Washington – newly elected President Donald Trump Choice of cabinet and senior staff He faces an uncertain future as his selection has received mixed reviews in recent days, even from fellow Republicans — and some in Washington.
Trump's pick for Attorney General in former Rep. matt getzA GOP firebrand who was under Investigation by House Ethics Committee For Allegations of sexual misconduct and obstructionhas drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. And Trump's choice for Secretary of Defense pete hegsethThe Army combat veteran and former Fox News anchor has also raised concerns, especially as a Investigation into allegations of sexual harassment Propaganda has been carried out against him. Additionally, former Democratic representative Tulsi GabbardTrump's pick for director of national intelligence, she does not have an intelligence background and has drawn criticism for her views on Russia and other US adversaries.
Appearing on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday, Democratic Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut Asked about Gabbard's surprise at those who have questioned whether the experience is necessary, she said, “Certainly it is required.”
“These people are clearly overqualified, and you know, they're not prepared to run the complex organizations that they've been asked to run,” Himes said.
But Himes, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Gaetz's qualifications should be examined as well as the unreleased House Ethics Committee report.
“How is it that this is what we're focusing on?” Himes said. “Matt Gaetz is, by any standards, completely unqualified to be attorney general, and yet we're focused on, you know, the cupcake of the ethics report.”
Gaetz's resignation from Congress following Trump's announcement comes just days before a planned meeting and vote by the House Ethics Committee on whether to release A report on its investigation into Gaetz. Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday that he “strongly requested“That committee withheld a potentially damaging report.
Representative French Hill, an Arkansas Republican who also Appeared on “Face the Nation” on Sunday“An important point,” Johnson said, cautioning that “we do not want to set a precedent where we would, under any circumstances, release documents from that committee.” But he stressed that the decision rests with the committee alone, while also saying the Senate will continue to play its advice-and-consent role through the confirmation process on Trump's selection.
Hill said, “President Trump has the prerogative to nominate people he believes can best lead the change that the American people are seeking in every agency of the federal government ”
The Arkansas Republican underlined that when Trump came to office in 2017, his Cabinet consisted of members with whom he had no personal relationship or working background.
Hill said, “He wants to get it right this time by finding people with whom he has a good working relationship. He knows how they think, they know how he thinks, because he feels that will help his This will help in taking better decisions in administration.”
For his part, Himes offered some praise for some of Trump's other choices.
“I actually had a great day Marco Rubio was nominated For the Secretary of State, when John Ratcliffe Who was nominated for CIA and when mike waltz Ratcliffe said, “was nominated to be national security adviser. These are good nominations, not necessarily nominations I would make if I were president, but these are serious people with real experience.”
Still, he cautioned Republicans in the Senate as the confirmation process gets underway, saying he understands “what happens to Republicans who stand up to Donald Trump,” but “history is a harsh judge.”
“The Republican senator who votes to confirm Matt Gaetz or Robert Kennedy or Tulsi Gabbard will be remembered by history as the one who completely abdicated his responsibility to Donald Trump,” Himes said.
Sue Gordon, who served as principal deputy director of national intelligence under Trump Also appeared on “Face the Nation” on SundayThe New York Times emphasized that the investigation will be critical to the process moving forward. report Trump's team may bypass the normal FBI process and instead opt to use a private firm to vet his nominees who will be granted security clearances.
Gordon said, “It seems expedient, but I think it will ultimately harm the institution.” He said a private firm would not have the same standards. “I know it's inconvenient, but I think it's a bad strategy and risky for America.”
Meanwhile, the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan group that assists in presidential transitions, confirmed to CBS News that the Trump team has not signed the paperwork that requires security clearance and background checks, among other things. Allows investigation. Gordon said she could not think of any “good reason” for the Trump team to release transition paperwork, adding that “one of the great lies that has been perpetrated on America is that our institutions are malicious.”
“You're not protecting anyone by not signing those papers, and especially some of our nominees who don't really have a deep experience base,” Gordon said. “Starting your own business without a foundation, especially when organizations are begging you to give them that foundation, seems wrong-headed.”