Global

Trump Selects Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, Rubio and Gabbard for Key Roles in Cabinet Shake-up

President-elect Donald Trump has made several high-profile Cabinet appointments, choosing Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida as Attorney General, Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, and former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence.

These picks, which prioritise loyalty over experience, have sparked surprise and debate within the political community.

Gaetz’s selection as Attorney General came as a major shock. While the Florida lawmaker has built a national reputation as a staunch defender of Trump and a disruptor within Congress, he was not considered a frontrunner for the position.

Gaetz had previously irked fellow Republicans by spearheading the resolution to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. His appointment has drawn mixed reactions, with GOP Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho expressing that it was “about as big a surprise as I’ve had in a long time.”

Trump, however, praised Gaetz as the right choice to “root out the systemic corruption at the DOJ,” vowing to return the department to its “true mission of fighting Crime, and upholding our Democracy and Constitution.”

Gaetz, who represents much of Florida’s Panhandle, has been a vocal and frequent defender of Trump, often appearing on cable news to criticise the establishment and push the President’s agenda. His selection follows a pattern seen in Trump’s other picks: prioritising loyalty to the President over deep-rooted expertise in the field.

In early 2023, Gaetz made waves within the GOP when he led the resolution that successfully ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. This move created a bitter rift within the party, with McCarthy backing a primary challenge to Gaetz. The challenge included commercials that alleged Gaetz had paid for sex with a 17-year-old, an accusation that has been investigated by the House Ethics Committee. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and the Justice Department ultimately ended its own sex trafficking investigation without filing charges against him.

In a related announcement, Trump confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio as his choice for Secretary of State. Rubio, once a vocal critic of Trump during the 2016 GOP primaries, has evolved into one of the President’s strongest allies, especially on foreign policy. A hawk on China, Cuba, and Iran, Rubio’s nomination marks a significant shift in his relationship with Trump.

Rubio, who is known for his hard stance on China and his role in pushing for tougher measures on social media app TikTok, is expected to strengthen the U.S. position on global security and diplomacy. Trump praised Rubio as a “strong Advocate for our Nation,” a “true friend to our Allies,” and a “fearless Warrior” against adversaries.

Trump’s third major appointment was that of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman and presidential candidate, made headlines when she switched parties, aligning herself with Trump’s vision.

Known for her military background, including service in the Army National Guard, Gabbard has become a prominent figure in Trump’s political circles. Her nomination, which has drawn praise from Trump’s supporters, is seen as a strategic move to bring a fresh perspective to the intelligence community. Trump lauded Gabbard as someone who would “champion our Constitutional Rights” and secure peace through strength.

Alongside these appointments, Trump also announced several staff appointments, including longtime aides such as Dan Scavino, who will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff, and Stephen Miller, who will be Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Adviser. These moves signal a commitment to surround himself with loyalists who align closely with his vision for the country.

As the President-elect’s Cabinet takes shape, these choices reflect Trump’s ongoing commitment to stocking his administration with allies who share his worldview, aiming to implement his agenda with trusted figures in key positions.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

Follow us on:

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

Recent Posts

NCAA Renews Aerodrome Certificates For Abuja and Lagos Airports

The NCAA has renewed the Aerodrome certificates of Nnamdi Azikiwe and Murtala Muhammed airports, reflecting…

1 min ago

Wike Defends Judiciary Quarters Project, Says Criticism Won’t Distract Him From Working

FCT Minister Wike has said he has no regrets over the construction of judiciary quarters…

23 mins ago

Nigerian Government Conforms Arrest Of Simon Ekpa, Promises To Monitor Legal Proceedings

The Nigerian government has confirmed Simon Ekpa’s arrest in Finland, promising to provide updates as…

28 mins ago

Obasanjo: Nigeria Must Overcome The ‘Great Monster’ That Is Corruption To Make Progress

Obasanjo, at the funeral of former ICPC Chairman Olayinka Ayoola, said that Nigeria must fight…

30 mins ago

Court of Appeal Reserves Judgement on Fubara’s Suit Appealing Halting Of Rivers Monthly Allocations

The Appeal Court has reserved its judgement as Governor Fubara challenged the ruling halting allocations…

1 hour ago

Foreign Transactions On NGX Hit ₦744.34bn in 10 Months, Up 156% YoY

The NGX has seen a record foreign investor transaction activity, with a 156% YoY increase…

1 hour ago