Rubio, Gabbard, Gaetz in Trump’s Cabinet!
Washington, Nov 13 (EFE) –
United States President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday the nomination of Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state, former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, and Republican congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general.
Rubio, of Cuban descent and born in Miami in 1971, is s the first Latino to be appointed Secretary of State.
He is a foreign policy hawk, supporting a hard stance with China, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, and gained popularity when he participated in the primaries for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.
Trump called him a “highly respected leader and a very strong voice for freedom.”
“He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” the president-elect added.
Rubio responded with a statement saying that leading the State Department is a “tremendous responsibility” and that he is “honored by the trust (of) President Trump.”
“As Secretary of State, I will work every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda. Under the leadership of President Trump, we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else,” he added.
Attorney General
Trump also announced Wednesday the nomination of Representative Matt Gaetz, from the hardline wing of the party, as attorney general.
Gaetz, 42, has represented Florida in the Lower House since January 2017.
“It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States. Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney,” Trump said in a statement.
Gaetz has been one of the most loyal supporters in Trump’s attempts to deny the results of the 2020 election, which he voted to overturn.
Additionally, in October 2023, Gaetz led the Republican revolt to oust then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy because McCarthy had cut legislative deals with Democrats.
Gaetz was under investigation for sexual misconduct for having sex with a 17-year-old girl and paying for her travel. The Justice Department dropped the investigation, but the House Ethics Committee announced it was launching its own investigation.
Director of National Intelligence
Finally, Trump on Wednesday nominated former congresswoman and former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence.
Gabbard, served in the US military in Iraq, and as Democratic congresswoman representing Hawaii for four terms.
She ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primary before leaving the party in 2022 to become a Trump supporter.
As director of national intelligence, a cabinet-level position, Gabbard will oversee the US intelligence community with its multiple agencies, including the CIA, NSA, and FBI intelligence divisions.
“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength,” Trump said in the statement announcing her appointment.
During her time as a congressman, Gabbard traveled to Syria and claimed to have met with Bashar al-Assad at a time when Washington was supporting the side trying to overthrow him.
In the final stretch of the recent campaign, she appeared at a Trump event in North Carolina to announce she was joining the Republican Party and advised the then-Republican candidate in his only debate against Democratic candidate and vicepresident Kamala Harris. EFE
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