Justice: Gaetz's choice displeases Republicans

NEW YORK With the latest appointments Donald Trump may have crossed the line, even for Republicans. The president-elect chose far-right Congressman Matt Gaetz, accused of ethics violations, as Justice Secretary. And former Democrat and Maga convert Tulsi Gabbard, suspected of promoting Russian propaganda in the US, to lead National Intelligence. They are both loyalists of the tycoon, but have been met with some resistance among the conservatives themselves: some more moderate exponents have denounced the total absence of the necessary skills to be part of the new government. Maine Senator Susan Collins said she was 'shocked' by Gaetz's appointment. "I don't think it's a serious designation," added Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. "He is a talented lawyer, he will protect our borders, he will dismantle criminal organisations, he will end the use of the judiciary as a weapon and he will restore American confidence in the department," Trump said instead to justify a nomination that will have to be confirmed by the Senate where Republicans have a majority of only three seats. Yesterday, the Republican takeover of the House was also made official.

An ironclad Trumpian, 42 years old, fervent anti-abortionist, Congressman since 2016, Gaetz has never worked in the Justice Department or even as a prosecutor at any level of government. More: he has been investigated by the House Ethics Committee for sexual harassment, illicit drug use and attempts to tamper with evidence. But he was also Trump's main ally in ousting the Republican old guard from the House, guilty of being too soft on Democrats and seeking bipartisan deals on crucial issues like the debt. For Trump's inner circle of advisers, Gaetz could become a kind of vengeful minister, fit to clean house in government agencies: 'We're going to have to do something about those who have turned against our people. And if that means abolishing every agency with three letters, from the FBI to the Aft, I'm ready to do it,' Gaetz said, referring to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Firearms Bureau, which are under Justice. In line with America First, he will also have to support mass deportation of immigrants, obtain pardons for Trump supporters who stormed the House on 6 January 2021, and support aggressive interpretations of White House powers. He will then play a key role in closing all open federal cases against Trump and coming to terms with his opponents. "The witch hunt is over," the president-elect said. Gabbard, a candidate in the 2020 Democratic primary with Kremlin acclaim, is an equally controversial figure. She has never worked in intelligence, served in the National Guard, in medical departments. She has always clashed with the assessments of the intelligence network, which she will have to command. A staunch isolationist, on Ukraine she said that war would be avoided by acknowledging Vladimir Putin's concerns about Nato. She supported Moscow's theses - later denied - about US funding of military laboratories in Kiev. During the tragic war in Syria, he questioned Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons and met with the Damascus leader. The controversy over the choice of Gaetz and Gabbard has added to the controversy over the appointment of Pete Hegseth as Defence Minister: the face of Fox News may be called upon to select a special commission created to clean up the army, purging generals considered unreliable. Treasury and Commerce remain to be assigned: the favourites are financier Scott Bessent and tariff hawk Robert Lighthizer. But there could be more surprises on Trump's list. © REPRODUCTION RESERVED.