President-elect Trump stunned Washington with two controversial picks to lead important law enforcement and intelligence roles in his administration, tapping Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to serve as attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic representative, to serve in the nation’s top intelligence job.
Trump tapped a loyalist to lead a Justice Department he has railed against both inside and outside of the White House — one he sees as a vehicle for carrying out the retribution he has vowed his perceived enemies would see under a second term.
In Gabbard, Trump selected a figure who has floated numerous conspiracy theories that defy the conclusions reached by the U.S. intelligence agencies she would oversee. She has routinely espoused narratives likewise peddled by Russia.
Gaetz’s selection seemed to catch lawmakers off guard. He was not among the names reported to be up for the position, and Democrats are sure to raise that he was previously investigated as part of a sex-trafficking probe launched by the Justice Department.
As House Republicans met Wednesday afternoon to start leadership elections, one source said there were audible gasps when Gaetz was announced as Trump’s pick for attorney general.
The picks also raise questions about Trump’s ability to get his nominees through even a Republican-led Senate.
“It’ll just be interesting to see what his organic base is,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said of Gaetz. “At the end of the day, Congressman Gaetz, he’ll have a hearing, but I’m all about counting votes and I would think that he’s probably got some work cut out for him to get a good strong vote.”
“We’re not going to get a single Democrat vote,” he said.
Gabbard is also likely to be a tough sell, and is expected to face opposition from a number of former high-ranking national security and intelligence officials.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence prepares the President’s Daily Brief, summarizing information collected among the 18 intelligence agencies so that the president can make key national security and foreign policy decisions.
Gabbard has made a slew of pro-Russia comments that have prompted criticism on both sides of the aisle.
