OPED By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
Donald Trump’s triumphant return to the political stage as President-elect has sent ripples through Washington’s corridors of power. With his bold promises to dismantle entrenched bureaucracies and hold corrupt officials accountable, Trump is signaling a dramatic shift for his second term.
His latest announcements – nominating Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General and former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence – have set the stage for what many predict will be a seismic transformation of the US justice and intelligence systems.
As allies cheer and critics warn of unprecedented challenges, Trump’s vision for a new America is already stirring intense debate and controversy.
Following President-elect Donald Trump’s landslide victory, many political heavyweights and powerful figures in the US administration, including federal agencies, are reportedly having sleepless nights. They fear that Trump’s second term will spell disaster for entrenched bureaucracies, corrupt individuals, and white-collar criminals.
Some prominent names mentioned include Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Liz Cheney, Antony Blinken, Merrick Garland, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and others.
On November 13, Trump announced his intention to nominate Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General and former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as his Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
These announcements sent “shockwaves,” as Elon Musk put it, and drew praise from Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters while being criticized by members of the establishment, leftists, and Republicans in Name Only (RINOs).
Analysts believe that appointing an “America First” Attorney General is crucial to Trump’s plans for a massive shake-up of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which has left many career officials within the department on edge.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Congressman Gaetz as a “deeply gifted and tenacious attorney” who would end “the partisan weaponization of our justice system.”
Political analyst Scott McKay noted in a Facebook post that Trump intends to make a recess appointment for Gaetz, positioning him as a “lightning rod” to overhaul the DOJ.
A Trump adviser told The Bulwark’s Marc Caputo: “None of the attorneys had what Trump wants, and they didn’t talk like Gaetz. Everyone else approached the role as if they were applying for a judicial appointment. They talked about their vaunted legal theories and constitutional concerns. Gaetz was the only one who said, ‘Yeah, I’ll go over there and start ‘cutting f—in’ heads.”
Matt Gaetz, 42, who flew with Trump from Florida to Washington on November 13, stated, “It would be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”
Shortly after the announcement, House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that Gaetz had resigned from Congress effective immediately, allowing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to call a special election to fill the seat. The seat is expected to remain Republican, with the election scheduled for January.
Oliver Wiseman of The Free Press remarked: “The left-wing critique is that Gaetz’s appointment is reckless and will be a disaster. Conservative critics argue that it’s unnecessary drama, given the other qualified names that were floated. Some speculate that Trump is playing 4D chess—knowing Gaetz won’t be confirmed and ultimately planning to nominate someone else. If Republican senators oppose Gaetz, they might be more willing to approve Trump’s subsequent picks. But this theory seems overly premeditated.”
Several Republican senators were surprised by Trump’s decision to nominate Gaetz.
“This one was not on my bingo card,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, adding that she doubted the nomination was serious.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she was shocked by the selection. “I’m sure there will be a lot of questions raised during his hearing.”
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina described Gaetz as smart and clever but acknowledged that he would face “tough questions” during a confirmation hearing.
“What better person to fix the Department of Injustice,” commented Congressman Bob Good of Virginia.
Democrats, meanwhile, reiterated their narrative of Trump being a threat to democracy.
“The Gaetz nomination is obviously a red alert,” said Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut. “It signals that everything Trump said on the campaign trail about using his power to target political enemies is coming to fruition. This nomination is a serious concern for democracy and the rule of law.”
The Wall Street Journal observed: “Trump has made it clear he wants to bring the Justice Department under closer presidential control, especially after years of clashes with the agency during investigations into him and his allies. Under the direction of special counsel Jack Smith, the DOJ prosecuted Trump for allegedly plotting to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling classified documents. With Trump’s re-election, these cases are expected to end.”
Trump’s nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as DNI also sparked controversy. Critics have pointed to her past comments perceived as favorable to Russia and China. Gabbard’s role would oversee the National Intelligence Program, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council while advising the president on sensitive intelligence matters.
Gabbard, one of Trump’s high-profile supporters during the campaign, emphasized Trump’s ability to restore US national security interests both domestically and internationally.
However, a senior congressional staffer expressed doubts about her ability to obtain a security clearance due to her previous associations with the Assad regime in Syria, an ally of Iran. Nonetheless, MAGA supporters argue that Gabbard would bring a much-needed break from traditional Republican policies.
Many view her appointment as poetic justice, given reports that she was once placed on a “secret terror watchlist” by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Now, she may run the nation’s intelligence apparatus.
Tom Rogan, a foreign policy writer for the Washington Examiner, strongly criticized Gabbard’s nomination, calling her “about the worst possible choice” for DNI.
“If Gabbard is approved, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will have an ideological sympathizer overseeing the US intelligence community. This is not an exaggeration,” Rogan wrote.
He highlighted her previous calls for ending the “destructive trade war with China,” her opposition to Trump’s withdrawal from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, and her criticism of US and NATO policies in Ukraine.
Trump’s announcements follow his demand that Congress recess, allowing him to make appointments without Senate approval.
Donald Trump’s bold nominations of Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard reflect his determination to reshape the US political landscape and challenge the status quo. While supporters hail these choices as necessary steps to drain the swamp and restore accountability, critics fear they may deepen political polarization and invite further controversy.
As Trump prepares for a transformative second term, his ability to deliver on his promises will undoubtedly define his legacy and shape the future of American governance. Whether his gambit succeeds or falters, one thing is certain: the era of Donald Trump’s presidency is far from conventional – and its impact will be felt for years to come.
- Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is an internationally acclaimed multi-award-winning journalist, writer, research scholar, counterterrorism specialist, and Editor of Blitz, a newspaper published in Bangladesh since 2003. He regularly writes for local and international newspapers. Follow him on X @Salah_Shoaib
- VIEWS PERSONAL OF THE AUTHOR
