President-elect Donald Trump‘s latest cabinet picks are causing even some of his supporters discomfort, with many questioning the qualifications and character of his chosen candidates.
Two of the latest picks are Karoline Leavitt, the 27-year-old for White House press secretary, and Pete Hegseth, the 44-year-old National Guard veteran nominated to run the world’s most powerful military organization – the Pentagon, as Defense Secretary.
Leavitt, a conservative from New Hampshire, who has been a loyal supporter of Trump since his 2016 campaign. She worked as an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first stint as president and was a regular presence on his side in 2024.
Trump praised Leavitt, saying she “is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium and help deliver our message to the American People.“
In spite of her youth and inexperience, however, Leavitt has already made a name for herself as a fervent believer in Trump’s “America First” anti-immigrant agenda. She has also shared her disdain for traditional media companies, telling reporters she had spent the campaign “battling a lot of ‘fake news’ reporters. I hate to call them that, but it’s true.” A rhetoric that is straight from Trump’s playbook.
However, Leavitt’s appointment has raised concerns about her ability to handle the high pressure of the White House press secretary job. Critics have pointed out that she lacks experience managing large organizations and has a limited background in journalism.
Inexperienced National Guard As Defense Sec.
Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth’s nomination to run the Pentagon is even more disconcerting. Critics point equally to his lack of experience managing large organizations, let alone the largest military machinery in the world.
Hegseth, a 44-year-old National Guard veteran, has been accused of sexual assault in 2017, according to police, and there have been reports linking him to white supremacy.
Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, denied the allegations, saying they were “already investigated by the Monterey police department, and they found no evidence for it.” Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, also defended Hegseth, saying that he “has vigorously denied any accusations, and no charges were filed.“
Although no charges were filed regarding the assault, the allegations may have politically dented his character somewhat and challenged his fitness for the role of defense secretary.
Despite the controversy surrounding Hegseth’s nomination, Trump expressed confidence in his ability to lead the Pentagon.
Hegseth’s hearing in the Senate will likely be contentious, with many Democrats saying they’re firmly opposed to his nomination.
This speech is why Trump appointed Pete Hegseth Secretary of Defense and he’s exactly right. pic.twitter.com/CaC9hUDRma
— @amuse (@amuse) November 14, 2024
The accusations against Hegseth come as Trump’s pick for attorney general, far-right former congressman Matt Gaetz, faces scrutiny over his sexual misconduct allegations as well. Trump himself was convicted of financial wrongdoing and found liable for defaming and sexually abusing an author. His sentencing was caught up by the elections and is now irrelevant because of his constitutional immunity from January 20, 2025.
As Trump’s cabinet picks continue to generate controversy, many wonder what Trump 2.0 would be like. Trump could get pushback on Hegseth’s nominations during Senate confirmation, but White House Chief Press Secretary nominee Karoline Leavitt has no such worry. Her position of Press Secretary requires no congressional approval.
Trump story, ft Taylor Swift 🎶 pic.twitter.com/sXcthzK3eY
— JonC Memes (@JonCovering) November 15, 2024
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