The elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced part of his foreign policy team, nominating Pete Hegseth, Fox News host and army veteran, as Secretary of Defense, and John Ratcliffe, former Director of National Intelligence, to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe, a former Republican congressman from Texas, held the position of National Intelligence Director at the end of Trump's first term, leading government intelligence agencies during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Trump, Hegseth will be a "brave and patriotic champion" who defends the policy of "Peace through strength," while Ratcliffe has been highlighted as a strong advocate for the troops. Additionally, the elected president appointed former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the United States Ambassador to Israel and Steven Witkoff as Special Envoy to the Middle East, among other appointments.
As for Hegseth, 44 years old, he is co-host of the "Fox & Friends Weekend" program on Fox News Channel and has been a contributor to the network since 2014. Although he does not have experience as a high-ranking military officer or in national security matters, his nomination has raised doubts about his credentials to lead the Department of Defense. The new Secretary of Defense was a captain of infantry in the Army National Guard and has served overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay.
On the other hand, Ratcliffe, who held the position of Director of National Intelligence, has been criticized by Democrats for declassifying damaging Russian intelligence information about Democrats during the 2016 presidential election. Nevertheless, Trump has appointed him to lead the CIA.
In summary, Trump is announcing a series of appointments and candidates for his upcoming administration, highlighting a smoother and faster transition compared to his first term after the 2016 victory. It is important to note that these appointments will need to be confirmed by the Senate, which will generate further debate and scrutiny in the coming days.
