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President-elect Donald Trump has announced his nominees for key positions in his upcoming administration. Among the notable selections is Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., nominated for attorney general despite recent investigations by the House Ethics Committee. Other appointees include Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., as national security adviser; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for secretary of state; Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota for the Interior Department; and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as U.S ambassador to the United Nations.
In a statement on November 13, Trump expressed confidence in Rubio's leadership: “Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom,” he said. Rubio responded with gratitude, stating, “Leading the U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility, and I am honored by the trust President Trump has placed in me.”
Stefanik's nomination comes amid her strong support for Trump during her tenure in Congress. However, some appointments are expected to face challenges during Senate confirmations, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, and Gaetz as attorney general.
Gaetz's nomination has drawn criticism due to allegations related to sex trafficking investigations. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation urged the Senate not to confirm him while serious allegations remain unresolved.
Former Vice President Mike Pence publicly opposed Kennedy’s nomination due to his pro-abortion stance: “The Trump-Pence administration was unapologetically pro-life for our four years in office,” Pence stated on November 15 through Advancing American Freedom.
A panel at Georgetown University examined voting patterns from the 2024 elections concerning abortion access and support for Trump. Panelist Ryan Burge noted that many voters supported both Trump and abortion access initiatives.
Kate Scanlon reports from Washington for OSV News.
