized as a crucial player in Trump’s successful reelection efforts, noted for her ability to maintain campaign discipline.
**CIA Director: John Ratcliffe**
Trump plans to nominate John Ratcliffe as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Ratcliffe, who previously represented Texas’ 4th congressional district and served as director of national intelligence in Trump’s first term, is known for his outspoken skepticism of intelligence agencies and his critiques of investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. In his prior role, he supported Trump’s positions on various national security issues and was involved in prominent controversies over intelligence analysis.
**National Intelligence Director: Tulsi Gabbard**
The president-elect has chosen former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for the role of director of national intelligence. Gabbard is acknowledged for her independent perspective and her open criticism of American foreign policy, especially regarding military interventions. She has been a staunch critic of aid directed to Ukraine. In 2016, she resigned from her position as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and left the Democratic Party six years later. Throughout her 2020 presidential campaign, she framed herself as an antiwar candidate, opposing US involvement in conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
**Attorney General: Matt Gaetz**
Rep. Matt Gaetz has been appointed as attorney general by Trump. Gaetz has previously voiced opposition to US military aid for Ukraine. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump highlighted the necessity to address what he referred to as the “partisan Weaponization of our Justice System," indicating 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 investigated him for alleged sexual crimes, although the investigation did not lead to any charges.
**Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy**
Trump has also appointed tech billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head a newly established Department of Government Efficiency, which will operate outside of the federal framework. Trump stated that Musk and Ramaswamy would aim to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, eliminate unnecessary regulations, cut down on waste, and reorganize federal agencies. He underscored that this new department would draw on external expertise and work closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares for a second term following his recent electoral victory, he has begun unveiling key appointments for his upcoming administration. Below are some of his major selections thus far:
**Secretary of State: Marco Rubio**
Sen. Marco Rubio has been appointed to lead the State Department. Previously an early supporter of military aid to Ukraine, Rubio has made recent comments indicating a potential shift towards advocating for a negotiated settlement in the ongoing conflict. He also aligns with Trump’s stringent stance towards China, pushing for strict actions against Huawei and endorsing military aid for Taiwan.
**National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz**
Rep. Mike Waltz has been named national security adviser. A veteran of the US Army Special Forces, Waltz has served on various congressional committees relevant to armed services and intelligence. Regarding Ukraine, he has contended that Washington should leverage its influence to facilitate negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
**White House Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles**
Wiles would make history as the first woman to hold the chief of staff position. A seasoned political strategist, she is recognized as a crucial player in Trump’s successful reelection efforts, noted for her ability to maintain campaign discipline.
**CIA Director: John Ratcliffe**
Trump plans to nominate John Ratcliffe as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Ratcliffe, who previously represented Texas’ 4th congressional district and served as director of national intelligence in Trump’s first term, is known for his outspoken skepticism of intelligence agencies and his critiques of investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. In his prior role, he supported Trump’s positions on various national security issues and was involved in prominent controversies over intelligence analysis.
**National Intelligence Director: Tulsi Gabbard**
The president-elect has chosen former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for the role of director of national intelligence. Gabbard is acknowledged for her independent perspective and her open criticism of American foreign policy, especially regarding military interventions. She has been a staunch critic of aid directed to Ukraine. In 2016, she resigned from her position as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and left the Democratic Party six years later. Throughout her 2020 presidential campaign, she framed herself as an antiwar candidate, opposing US involvement in conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
**Attorney General: Matt Gaetz**
Rep. Matt Gaetz has been appointed as attorney general by Trump. Gaetz has previously voiced opposition to US military aid for Ukraine. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump highlighted the necessity to address what he referred to as the “partisan Weaponization of our Justice System," indicating 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 investigated him for alleged sexual crimes, although the investigation did not lead to any charges.
**Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy**
Trump has also appointed tech billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head a newly established Department of Government Efficiency, which will operate outside of the federal framework. Trump stated that Musk and Ramaswamy would aim to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, eliminate unnecessary regulations, cut down on waste, and reorganize federal agencies. He underscored that this new department would draw on external expertise and work closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
