Trump nominations: Gaetz and Hegseth amid accusations and controversy

Immediately criticised by the military leadership and the Democrats, the former Fox anchorman also raised perplexity among conservatives with his nomination. And now the scandal of the sexual assault allegations further complicates his confirmation process in the Senate, which appeared to be uphill from the very first bars.

The allegation dates back to 2017 during a conservative women's conference. Police in Monterey, California, confirmed the charge against Hegseth, who also allegedly caused a bruise to the victim.

He has flatly denied the allegations in the past and has also done so in the last few hours in front of Susie Wiles, the future White House chief of staff. Denials that, however, have not allayed the fears of many within the transition team, which is worried about the possibility of new revelations emerging.

Trump, through his spokesman, defended Hegseth: 'He is qualified. He has denied all the allegations, We look forward to his confirmation,' Steven Cheung, the president-elect's communications director, had dismissed the matter.

But it seems that before pointing him out, the tycoon had been informed about the allegations against the former anchor.

There was also no word on the tattoo of Hegseth, who on his biceps wrote 'Deus Vult', the cry 'God wills it' used by Christians during the Crusades. The expression was used by some of the 6 January attackers and is also embraced by the far right. 'It's a Christian motto,' Vice President-elect JD Vance cut in, trying to dampen the controversy.

But it is not only Hegseth in the storm. Indeed, the appointment of Matt Gaetz as Minister of Justice, as mentioned above, continues to cause controversy. Also weighing on him are sexual allegations, including relations with a minor.

The House Ethics Committee, which has long been investigating the case, did not release its long-awaited report on the former Florida congressman under pressure from House Speaker Mike Johnson. According to rumours, the report would include the testimony of a woman who allegedly witnessed the sexual intercourse between Gaetz and a 17-year-old girl.

Still deeply sunburned by the defeat, the Democrats are on the warpath and are preparing to do battle against the president's appointments in the knowledge that the Republican majority in the Senate is not so solid.

In addition to Gaetz and Hegseth, liberals point the finger at the choice of Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief and keep repeating, without offering evidence, that he is a Russian asset.

While looking ahead to the battle ahead of them in Congress, Democrats are working on a resistance plan to curb Trump. Abandoning the pink hats and mass protests of 2017, the liberals are aiming for a more determined opposition by leveraging liberal governors.

From California to Illinois, the great manoeuvres to create an anti-Trump coalition are underway. Not an easy task: deeply divided internally and frustrated with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats are dealing with a shattered party in search of a leader and grappling with the different interests of those who aspire to the White House in 2028. The list already includes Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Michigan's number one Gretchen Whitmer, whose ambitions have been deeply curtailed after the second defeat of a woman presidential candidate.