As Donald Trump prepares for his potential return to the White House in 2024, his recent flurry of cabinet nominations has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns among critics who fear the selections signal a shift towards a more extremist agenda compared to his initial picks in 2016.
Controversial Health Pick: RFK Jr.
Perhaps the most contentious of Trump’s new nominees is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. The environmental lawyer and son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy has risen to prominence in recent years as a vocal vaccine skeptic, promoting debunked theories linking immunizations to autism. One public health advocacy group decried the pick, calling Kennedy “a clear and present danger to the nation’s health.”
In contrast, Trump’s 2016 HHS Secretary, Tom Price, while a staunch critic of Obamacare, was a more conventional choice – an orthopedic surgeon turned congressman. However, Price ultimately resigned amid a scandal over his use of taxpayer funds for private jet travel.
“Woke” Military Critic for Defense
For Secretary of Defense, Trump has named Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and Army National Guard veteran who has been an outspoken critic of the military’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, which he has disparaged as “woke.” Senior Pentagon officials are reportedly stunned by the selection of Hegseth, who has minimal management experience, to oversee the vast Defense Department and its $800 billion budget.
Hegseth marks a stark departure from Trump’s 2016 pick, retired Marine General James Mattis, who was widely respected in military circles and seen by many as a moderating influence on the impulsive commander-in-chief – at least until his resignation less than two years into Trump’s term.
There are concerns that Pete Hegseth—who has minimal managerial experience – will be able to manage a government department with a budget of more than $800bn.
Senior military officer, via Army Times
Gaetz Nomination Raises Eyebrows
Trump’s selection of Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General has also generated significant controversy. Just over a year ago, Gaetz was under federal investigation for alleged sex trafficking, though ultimately not charged. He has denied any wrongdoing. Still, critics like Robert Weissman of the watchdog group Public Citizen argue that Gaetz has “demonstrated contempt for the rule of law, truth, and decency” and is “singularly unqualified” to lead the Justice Department.
In 2016, Trump picked then-Senator Jeff Sessions for the AG role – a choice backed by many Republicans but opposed by civil rights groups who pointed to past allegations of racism. Sessions’ tenure was marked by clashes with Trump over the Russia investigation before he was ultimately fired.
From Anti-Masker to Homeland Security
To lead the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement, Trump has tapped South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Noem rose to national prominence for her hands-off approach to the Covid-19 pandemic, resisting calls for mask mandates and other mitigation measures. She recently declared the US to be “in a time of invasion” at the southern border.
Noem’s background is in stark contrast to Trump’s 2016 DHS chief, retired Marine General John Kelly, whose nomination drew bipartisan praise at the time. Kelly later served as Trump’s chief of staff before the two had a falling out.
Former Rival Tapped for State
One relative bright spot for foreign policy experts has been Trump’s selection of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. The Florida senator and Trump’s one-time 2016 rival is known as a foreign policy hawk, particularly on China and Iran. While he has moderated some positions to align with Trump in recent years, he was still seen as the most conventional and qualified option on the short list for the role.
Marco Rubio’s selection [for Secretary of State] was greeted with relief by many in foreign policy circles.
Guardian analysis
In 2016, Trump tapped former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for the post, drawing scrutiny over his ties to Russia. Tillerson clashed with Trump on multiple fronts before being unceremoniously fired via tweet.
Intelligence Concerns
For the critical role of Director of National Intelligence, overseeing the nation’s 17 intelligence agencies, Trump has picked Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman with limited intelligence experience who left the party in 2022 and has since become a vocal Trump supporter. Gabbard has faced criticism for her skepticism of the US intelligence community and her controversial positions on Ukraine and Syria.
Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, herself a former CIA officer, said she was “appalled” by Gabbard’s nomination, adding that she was “deeply concerned about what this nomination portends for our national security.”
Trump’s first DNI, former Indiana senator Dan Coats, was a more traditional GOP pick initially praised by Republicans as a “dependable conservative.” But like many of Trump’s 2016 selections, he ultimate clashed with the president, particularly over Russia, before being pushed out.
Pattern of Loyalty Over Experience?
While Trump’s 2016 cabinet included its share of controversial and unorthodox figures, from alt-right champion Steve Bannon to neurosurgeon-turned-Housing Secretary Ben Carson, his 2024 selections have so far skewed even more heavily toward fierce loyalists and ideologues, even at the expense of relevant experience and qualifications.
With the Senate holding confirmation power, it remains to be seen how many of Trump’s picks will ultimately be approved, even with the chamber under GOP control. But the pattern has many in Washington bracing for a potential second Trump term that could be even more turbulent and norm-shattering than the first.
