Donald Trump taps loyalists Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard for key roles

Donald Trump has stirred more unrest in Washington's national security and law enforcement sectors by appointing two contentious supporters to lead the US Department of Justice and the nation's intelligence agencies.

The appointment of Matt Gaetz, a divisive Republican congressman, as attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, as director of national intelligence, reflects Trump's rapid efforts to fill his cabinet with loyal followers.

The actions quickly sparked backlash, with many suggesting that the president-elect is overlooking qualifications in favor of appointing his most loyal supporters to key positions in the government.

Before the announcements of Gaetz and Gabbard's nominations on Wednesday, Trump drew attention by choosing Pete Hegseth, a military veteran and host at Fox News, as his candidate for secretary of defense. Additionally, Trump has opted for some more traditional selections for key roles, such as nominating Florida Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state.

Gaetz's suggestion to appoint an attorney general aligns with Trump's promises to reform the U.S. Department of Justice. This push for change is a response to the criminal inquiries and charges that federal prosecutors have pursued against Trump in recent years.

"One of the most pressing concerns in the United States is putting an end to the misuse of our legal system for political gain. Matt plans to put a stop to the abuse of governmental power, secure our borders, break down criminal syndicates, and rebuild the trust and confidence that Americans have lost in the justice system," Trump shared on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday.

At 42, Gaetz initially pursued a career in law, working in Florida for two years before entering politics. Since then, he has been a prominent figure among the far-right faction in Congress, backing several of Trump's most contentious policies and justifying his conduct prior to the violent events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Gaetz was also instrumental in the removal of Kevin McCarthy from his position as the Republican speaker of the House last year.

Earlier this year, Gaetz joined a group of conservative legislators who went to Manhattan to stand by Trump while he faced his “hush money” trial, asserting that the case was being handled by a “corrupt judge.”

He has leveraged his role on the House Judiciary Committee to challenge the Department of Justice on several matters, including claims that Elon Musk was unfairly singled out for supposed discrimination against refugees at SpaceX.

Musk, who has become a major supporter of Trump and has been closely involved with the president-elect as various candidates vie for key positions in the upcoming administration, took to X to say, "The Force of Justice is on the way."

Gaetz, who has stepped down from his position in the House, would require approval from the Senate. Although Republicans will hold a majority in the Senate with a 53 to 47 vote starting in January, initial responses to his potential appointment indicate that he might encounter significant challenges.

Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine expressed her surprise to reporters on Capitol Hill regarding Trump's selection. She mentioned, "I'm certain there will be numerous questions brought up during Mr. Gaetz's hearing."

When asked for his thoughts on the appointment, South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Trump and soon to be the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, responded, "I’m not sure at this moment. I’ll need to consider it."

Trump has expressed that he intends to pursue "revenge" against those he believes have wronged him and has advocated for taking legal action against his rivals. If Gaetz is appointed to this position, it could create a situation where Trump could express his anger towards others and rely on a personal attorney general to execute his various desires, according to a former high-ranking official from the Department of Justice.

While Gaetz may not seem like an obvious choice, Daniel Richman, a former federal prosecutor, pointed out that the U.S. has seen a pattern where attorneys general are selected more for their personal connections to the president than for their qualifications or experience in the Department of Justice or other legal fields.

Gaetz was formerly being looked into by the Department of Justice concerning accusations of sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl and obstructing justice. However, this investigation was closed in 2023. Additionally, the US House of Representatives examined Gaetz for supposed ethical violations, which included claims of sexual misconduct, drug use, and accepting gifts. He has firmly denied all of these accusations.

Earlier today, in a decision that has sparked significant debate, Trump appointed Gabbard, recognized for her pro-Russian stance, to oversee US intelligence agencies. This choice is expected to alarm many of America's allies.

Gabbard's nomination comes after her swift transition into one of Trump's key supporters, only four years after she competed in the Democratic presidential primary to oppose him in the race for the White House.

Trump stated, "I am confident that Tulsi will bring the courageous attitude that has marked her remarkable career to our intelligence community, advocating for our constitutional rights and ensuring peace through strength."

Gabbard has a history of taking stances that align with Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This includes holding NATO and President Joe Biden's administration responsible for Russia's extensive invasion of Ukraine that started in February 2022. Additionally, she has stated that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is not considered an "enemy" of the United States.

Abigail Spanberger, a Democratic member of the House and ex-CIA officer, expressed her shock on X regarding Gabbard's nomination. She stated, "She's not only unqualified and lacking the necessary preparation, but she also spreads conspiracy theories and has close ties with dictators such as Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin."

"My Republican peers who have strength should voice their opinions," she remarked.

Further contributions to this report were made by Lauren Fedor and Alex Rogers from Washington.