Trump’s Controversial Cabinet Picks
In the weeks following the election victory of former President Donald Trump, the president-elect has been preparing his transition into office which will happen on January 20th of the new year. One main preparation Trump has made has been choosing his candidate nominations, many of which will need to be approved by the Senate, which could conduct hearings before the January 20th inauguration, or in the days following.
The current cabinet picks have been subject to criticism, with many news outlets specifically highlighting their lack of qualifications and many controversies. The following is a short list of the top contenders for the “Who is the most unqualified and controversial cabinet nominee?!” portion of our new and improved United States government!
Department of Education Nominee: Former WWE CEO
Senate approval: Needed
Former WWE CEO, Linda McMahon, was nominated as the United States Secretary of Education. McMahon previously led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term. The former CEO’s friendship with the President-Elect is a long-standing one, being one of the first donors for his 2016 campaign and a consistent supporter of his politics. Within the 2024 Presidential Election, McMahon’s support remained steadfast, with her aiding in the vetting process of cabinet candidates, as well as drafting executive orders as early as August of this year.
In terms of previous experience, there is an apparent lack thereof. McMahon’s experience within the scope of education, whether it is as an administrator or an educator, is minute, with her previously acting on the Connecticut State Board of Education for a year after her appointment to the position in 2009.
DNI Nominee: Russia “Sympathizer”
Senate approval: Needed
Former 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate, former United States Representative, and former U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard was nominated as Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard was previously a registered Democrat (most notably during the 2020 Presidential race), though left the Party in 2022 with a very critical farewell message, and then registered as an independent. Gabbard officially joined the Republican Party in October of this year.
Previous criticisms of Gabbard include allegedly being a Russian sympathizer (a unique characteristic for being the head of 18 spy agencies) and pushing forward Russian propaganda during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as previously working for her father’s “anti-gay” organization, which she has publicly expressed remorse over.
Health and Human Services Department Nominee: No to vaccines, yes to raw milk, metal poisoning therapy treats autism?
Senate approval: Needed
The former 2024 third-party Presidential candidate, Robert F. Kennedy, dropped out of the Presidential race and subsequently endorsed Trump.
In terms of his medical opinions, RFK Jr. does not believe that HIV causes AIDS, he is a vaccine skeptic, he is pro raw milk despite its health risks, and has promoted outlets that have discussed using chelation (a therapy to treat high levels of heavy metals in the blood) as a way to treat autism.
Previous experience in the medical field includes nothing, as he is an environmental lawyer "with no formal training in medicine or public health."
Medicare - Medicaid Nominee: Dr. Oz
Senate approval: Needed
Dr. Mehmet Oz is a television personality, with his show, The Dr. Oz Show.
Dr. Oz is a licensed physician and was a celebrity doctor, though he stopped performing surgeries in 2018. Though a popular daytime show, it seemed to push misleading rhetoric, such as promoting hydroxychloroquine, stating it "would be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of COVID," though this claim has been debunked. In 2014, the British Medical Journal found in a study of the claims made on The Dr. Oz Show, that evidence only supported 46% of claims, 15% of claims were "contradicted," and no evidence was found for the remaining 39%.
