"The Definition of Madness".
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen does not mince words when he comments on Trump's appointments of environmental lawyer Robert F Kennedy as Health Minister and Representative Matt Gaetz as Justice Minister on X.
Kennedy, who has run his own presidential campaign, is known for being a vaccine skeptic and for spreading conspiracy theories – but has also received praise for his lawsuits against large pharmaceutical and oil companies.
You're going to do incredible things, said a pleased Trump, according to NPR, about the appointment.
In social media, Trump writes that Americans have been "crushed" by the food and pharmaceutical industries for too long, that they have engaged in "betrayal, inaccuracies, and misinformation about public health".
A Political Weapon?
Van Hollen's reaction is in line with many Democrats and some Republicans. It is important because ministerial posts require a green light from the Senate. Republicans have secured 53 of the 100 seats there, but it is not certain that all members will follow the party line.
Even Matt Gaetz's nomination sparks strong emotions. The Florida Republican has been investigated for suspected human trafficking and abuse of power, and has followed Trump's line on alleged electoral fraud in 2020.
But Trump writes in a statement that Gaetz is the right person to stop the "justice system being used as a political weapon" – likely referring to the charges he himself has faced.
Add to that the fact that lawyer Gaetz offers the quality Trump may value most: loyalty.
So does Peter Hegseth, a program host on conservative Fox News, whom Trump wants to see as Defense Minister.
Hegseth has been a national guardist and has served at the military base Guantánamo Bay in Cuba and in Iraq. But the fact that a TV personality with so little experience should lead the world's most powerful military might makes some in the Pentagon's defense headquarters see red, according to media.
Hegseth is close to Trump and shares his questioning of "woke" programs (a collective term for awareness of justice and inclusion, seen by some as excessive political correctness). He has also questioned women's role in combat and opposed a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Changing Sides
Another controversial appointment is that of Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic presidential candidate, national guardist, and congresswoman from Hawaii, as national intelligence chief. This is because she is seen as inexperienced and Moscow-friendly, and is often quoted in state-controlled Russian media, writes The New York Times.
Gabbard became a Republican and backed Trump as recently as August.
Tina Magnergård Bjers/TT
Facts: Donald Trump's New Government
TTTT
Here is a selection of the appointments made by USA's future President Donald Trump so far.
White House staff (does not require Senate approval):
Susie Wiles, Trump campaign chief: chief of staff
Stephen Miller, long-time Trump advisor on immigration issues: deputy chief of staff with a focus on policy issues
Tom Homan, former head of the border agency Ice: "border czar", responsible for the promised deportations of millions of undocumented immigrants.
Mike Waltz, Representative from Florida: national security advisor
Elon Musk, super entrepreneur, and Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur and former presidential candidate: heads of Doge, which will work on government efficiency
.
Ministers and other high-ranking posts (require Senate approval, where Republicans will have a majority in January):
Robert F Kennedy, activist and lawyer: Health Minister
Matt Gaetz, Representative from Florida: Justice Minister
Pete Hegseth, military veteran and program host: Defense Minister
Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota: Interior Minister
Marco Rubio, Senator from Florida: Foreign Minister
Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic Representative from Hawaii: national intelligence chief
Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota: Minister for Homeland Security
John Ratcliffe, former intelligence chief and former Representative from Texas: CIA chief
Elise Stefanik, Representative from New York: UN Ambassador
Lee Zeldin, former Representative from New York: head of the Environmental Protection Agency EPA
Sources: Time, AP, Axios, etc.
