U.S. President-elect Tulsi Gabbard has begun making new appointments to her cabinet, with former President Donald Trump taking to social media to announce these prominent selections.

Trump confirmed the appointment of one of his most loyal supporters, Matt Gaetz, a Florida Congressman, as Secretary of Justice. Gaetz, known for his strong conservative stance, has been at the center of various investigations, and some Republican senators have voiced reservations about his nomination.

“Matt will end gun-grabbing, secure our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore Americans’ faith and trust in the Department of Justice,” Trump said in a statement.

Attorney General under scrutiny

Trump defended Gaetz’s record, citing his outspoken defense during previous investigations, where Gaetz actively opposed what he referred to as the “Russia hoax.”

In June, the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Gaetz over allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and obstruction of justice. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has consistently maintained his innocence. The Justice Department spent two years investigating claims that Gaetz engaged in inappropriate conduct with a minor and violated federal sex trafficking laws. However, in 2022, the department closed the investigation without filing charges.

Israel lobby reacts to Gaetz’s appointment

Gaetz’s appointment has stirred reactions, particularly within the Israel lobby in the United States. In 2018, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Republican Jewish Coalition criticized Gaetz for inviting Charles Johnson, a known Holocaust denier, as his guest to the State of the Union address. Johnson had publicly expressed doubts about the Holocaust, controversially claiming that “only 250,000 died of disease” rather than 6 million Jews.

Gaetz denied that Johnson was a Holocaust denier, telling BuzzFeed: “He’s not a Holocaust denier and he’s not anti-Semitic. He’s a provocateur. I should have vetted him better before inviting him to the State of the Union; I regret that I didn’t. I take responsibility for that.”

Former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard to lead Intelligence Agency

In addition to Gaetz’s nomination, Trump announced former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence.

“For more than two decades, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedoms of all Americans,” Trump stated. Gabbard, a former representative from Hawaii, served in the National Guard and held her House seat from 2013 to 2021. In 2022, she left the Democratic Party and became an independent before aligning with the Republican Party. “She is now a proud Republican!” Trump added.

Gabbard gained national attention during the 2020 Democratic primaries. In 2017, she traveled to Syria and controversially remarked that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad “is not an enemy of the United States,” explaining that her visit aimed to “see and hear directly from the Syrian people.”

President-elect Donald Trump continues to shape his cabinet, set to take office in January. Trump has nominated South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security. She will work closely with Border Czar Tom Homan to “secure the border and ensure that our American homeland is safe from our enemies,” Trump stated.

Kristi Noem, a devout Christian and the first woman elected governor of South Dakota, is now in her second term. Reflecting on her leadership in South Dakota, Trump highlighted Noem’s dedication to border security: “Kristi has been very strong on border security. She was the first governor to send National Guard troops to aid Texas during the Biden Border Crisis—a commitment she’s upheld eight times.”

Noem has faced criticism for controversial remarks suggesting South Dakota’s indigenous tribes benefit from the drug cartel industry. This statement led to her being banned from all nine reservations in the state.

Although not a border state governor, Noem has consistently taken a tough stance on immigration. In 2010, she supported an effort to block the Obama administration’s lawsuit against Arizona’s immigration law. During Trump’s first term, she called for punitive actions against sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Noem is also known as a strong supporter of Israel. Earlier this year, she signed a bill mandating that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism be used in discrimination investigations. The bill, titled “Ensuring the Safety of God’s Chosen People,” garnered praise from former Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who called Noem a “true friend of Israel.”

In March 2024, Noem faced a lawsuit from Travelers United, a consumer advocacy group, after endorsing a Texas-based cosmetic dentist without disclosing a financial relationship. Travelers United claimed Noem had begun “working as a social media influencer,” promoting services without transparency. Noem clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that she “never received any money” for these alleged endorsements.

New Israeli Ambassador Huckabee: ‘There is no such thing as a Palestinian’

Donald Trump announced that Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor, will serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel. A long-time ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Huckabee has consistently supported Jewish settlers and backs Israel’s claim to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

“Mike Huckabee loves Israel and the people of Israel. He will work tirelessly for peace in the Middle East,” Trump stated. Huckabee, an evangelical pastor and host on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), is a staunch defender of Israel’s historical rights in the West Bank and believes in Israel’s right to annex this region.

Fox News host Hegseth tapped to lead Pentagon

Trump’s selection of Fox News host and former military officer Pete Hegseth as head of the Pentagon surprised many. Hegseth, a vocal America First proponent, lacks traditional government or Pentagon experience, sparking discussion on Trump’s unconventional choice.

“Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s military will be great again, and our enemies will take notice,” Trump remarked.

Though Hegseth’s selection deviates from Trump’s other traditional security appointments, he has gained Trump’s respect through his book, The War on Our Warriors, which criticizes left-wing attitudes toward U.S. troops. Hegseth is a decorated Army combat veteran and former CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, a group funded by the Koch brothers that advocates for outsourcing veterans’ healthcare.

Hegseth also garnered Trump’s favor through his advocacy for the pardons of service members convicted of war crimes, including 1st Lieutenant Clint Lorance and Major Mathew Golsteyn.

CIA appointment: Ratcliffe’s anti-Iran stance

John Ratcliffe, former Director of National Intelligence, has been appointed CIA Director, reinforcing Trump’s hardline stance against Iran. Ratcliffe replaces Bill Burns, who led Biden’s attempts to broker ceasefires in Gaza.

An outspoken critic of Biden’s foreign policy, Ratcliffe has accused the administration of downplaying intelligence on Hamas to avoid escalation. He argues that deprioritizing Middle Eastern intelligence has left the U.S. vulnerable to terrorist threats. Ratcliffe also alleged Iranian interference in the 2020 election, accusing the regime of trying to “foment social unrest” in the U.S.

President-elect Donald Trump continues to assemble his cabinet, recently filling two critical posts: Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been appointed U.S. Secretary of State. Known for his tough stance on China, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela and as a staunch supporter of Israel, Rubio’s appointment highlights a foreign policy direction aligned with Trump’s hardline approach on international issues.

Rubio, who has previously questioned U.S. aid to Ukraine, recently suggested that the war has reached a stalemate and should be “brought to an end”:

“I think the Ukrainians have been incredibly brave and strong in standing up to Russia, but at the end of the day, what we’re funding here is a stalemated war, and it needs to be brought to a conclusion. I think there should be some common sense here,” he added.

Rubio also argued that “you don’t have to be a fan of Vladimir Putin to end the war,” indicating a pragmatic view of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Rubio’s ‘axis of evil’: China, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela

Rubio, a prominent China hawk sanctioned by Beijing in 2020 for his stance on Hong Kong protests, has consistently advocated for a firm U.S. stance against Chinese influence. In 2019, he called on the Treasury Department to launch a national security review of TikTok’s acquisition of Musical.ly, leading to an investigation and eventual divestment order.

As the ranking Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Rubio has also pressured the administration on Huawei, calling for a complete sales block after the sanctioned Chinese tech giant released a new laptop powered by Intel’s AI processor chip.

Waltz: A decorated Green Beret advocating for strong U.S. global role

Mike Waltz, a decorated Green Beret and Army veteran, brings extensive experience to his role as National Security Advisor. Waltz’s military service and work at the Pentagon are detailed in his book, The Warrior Diplomat: The Wars of a Green Beret from Washington to Afghanistan.

Since his election to Congress in 2018, Waltz has served on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committees. His views on U.S. national security and foreign policy align with Republican perspectives, affirming the key role of the United States in global affairs.

While Waltz has encouraged NATO allies to increase defense spending, he has refrained from endorsing Trump’s occasional calls for the U.S. to withdraw from NATO. “Look, we can be allies and friends and have tough negotiations,” he stated recently.

Waltz: China hawk and advocate for stronger sanctions on Russia

Waltz believes the U.S. should continue supporting Ukraine, though he recently recommended a reassessment of financial support. Known for his tough stance on China, he has argued that the U.S. should prepare for potential conflict in the Pacific and sponsored legislation to reduce dependence on critical minerals from China and protect American universities from Chinese espionage.

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Waltz frequently criticized President Joe Biden and the White House. In a recent NPR interview, he argued that it is “perfectly reasonable” to seek a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Waltz suggested that the U.S. could gain leverage over Russian President Vladimir Putin by imposing energy sanctions on Russia and increasing U.S. energy exports. “His economy and his war machine will dry up very quickly. I think that would bring Putin to the table,” he remarked, hinting that long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine could be used for strikes deeper into Russian territory.

Waltz: Bridging the gap between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley

Waltz’s new role as National Security Advisor could lead to stronger collaborations between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley. He advocates for a cultural shift in defense procurement and innovation, saying, “There are a lot of new technologies coming out of Silicon Valley and elsewhere that are really itching to help with our defense and security problems, and they can’t get through the bureaucracy.”

He concluded, “New leadership is essential, and a cultural change is needed.”