Name: Trump's Picks for New Administration Prompts Mixed Reactions
Uploaded: 2024-11-15T10:40:23.000Z
Description: President-elect Donald Trump’s nominations and appointments for key roles in his upcoming administration have prompted mixed reactions.

Jason Perry is an Army veteran and NTD's national security correspondent. Jason primarily covers border security, national defense, foreign wars, and veterans' issues.

Jason Perry

NTD Plus

News

News with integrity, from the United States and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

Anthropic: Humans Could Soon Lose Control Over AI

David Lam is a national correspondent based in California and a part-time anchor for "NTD Tonight." Before joining NTD he was a financial analyst.

David Lam

California Prepares to Host FIFA World Cup Matches

Sam Wang is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Sam covers politics on Capitol Hill, and U.S.-China relations. 

Sam Wang

Citizens Weigh Newly Painted Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

D-day Was ‘The Most Complex Mission in Modern Military History’: Retired Navy SEAL

Jason Blair is a national correspondent for NTD News based in California. 

Jason Blair

48 Charged in Texas Over Major Drug Trafficking Operation

Dave Martin is NTD's Senior Sports Reporter and sports analyst. He also hosts "Data Hub" segments during NTD's special election coverage, "The Nation Decides."

Dave Martin

NBA Finals Game 2: Can Spurs Tie Series vs Knicks?

Jack Bradley is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Jack previously anchored "NTD Newsroom" and worked as an assistant producer for the show. 

Jack Bradley

Lawmakers Probe CCP Threat Inside America

Arian Pasdar is an international correspondent for NTD News based in South America. His reporting focuses on immigration and key events in Latin America.

Arian Pasdar

Hezbollah Terrorist Group Rejects US-Brokered Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire

Photojournalist Recounts 1989 Tiananmen Massacre Experience

Lawmakers Remember Tiananmen Square Massacre

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 6)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 5)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 4)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 3)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 2)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 1)

Chris Beers is an NTD News anchor and political correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Chris co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Chris Beers

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 31)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 29)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 28)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 27)

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

State News

California

More Than 17,000 Under Evacuation Orders as Southern California Wildfire Threatens Homes

Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for NTD. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017 and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding, or at home meditating—which helps fuel his active lifestyle.

Rudy Blalock

40,000 Ordered to Evacuate as Chemical Tank Leaks, Threatens Explosion in California

Video of US Fighter Jet Shooting Down UFO Over Lake Huron Emerges in New Pentagon Files

Mary Man is a writer for NTD. She has traveled around the world covering China, international news, and arts and culture.

Mary Man

Daniel Monaghan is a reporter for NTD News covering culture, social issues, and education. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government.

Daniel Monaghan

China News

Epoch Times Obtains Over 2,000 Unseen Tiananmen Square Photos on 37th Anniversary of the June 4th Massacre

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

Sports News

Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Champion, Dies at 41

Haika Mrema

Medical Plane Crash in New Mexico Mountains Kills 4, Sparks Wildfire

California Mayor Resigns, Will Plead Guilty to Acting as Chinese Agent

Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.

Jill McLaughlin

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

Scott Pelley Fired by ’60 Minutes’ After Clash With Management

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominations and appointments for key roles in his upcoming administration have prompted mixed reactions.

Trump continues to build his new team, announcing his choices this week for high-profile positions in his Cabinet and senior advisor roles.

Here are some of his picks that have gained the most attention.
<h2>Attorney General: Matt Gaetz</h2>
Trump on Wednesday tapped Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to serve as U.S. Attorney General, calling him a “deeply gifted and “tenacious” lawyer.

Gaetz is unpopular with many fellow House Republicans for his push to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

He was the center of the House Ethics Committee’s ongoing probe into sex trafficking allegations. Gaetz resigned from Congress on Wednesday, which means that the committee’s investigation ends and the report on its probe will not be issued. Gaetz has long denied the accusations.

Other Republicans on Wednesday and Thursday said they would consider Gaetz’s nomination with an open mind or noted favorably his advocacy for Trump. Gaetz is a longtime Trump supporter and frequently campaigned for him.

Incoming Senate GOP leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said: “That’s probably a good question for the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.” Thune said confirming Trump's nominations will be a priority next year and senators “should expect an aggressive schedule until his nominees are confirmed.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the likely next chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: “I suppose I’ll have to look at it. That’s all I can say at this point because I don’t know much about Matt Gaetz.”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a Republican member of the Judiciary committee, said he expects “any and all” information on the nominees will be made available.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) calls Gaetz “one of the most intelligent” members of Congress and “a reformer in his mind and heart." “I think he'll bring a lot to the table on that.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said “a lot of people will try to brand him [Gaetz] just as a firebrand. But the fact is that there is a lot of strategy behind" Gaetz's effort to oust McCarthy.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who was named by Trump as his nominee for the secretary of state, said: “I’ve known Matt for a very long time. We’re friends. I think he would do a very good job for the president.”

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said: “Matt Gaetz and I, there’s no question, we’ve had our differences. I completely trust President Trump’s decision-making on this one. But at the same time, [Gaetz] has to come to ... the Senate and sell himself. There’s a lot of questions that are going to be out there. He’s got to answer those questions.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said: “Obviously the president [Trump] has the right to nominate whomever he wishes, but this is where the Senate’s advise and consent process is so important. I’m sure that there will be many, many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing if in fact the nomination goes forward,"

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho): “That was about as big a surprise as I’ve had in a long time. I have a really hard time believing he could get through the Senate confirmation process. You never know.”

Cameron Hamilton, former division director at the Department of Homeland Security and Navy SEAL combat veteran, thinks Trump is sending a message through this appointment.

Hamilton <a href="https://www.ntd.com/trump-wants-to-correct-the-ship-at-the-doj-by-appointing-gaetz-as-attorney-general-former-division-director-at-dhs_1028689.html">told NTD</a> that Gaetz would "correct the ship" at the Department of Justice (DOJ). He is among the few legislators who have spoken out aggressively about the DOJ and questioned why it continues to be funded when it is being used to weaponize Americans, according to Hamilton.

Gaetz is a "uniquely qualified" person to hold this position because he has been a target of DOJ investigations. Gaetz would be an equal arbitrator of law because has challenged both Republicans and Democrats, Hamilton said.

Democrats in the House and the Senate have expressed concerns over the nominations and also over the independence of the Senate.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, said: "He does have a mandate to make changes. The question is, how much of what kind? And I think it is exactly the Senate's role, historically, constitutionally, to put some boundaries or guardrails around how much change."

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), ranking member of House Oversight Committee, said: "I can't imagine any Democrats supporting him. And then the question is, you know, what will they do with moderate Republicans? The Republicans have already shown that they're willing to act independent of Donald Trump's direct orders in the selection of John Thune as the leader of their conference. So I imagine it's going to be an uphill fight for Matt Gaetz."

Sen. Dick Durbin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would consider the Gaetz nomination, called on the House Ethics Committee to “preserve and share their report" with the panel.
<h2>Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth</h2>
Trump picked Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.

Trump described Hegseth as “tough” and “smart,” claiming that the nation’s enemies will be “on notice” under his leadership.

Hegseth, a former Army National Guard captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has earned two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. A Princeton and Harvard graduate, Hegseth spent eight years as a Fox News host and wrote the bestseller “The War on Warriors,” a critique of left-wing policies undermining the military.

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised Trump’s choice of Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, saying that he “brings a lot to the table.”

“He’s got experience and I think he’ll be reform-minded in the areas that need reform,” Johnson said.

By contrast, Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said he expects Hegseth’s nomination to face Senate opposition, citing limited policymaking experience for the role.

“There is reason for concern that this is not a person who is a serious enough policymaker, serious enough policy implementer, to do a successful job,” Smith said, adding that there is “no question” that Hegseth’s combat experience is a plus.

Hamilton <a href="https://www.ntd.com/trump-wants-to-correct-the-ship-at-the-doj-by-appointing-gaetz-as-attorney-general-former-division-director-at-dhs_1028689.html">told</a> NTD that Hegseth is opposed to such progressive politics plaguing the upper ranks of the military community.

The military should be focused on wartime readiness and ensuring troops are ready for conflict and Hegseth is qualified to lead in that capacity, according to Hamilton.

He also said that Trump's defense secretary pick is similar to Gaetz as they are both "fighters."
<h2>Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard</h2>
Trump nominated Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic member of Congress and presidential candidate, to serve as Director of National Intelligence.

Trump highlighted Gabbard’s military experience, having served through three deployments in war zones in the Middle East and Africa. He also cited her switch to the Republican Party.

Hamilton <a href="https://www.ntd.com/trump-wants-to-correct-the-ship-at-the-doj-by-appointing-gaetz-as-attorney-general-former-division-director-at-dhs_1028689.html">told NTD</a> that Gabbard offers a more “aggressive, forward-leaning perspective on her military service” and “understands the nuances of the intelligence community.”

Gabbard has been directly targeted by the same intelligence communities that she is now tapped to lead.

“She been placed on the terror watch list, she’s been placed on the TSA ‘no fly list,’ she’s an individual that has been directly targeted by some of these intel organizations,” Hamilton said, adding that Trump is signaling for a new sheriff in town and the people who were most scrutinized will now be in charge.

While Gabbard has been praised for her military experience, some critics say Trump's pick does not have the typical intelligence experience that past officeholders have had under their belt going into such a high-profile position.

<em>The Associated Press and Epoch Times reporter Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.</em>

Latest

Videos

Politics

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

Management

Donald Trump

Luis Eduardo Martinez is a correspondent for NTD News based in Washington. He holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Democratic Politics from the University of Westminster in London, England.

Luis Eduardo Martinez

Rachel Acenas is an experienced journalist and TV news reporter and anchor covering breaking stories and contributing original news content for NTD's digital team.

Rachel Acenas

President-elect Donald Trump

Pete hegseth

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.